Should a cigar wrap be removed before the cigar is placed in the humidor?

Question

I just bought a box of 25 cigars and i want to know if the individual wraps should be removed before placing the cigars inside the humidor.

Answer 1

This depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

If the cigars are going to be smoked fairly quickly then it does not matter.

Cellophane wrappers inhibit the flavor marrying process. This is only a problem if you plan to age your cigars.

I like my "finer" cigars (the ones I collect) to age a bit and have a chance for the flavors to marry together. So for these ones, after I have made sure they do not have tobacco beetles, I will move them to my ageing humidor. This process is when I will remove the cellophane wrappers (keeping them in the wrapper helps find beetles), but the bands I leave on for identification and souvenirs for friends who smoke.

Most cigars that are bought have not been aged properly, and have not had a chance for the flavor to marry. Sure the tobacco may have been aged as leafs on a pallet, but cigars are normally made from multiple tobacco samples (different pallets). Because of this the flavors of the individual cigars can vary, even in the cigars contained in single box. Allowing these cigars some time to sit and have their flavors normalize between each other can provide a better experience across all the cigars in a box.

There are some cigars that have been packaged for this ageing process already, they do not have cellophane wrappers on, and are bound in a tight bundle with a ribbon or twine. Typically there will be a paper lining between the ribbon and the cigars. This type of bundle is meant to be taken home and removed from the box and put on a shelf in a humidor for ageing.

Sometimes I will put cigars of like taste together so that the flavors can permeate between the lots. Or I will put milder cigars with other cigars that I want them to pick some of the flavor up from. If I do not want flavor to cross over between cigar types I will put small sheets of Spanish Cedar between them.

Remember though that the ultimate goal is enjoyment, and if keeping the wrappers on or the cigars in a tube allow you to enjoy it more the keep them on. Also if you buy cigars individually you will not benefit much from this process.

Answer 2

Cellophane serves a number of purposes on a cigar -- in states that require each and each cigar to have a warning label, besides as struggling with injury to the cigars from extreme coping with in cigar shops. yet as quickly as you have offered the cigar and are putting it on your humidor, we sell you eliminate the cellophane. Cellophane will forestall humidity from achieving the cigar, and you will discover the cigars will respond to humidification greater desirable if the overwrap has been bumped off. the same holds actual for cigar tubes, no count if glass or aluminum; those tubes will thoroughly close off a cigar to humidification if left on. although, in case you ought to delivery your cigars (which contain in a coat pocket), it somewhat is a robust thought to maintain some tubes or cellophane overwraps on hand to guard the cigars for the period of delivery. so some distance as bands are in touch, it somewhat is a controversy of private decision. some people % to eliminate them, yet whilst achieveable, we usually % to maintain the bands on (exterior of our tasting concepts, of direction). First, it makes figuring out the cigars lots greater elementary, and it additionally prevents inadvertent injury to the cigar's wrapper that could happen on the same time as removing the band.

Answer 3

It's a matter of personal taste, but there is no need to. If the humidity is too high the bands can pop off on their own, but by that time your stogies are probably ruined, as well. Also, there is the chance of tearing the wrapper

Answer 4

It doesnt matter i dont think, Its going to stay moist no matter if the wraps on or not. If you want a professional opinion, go to your local tobacoonist, they should be able to help you out.

Answer 5

Great question. I'm stumped. check it out at your local / favourite cigar shop.

Answer 6

No. Don't remove the wraps. They should be kept as is.