Cigar Storage Question- Humidor Related

[TechMetalMan]

I am sure this has been discussed before- but I have read two different things.

My question is about how to store your cigars in the humidor- should you unwrap the cigars from their cellophane wrappers or tubos or leave them within?

I had read to unwrap so that they can absorb the humidity and moisture. But then I have read to keep them within their wrappers so that different cigars do not take on the characteristics of each other.

[rumballs]

try a search - this has been discussed ad infinitum.
personally: i leave in cello, and sometimes a bit of each for tubos (i don't buy many tubos)

[RPB67]

Cellophane protects cigars from losing too much humidity during transport. Within the humidor, however, the plastic foil is rather counter-productive for the preservation of an optimum humidity level. If cigars are placed in the humidor with the cellophane the cellophane should be opened at the ends to ensure oxygen circulation. Whether the cellophane should be removed or not is also a question of taste. On one hand, removing the cellophane supports the desired aging process of the cigar and is the preferred option from an aesthetic point of view. On the other hand, keeping the cellophane wrap on will protect cigars against the mixing of flavors of different cigar tobaccos. Consequently, if no divider is available for the humidor and the mix of flavors is to be prevented, then storing cigars with cellophane in the humidor might be an option.
Premium cigars are frequently delivered in a Spanish cedar wrapping. Ultimately, it is here also a question of personal preference whether to leave on the cedar wrapping, which intensifies the cedar aroma of the cigars, or to remove the wrapping before placing the cigars in the humidor.

[rumballs]

Originally Posted by RPB67

Cellophane protects cigars from losing too much humidity during transport. Within the humidor, however, the plastic foil is rather counter-productive for the preservation of an optimum humidity level.

You're right about circulation and flavor mixing - but the part quoted above I don't agree with. Sure, it may slow down humidity transfer very slightly, but ultimately, it's not sealed, so I don't think a simple cellophane wrapper does much to hold in or keep out humidity (unless you're talking about sealed cellophane on MM cigars). That's why we ship cigars in ziplock bags.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Check out this podcast.

Doc

[Secret Santa]

Some info from Cheap Humidors:

" Daily I get asked, "Should I remove the wrapper from my new cigars
before I store them in my humidor?" The simple answer: It doesn't
matter.

You may think that the plastic prevents the cigar from getting
humidity, but they won't. The cellophane is used to prevent the
cigars from being damaged, and it also deters against flavors
mixing. But what many people don't know is that cellophane is
actually a porous material, so it allows humidity to pass through
it.

Want an example? Take a cigar in the wrapper and leave it outside
your humidor for a week. You might as well throw it away, because
it'll be ruined. The wrapper didn't hold in the humidity; it did
nothing at all, really. So it isn't hard to see how the wrapper
doesn't really affect the humidity of the cigar.

It comes down to personal preference. Some people like them on;
some people like them off. The advantage of keeping them on is that
your cigar flavors won't mingle as much, though you probably won't
notice unless you're an expert. It also is great to cut your cigars
with the wrappers on, as it keeps the blade clean and sharp much
longer."

[illuminatus]

Did someone forget which account they were logged in under?

[Hammerhead]

Cello on for me, for the reasons noted, and because it protects my smokes from damage while rooting around in the humidor looking for what I want. It also provides a layer of protection should there be a beetle outbreak.

[whiteboard]

Originally Posted by TechMetalMan

I am sure this has been discussed before- but I have read two different things.

My question is about how to store your cigars in the humidor- should you unwrap the cigars from their cellophane wrappers ...

It depends upon your goals...

MRN cites side by side case studies of cigars with cello on and cello off after long term aging. His conclusion is that cigars with the cello on age much more gracefully and taste significantly better.

-----------------

"All 15 or 20 year old Havana Cigars in cellophane happen to taste much better. It is possible that as time goes by, the oils deposited on the cellophane prevent leakage of large organic molecules and creates a mini "wine-in-a-bottle" effect.

Nonetheless cellophane no doubt delays maturation. Removing the cellophane accelerates the aging process, and is not an unwise decision for people who cannot wait."