Cellophane, Tubos, or Naked? Exploring Cigar Protection and Storage

When you purchase a premium cigar, it’s often encased in a protective cellophane layer, leading many enthusiasts to wonder: should you remove the wrapper before storing it in a humidor? At G.P.Grant, we take pride in our deep cigar expertise and are dedicated to sharing our insights with aficionados worldwide. From general cigar advice to advanced storage techniques, we’re here to guide you through every aspect of cigar care.

For lovers of fine tobacco, a vibrant array of cigar wrapper colors, shapes, sizes (known as vitolas), strengths, and flavor profiles awaits. However, storing and aging premium cigars in a properly calibrated humidor demands careful attention. One frequently overlooked aspect is packaging, which can significantly influence the quality of cigars during storage. The primary packaging options for premium cigars are limited to three: cellophane-wrapped, tubed (or tubos), and completely unprotected. So, which packaging method is best? Each option—cellophane, tubos, or naked—offers unique advantages and challenges. Let’s explore each in detail to help you make informed decisions when selecting and storing your cigars.

Cellophane-Wrapped Cigars

Understanding Cellophane

Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet crafted from regenerated cellulose, sourced from plant cell walls like cotton, wood, or hemp. Often mistaken for plastic, cellophane is a natural, biodegradable material widely used in food packaging for its ability to shield against grease, oil, water, and bacteria. Its semi-permeable nature, allowing water vapor to pass through, makes it an excellent choice for cigar packaging.

Invented in the early 1900s by Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger, cellophane was inspired by a wine spill on a tablecloth that sparked his quest for a waterproof coating. After over a decade of refinement, including adding glycerin to soften the material, Brandenberger named his creation “cellophane” in 1912, combining “cellulose” and “diaphane” (meaning transparent). By 1927, cellophane was first used for cigars in Tampa, Florida, and by 1934, it became standard in Cuba until the 1990s. Despite its higher production cost compared to petroleum-based plastics, cellophane remains the preferred material for cigar packaging due to its unique properties.

Why Cellophane for Cigars?

Cellophane is a cornerstone of modern cigar packaging, particularly for individually sold cigars. Unlike Cuban cigars, which ceased using cellophane in 1992, most premium cigars today are encased in this transparent material. In cigar factories, machines create cellophane tubes, and workers carefully insert individual cigars. This packaging protects cigars from handling damage in shops and slows drying, preserving freshness.

Cuban cigars stopped being wrapped in cellophane in 1992 during the “Special Period” (Período Especial), a severe economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Due to shortages of imported materials, including cellophane, producers were forced to discontinue its use. Additionally, the decision aligned with Habanos’ traditional philosophy, favoring the natural aging of cigars in cedar boxes, which enhances their aroma and character over time.

Cellophane’s semi-permeable nature creates a microclimate, allowing cigars to breathe and age gradually. Cigars stored in cellophane for 15–20 years often develop superior flavors compared to unwrapped cigars, as the wrapper moderates aging. It also shields cigars from climate fluctuations, reducing dehydration in dry environments and minimizing damage during transport. Unlike aluminum foil, used before cellophane, this transparent material lets consumers inspect a cigar’s wrapper and construction before purchase.

Storing Cigars in Cellophane

For short-term cigar storage or transport, it’s more convenient to keep the cellophane on. It protects the delicate wrapper, especially when carrying cigars in a pocket or travel case. You can remove the cellophane when placing cigars in a humidor but keep some wrappers for trips. Cigars in cellophane usually stay fresh for 1–3 months outside a humidor, depending on storage conditions and climate.

A common question is whether to remove the cellophane before putting cigars into a humidor. It depends on your goals.

Cellophane is a semi-permeable material: it allows water vapor to pass through tiny pores, enabling the cigar to absorb the necessary moisture. Therefore, storing cigars in cellophane inside a humidor is perfectly acceptable and does not interfere with maintaining proper humidity levels.

