Should I store cigars without the cellophane?
To cellophane or not to cellophane. This is a subject of controversy among cigar smokers. Manufacturers wrap their cigars in cellophane to protect the delicate wrappers during shipment. Some experts claim that cigars will breathe better and age more quickly if stored without the cellophane wrapper.
Whether you take the wrapper on or off is a matter of preference. Cellophane is porous and will allow your cigars to age. They will also help your cigars maintain their humidity. Keeping the cellophane on is a good idea if you travel with your humidor or if you open your humidor very frequently. Some like to leave the cellophane on to limit the exchange between different tastes and aromas inside the humidor.
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16 customer comments
Cellophane wrappers are actually porous and will only help maintain humidity while inside your humidor even more, especially if you open it frequently. It also helps reduce the blending of different flavors if you have a variety in your humidor.
A Neptune User · 06/06/2021I draw the line today: To Cellophane! Thanks Neptune!
Anson B. · 10/15/2020Hmmmmm. But what about tinned cellophane wrapped cigars. Out of the tin but wrapped? In the tin wrapped? Im thinking of my Davidoff panetellas.
A Neptune User · 08/15/2020Brilliant & useful info
A Neptune User · 10/02/2019Exactly what I was looking for!
A Neptune User · 01/16/2019Very useful. Very detailed.
A Neptune User · 04/07/2018Thanks to all for your input. For some of us your experience is most valuable.
A Neptune User · 02/12/2018I have always left the cellophane on the cigars that come wrapped; and I have never had a problem with dry cigars. If you maintain your humidor properly (and are patient), wrapped cigars are just as wonderful as unwrapped ones in my experience. With all due respect to the previous author, smoking a cigar days after purchase is way too soon. I give all my cigars at least a month in the humidor before smoking.
A Neptune User · 09/28/2017Thank you for the succinct information! I had been leaving the cellophane on my cigars, but a lot of them still seem dry - even after several days (some of them weeks) in the humidor. I removed all cellophane in three of my humidor, and the cigars seem to taste a lot better. I made sure to group by flavor. The Kentucky Fire Cured stay in the cellophane; they have very strong and different flavors.
A Neptune User · 05/02/2017GOOD TO KNOW GC
A Neptune User · 10/04/2016I was wondering about this. Nice to see it covered in such depth.
Shawn P. · 04/29/2016Love the Cellophane resolution. Make the most sense of anything I've read. :)
A Neptune User · 07/21/2014Awesome. I love when sites that sell stuff also give you a free way to do something. You bet ill buy something from these guys.
A Neptune User · 10/01/2011a+
A Neptune User · 01/12/2010I wasn't aware of cellophane being porous however I prefer my cigars Naked in the humidor. I do leave a few with the wrapper on to transport them to keep the humidity level near seventy or so.
A Neptune User · 05/31/2009