Wrappers or not?

[Stevieboy]

Sorry, but how does Cello breath?? It's not purus??

I think that's the point Cohiba. In MRN's book he says something about volatile complex organic compounds being unable to escape thus affecting the aging in a different way to non-cello aged smokes. According to him, aged cello-wrapped cigars taste much better......I never keep them long enough to find out

[Stevieboy]

Maybe senor Stevieboy, maybe. I wasn't born yet.

So, where'd you find the pic of an "authentic" Cohiba in Cello?

Names TJ, TJCoro, and I'm skeptical but open to new info.

Hi TJ - I love this site: CSW. Utterly packed with info. I don't think there's anything this site doesn't know about post-revolution Cubans. It's like MRN's book but constantly updated. In fact, I'll maybe post this link in the main forum pages in case anyone's missed it

[TJCoro]

Authentic Cubans in Cello?

Minor update to the cello debate.

I recently learned that some low-end cuban cigars do, in fact, come wrapped in cellophane. I forgot about these babies because I never smoke them - time is precious...why waste it on a shitty cigar

So for me, TJ's Rule No. 1 stands - If it comes in Cello, leave it for the other fellow. Of course, this does not apply to Mr. Larry.

Names TJ, TJCoro, and I prefer naked puros.

[Boss Hog]

Sorry, but how does Cello breath?? It's not purus??

That was what I was thinking about in the first place, would they not get the full benefit of the humidification if they were wrapped?

[TJCoro]

I think that's the point Cohiba. In MRN's book he says something about volatile complex organic compounds being unable to escape thus affecting the aging in a different way to non-cello aged smokes. According to him, aged cello-wrapped cigars taste much better......I never keep them long enough to find out

Here is an example of cubans in cello http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/hoyo-triun...0s-p-6549.html

Looks like it Ramon. Apparently some premium cuban puros did, at one time, come in cello. The puros in the link are from 1970s. According to senor Stevieboy, this was the practice up until the early 90s. And some of the lower-end cigars still do come in cello, but who cares about them...I'm sure no one here smokes them.

To the best of my knowledge, however, the high end premium puros, like the Cohiba, Trinidad, and Montys no longer use cello, except for the counterfeits. Rule No. 1 stands.

Names TJ, TJCoro, always on the learn.

[Bender]

That was what I was thinking about in the first place, would they not get the full benefit of the humidification if they were wrapped?

That is correct. The humidor will penetrate the cigar and if things all go right you will get plume and next thing you know you're in cigar heaven.

After thinking about it, the only reason I'd see a benefit of leaving the cellophane on is it might quaratine a tobacco beetle that hatched. But I've been lucky enough to never have one of them buggers yet...knock on wood!!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Sorry, but how does Cello breath?? It's not purus??

This is a pretty good article from Cigar adviser. Leaving cello on is a personal option and there are differing opinions on the merits of leaving on or stripping them down. I have a cabinet Humidor with about 1200 cigars. I leave it on for slower aging, to keep flavors from mixing and for protection, but it's totally a personal choice. What works for me may not work for you or be what you want to achieve.


When Didier asked me to suggest a topic for his first column, I recommended covering something I'm asked about most often, which is whether or not to keep the cellophane wrappers on cigars in your humidor. What follows is more than just a simple answer. With his scientific eye for facts, Didier delves into the "how" and "why" behind using cellophane to protect cigars.
- G.K.
Let's begin by answering the question, "What is cellophane?" Cellophane results as a natural transparent sheet generated by a chemical and physical treatment of a viscous solution of wood or cotton cellulose (the carbohydrate constituents of plant cells). It's used to wrap cigars because the membrane's porosity allows gaseous exchanges between the cigar and its environment; and its solidity confers a solid protection.
The use of cello from the perspective of the cigar industry can be understood by looking at the following areas:
Production ? Even if the passionate eye can barely discern the beauty of a lush wrapper leaf through this protective membrane, some manufacturers see the cello as essential protection for their cigars from the hands of the rollers to the aficionados. Dressing a cigar in cellophane reduces the detrimental impacts of various distribution adversities such as transport shocks, humidity or temperature changes. Moreover, the cello can be an effective tool for bar-coding.
Retail ? One of the novice's very first perceptions of a cigar's quality is tactile. Often times, many aficionados will not consider purchasing the cigar before touching it, and choose to evaluate its rolling quality before making their decision. Unfortunately, not all novices know Jose Marti's maxim, "The cigar, you should treat it as if it was a delicate Lady." So, an unprotected cigar can be quickly damaged by a careless consumer. To avoid this, the use of cello as protection makes the most sense. Also, if not physically damaging to the wrapper, dirty or soapy hands can negatively affect the aroma of the leaf. It is also worth mentioning that in the rare case of tobacco beetle infection, though the Lasioderma can drill through the natural outer wrapper's membrane, the cellophane can keep them contained.
The Consumer ? You can say that a "relationship" is developed between cigar smokers and their cigars. The cigar is admired, touched, smelled, and finally put against the lips to be tasted. As this relationship can be very intimate and sensual, cigar smokers do not want to taste cigars that have been touched! The cello can be considered hygienic protection against "the uninvited unknown" that could have potentially violated the "virginity" of the yet-to-be-tasted cigar. Additionally, depending on the conditions while handling or traveling with cigars before they're smoked, cellophane helps keep them in good condition for at least a couple of hours or more.
Home Aging ? Since tobacco undergoes slow fermentation, aging is more effective when the tobacco mass is greater. In other words, the more cigars in the humidor, the better the aging process will be. So, knowing that any membrane ? even if porous ? is a barrier to chemical exchanges, the cello actually reduces this highly desirable and beneficial phenomenon.
For that matter, if you want to limit the transfer of dominant aromas between adjacent cigars in the humidor, the cello can be seen as a positive barrier. If the objective is aging cigars individually for a long period, some consider the cello to be a good option because the aromas maintained are more confined around the cigar. However, in cases where a number of cigars are conserved together in optimal conditions ? as in aging an entire box ? having the cigars "naked" is probably better for the aging process.
So in conclusion, yes, the cellophane protects your cigars against the adversities of distribution and handling, even if it visually curtains the beauty of the wrapper. But when aging cigars ideally in your humidor, the dynamic of the process is reduced when the cigars are maintained in cellophane.
Whether cello is optimal or not on your cigars really depends on what you have and want: the type of cigars, their number, their homogeneity, and your conservation goal and timeframe. The best answer is to develop your own experience. Take similar cigars with and without cello, age them separately for some time, and then taste the difference! ?

[TJCoro]

WTF!!!

Muva' F'er...

Put some spaces in that post, senor Rufus!!!*

Names TJ, TJCoro, and I getting dizzy from reading your post!

*Good information senor Rufus, Gracias!