If you aim for richer and faster aging, it’s better to remove the cellophane. This improves moisture circulation and encourages the exchange of oils and aromas between cigars, creating a more complex flavor profile. This approach is especially relevant for long-term storage (several months or more).

If your goal is to preserve the original flavor and slow down aging, keep the wrapper on. Cellophane acts as a barrier, smoothing humidity fluctuations and limiting aromatic interaction with other cigars. This helps maintain a stable taste and appearance, especially during transport or short-term storage.

Important: Do not place cigars in cellophane too close to humidifying devices, as condensation may form inside the wrapper, damaging the wrapper leaf.

Conclusion:

For protection, flavor stability, and transport — it’s better to keep the cellophane on.

For accelerated aging and flavor development — it’s better to remove the cellophane.

Benefits of Keeping Cellophane On

• Physical Protection: Cellophane shields cigars from dust, dirt, and damage during handling or transport, acting as a buffer against shocks that could crack the wrapper.

• Hygienic Barrier: It prevents contamination from fingerprints or airborne particles, ensuring a clean smoking experience.

• Aging Indicator: Over time, cellophane turns yellow (known as “yellow cello”) due to the cigar’s oils and sugars, signaling a well-aged cigar.

• Microclimate: The semi-permeable wrapper allows slow moisture exchange, enabling cigars to stay fresh longer outside a humidor without drying out quickly.

• Retail Advantages: Cellophane supports barcoding, simplifying inventory management for retailers. Unlike tissue or rice paper alternatives, it balances protection with wrapper visibility.

Benefits of Removing Cellophane

• Enhanced Humidification: Unwrapped cigars absorb more moisture in a humidor, responding better to humidity fluctuations.

• Faster Aging: Without cellophane, cigars age more quickly, ideal for those who enjoy the evolved flavors of aged cigars after months or years.

• Flavor Exchange: Unwrapped cigars can exchange oils and aromas with others in the humidor, creating unique flavor profiles.

Does Cellophane Affect the Flavor of My Cigars?

Cellophane has a subtle influence on a cigar’s flavor, particularly in the short term, but its impact becomes more pronounced over extended aging periods. When cigars are stored in cellophane, the semi-permeable material creates a microclimate that limits the exchange of oils and aromas with other cigars in the humidor. This can result in a more consistent flavor profile, preserving the cigar’s original characteristics. In contrast, unwrapped cigars may absorb nuances from neighboring cigars, leading to a more complex or blended taste over time.

Cellophane in Retail

Cellophane offers practical benefits for retailers. It protects cigars during shipping, reducing the risk of wrapper damage if a box is dropped. It also minimizes the impact of improper handling by customers, preserving the cigar’s integrity. Barcodes on cellophane sleeves streamline inventory tracking and reordering, a significant advantage over manual counting. Some manufacturers use tissue or rice paper for partial wrapping, balancing protection with visibility, but cellophane remains the standard for its durability and transparency.

Tubos

What Are Tubos?

Cigar tubes, or tubos, are robust cylindrical containers designed for premium cigar preservation. Typically made from aluminum, plastic, or glass, tubos protect cigars from physical damage and contamination while offering convenient portability.

Aluminium tubos for cigars

Plastic and glass tubos for cigars

Stogie Security

Tubos provide superior protection against blunt impacts and wrapper scuffing. Whether made from aluminum, glass, or plastic, these containers shield cigars from sticky fingers and airborne contaminants. Cigar wrappers are prone to cracking under pressure, and tubos act as a sturdy barrier, ensuring the cigar remains intact during handling or transport.

Cylindrical Billboards

From a marketing perspective, tubos are eye-catching. Their bold designs, vibrant colors, and recognizable cigar bands serve as promotional platforms, attracting attention in retail settings. Many enthusiasts coordinate their tubos with their outfits, using them as stylish accessories akin to a pocket square or lapel pin.

Present Cigar Protection

Tubos make gifting cigars effortless and appealing. Their attractive designs eliminate the need for additional gift wrap and ensure the cigar arrives undamaged, avoiding the disappointment of presenting a cracked wrapper.

