You’re here because you appreciate the deep, enriched flavours of a well-kept cigar.
The first step to ensuring that your cigars maintain their quality and distinctive taste is storing them correctly, and that’s where humidors come in.
Now, you may be wondering whether you should take your cigars out of the cellophane wrapper before sticking them in your humidor.
You have aficionados on both sides passionately putting forward their arguments.
But guess what?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
It’s more than about whether the cellophane stays on or off; it’s about how you prefer your cigars to age and how much effort you’re willing to put into their upkeep.
I’m here to help you navigate the maze of opinions, with a light shedding on the pros and cons of each approach. So every puff remains a testament to your impeccable cigar upkeep.
In my opinion, it comes down to personal choice…
Some swear by unwrapping their cigars to let them ‘breathe’ and mature with dignity inside the humidor.
Others cling to the protective layer like a shield, preserving individual character and fending off the potential harms of mingling aromas.
But before you decide which camp you fall into, let’s figure out why this decision matters in the first place. A good understanding of the role humidors play in the life of a cigar will better equip you to make this choice.
Isn’t it crucial to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, the impact it might have, and how it could enhance or detract from your cigar experience?
That’s going to include looking into what a humidor is precisely and the environment it creates for your coveted collection.
So let’s take a closer look at the pivotal role humidors play in preserving the integrity and taste of your sticks.
Your Humidors’ Role in Cigar Longevity
A humidor is not just a box; it’s a controlled climate haven for your cigars.
Maintain stable temperatures and humidity levels at around 65-72% and your humidor will prevent your cigars from drying out or becoming too moist.
Too much humidity and your cigars might become susceptible to mould or a tight draw due to expansion; too little and they could dry out, lose essential oils and flavour and even crack.
The humidor’s job is to prevent these extremes, providing a stable environment that nurtures the cigars’ complex flavours.
Consider a humidor as a tool for a slow, controlled ageing process, allowing the flavours of the cigars to meld and mature over time.
That’s going to include regulating not just moisture, but also the flow of air and the overall consistency of conditions. How you choose to store your cigars within this environment – wrapped or unwrapped – can and will influence these factors.
So now let’s talk about just how that works.
The Case For Unwrapping Cigars: Pros & Cons
It’s no secret that cigars need to breathe, and some connoisseurs believe that unwrapping allows the cigars to better acclimate to the humidity within the humidor.
This can potentially lead to a more evenly humidified cigar and, some argue, enhance the ageing process by allowing the tobaccos to marry more intimately.
But there’s more to unwrapping than just humidity control. When cigars are allowed to mingle with one another, it might also intensify the flavours by sharing the oils and aromas among them.
On the flip side, remember, unwrapping your cigars does come with its own set of risks.
Without their protective wrappers, cigars may become vulnerable to the swings in the humidity of their environment, and they are more susceptible to damage from handling or neighbouring cigars.
Plus, if your humidor isn’t perfectly regulated, unwrapped cigars can dry out or become too moist more easily.
Do what works for you. While the potential for enriched flavour profiles can be tempting, make sure you’re equipped to handle the extra care that unwrapped cigars require.
The Case For Wrapping Cigars: Pros & Cons
Keeping your cigars wrapped helps to retain moisture within the cigar and avoids extreme humidity fluctuations.
They also help stop cigar flavours from intermingling with each other and make handling cigars easier with less risk of damaging or cracking delicate cigars.
On the other hand, some aficionados argue that cigars age more slowly when kept in cellophane.
Wrapped Vs Unwrapped Cigars: Bottom Line
After walking through the nuances of both unwrapping and keeping cigars wrapped before placing them in a humidor, it’s clear that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
Personally, I like to keep my cigars in the protective wrapper if they come in one. I’ve heard way too many horror stories about mould and bugs spreading like wildfire.
The ultimate decision stems from what resonates with you and your cigar experience.
And don’t worry too much about getting it perfect on the first try. You can always adjust your approach down the road based on what you find suits your tastes and maintenance routine.
Experiment with a few cigars in different conditions and take note of the changes you observe.
Are they ageing as you expected?
Is the flavour profile developing to your liking?
These observations are crucial in shaping your cigar storage preferences.
I encourage you to take what you’ve learned today and apply it little by little.
Different cigars may respond uniquely to various storage methods, and part of the enjoyment of cigars is discovering those subtleties.
Engage with other cigar enthusiasts and learn from their experiences too.
Ultimately, whether you choose to unwrap or keep your cigars wrapped before placing them in a humidor, the goal is to preserve the craft of the cigar and enjoy the moments of relaxation it offers.
Trust your instincts, and remember, the journey of cigar enjoyment is as personal as the choice of cigar itself.
Do You Keep Your Cigars Wrapped?
Or do you take them out of the wrapper before putting them in your humidor?
Either way – tell us in the comments and let’s keep the conversation going! ??