Concerns with Tubos

While tubos retain some humidity when sealed, cigars stored in them outside a humidor can dry out within a week or two, especially in arid conditions. Even tightly sealed, they’re not a substitute for a humidor’s consistent humidity. For humidor storage, remove the cap or open the tubo to allow proper humidification, as the container can block moisture entirely.

Tubed cigars age differently than those exposed to a humidor’s environment. Depending on your flavor preferences, this slower aging may be a benefit or a drawback. To enhance the aging process, consider adding a sheet of Spanish cedar inside the tubo. Commonly used in humidor interiors, Spanish cedar acts as a buffer between the cigar and the container’s walls and imparts a pleasant aromatic note. It can also be used as a spill for lighting cigars, adding a traditional touch.

Naked Cigars

The Unprotected Option

Unwrapped, or “naked,” cigars are the most vulnerable to damage. Whether it’s the foot, cap, barrel, or shoulder, these cigars require careful handling during selection, rotation, or transport to avoid wrapper damage. Despite this fragility, naked cigars offer unique advantages in humidor storage.

Benefits of Naked Cigars

• Optimal Humidification: Unprotected cigars respond best to humidity fluctuations, absorbing moisture efficiently in a humidor.

• Superior Aging: Naked cigars age more quickly and can develop complex flavors through oil and aroma exchange with other cigars in the humidor.

• Ease of Inspection: Without packaging, naked cigars are easier to assess for condition, making them ideal for meticulous monitoring in high-quality humidors like those from Case Elegance.

Storage Considerations

Handle naked cigars with care to prevent damage. For transport, consider a humidor travel case or a cigar pocket protector to provide a streamlined layer of security. These options accommodate most cigars, except perhaps larger coffins, and ensure safe travel.

STORING CIGARS LIKE A PRO: MASTERING CIGAR STORAGE

Comparison of Cigar Storage Methods: Cellophane, Aluminum Tubes, and Naked Cigars

Cellophane

✅ Pros:

• Breathable material — allows moderate air exchange.

• Protection from friction — cigars don’t get damaged when touching each other.

• Reduces moisture evaporation — helps retain humidity longer.

• Suitable for humidor storage — cigars “breathe” and maintain their properties.

❌ Cons:

• Less protection from mechanical damage — especially during travel.

• Not airtight; aroma can gradually dissipate during long-term storage.

Aluminum Tubo

✅ Pros:

• Protection from mechanical damage — cigars don’t break during transport.

• Good aroma preservation — especially if the tubo is airtight.

• Less affected by external factors — protects from humidity and temperature fluctuations.

• Convenient for travel — no separate humidor needed for short-term storage.

❌ Cons:

• Limited ventilation — cigars can dry out or “suffocate” if stored long-term without humidity control.

• Cannot see cigar condition without opening the tubo.

Naked Cigars (Unwrapped)

✅ Pros:

• Best humidification — quickly absorb moisture in a humidor.

• Faster aging — develop more complex aromas through oil exchange with other cigars.

• Easy to inspect — all defects and damages are visible immediately.

❌ Cons:

• Very fragile — easily damaged during transport or handling.

• Require careful storage — without protection, they can dry out or break.

Summary:

For humidor storage, cellophane or naked cigars are better — they allow cigars to breathe and maintain proper humidity, with naked cigars aging faster and revealing more aroma.

For travel, gifts, and short-term storage, tubos are preferable — they are durable, airtight, and protect cigars from damage.

Conclusion: Best Cigar Protection and Cigar Storage Options

Ultimately, whether you choose cellophane, tubos, or naked cigars, proper humidification is key. As long as cigars are stored in a calibrated humidor and protected from extreme temperatures, they should remain in excellent condition. Each cigar packaging method offers distinct benefits: cellophane balances protection and slow aging, tubos provide robust security and style, and naked cigars excel in humidification and flavor development. Your choice depends on your storage goals, travel habits, and flavor preferences.

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