The shinyness to cigars.

[CigarScentedBeard]

Figured I drop in this question. I'm sitting at a solid 65 rh. It seems like if I leave a box of cigars open in the humidor, they look dry and no shiny cigars in the box. If I close the cigar box for a week or two, bam! All shiny. Leave it open, bum bum bum dry looking leather. They smoke great and taste the same either way.

 

I've never noticed they do this. Does anyone have a reason why?

[Rrm7284]

No idea, but good question. I’m definitely ready for a science lesson


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mt1]

Well that's interesting, I can't say I've found the same but I haven't tried to look closely.

You best send us some shiny and non-shiny sticks so we can test them out for you.

[nKostyan]

I suppose that cigars is highlighting essential oil, which give a strong taste that we all appreciate when choosing an oily wrapper. In a limited space, oil is accumulate, evaporate in an open box. Aficionados do not recommend the use of forced air circulation in the humidor for this reason - cigars are blown and lose flavor. NC Packed in cellophane including to preserve flavor. Most NC without individual packaging degrade in taste after 1-2 years. CC resistant and retain the taste and aroma for many years, but they are recommended to be stored in a closed original packaging.

[Islandboy]

1 hour ago, nKostyan said:

NC Packed in cellophane including to preserve flavor. Most NC without individual packaging degrade in taste after 1-2 years.

I can attest to this. After discovering CC's about 3 years ago, I foolishly figured the cellphane on some of my more prized NC's was holding them back. I removed the cellophane on half a box each of Anejo 48's and 888's. Those sticks now taste like cardboard. The ones still covered are faring much better. You live, you learn. 

[bsubtown]

To piggyback on this post I always crack my boxes for a few weeks after arrival to, theoretically, get them ramped up to the right RH faster. Am I overthinking it?

[SCgarman]

17 hours ago, nKostyan said:

I suppose that cigars is highlighting essential oil, which give a strong taste that we all appreciate when choosing an oily wrapper. In a limited space, oil is accumulate, evaporate in an open box. Aficionados do not recommend the use of forced air circulation in the humidor for this reason - cigars are blown and lose flavor. NC Packed in cellophane including to preserve flavor. Most NC without individual packaging degrade in taste after 1-2 years. CC resistant and retain the taste and aroma for many years, but they are recommended to be stored in a closed original packaging.

Non Cubans are not wrapped in cello to "preserve flavor". It is done mainly to protect the cigars, especially when sold as singles. I have always removed it and never had any problems with loss of flavors, and I have been in this game for 30 years. BTW some NC companies box their cigars naked like Cubans. Padron Anniversary series is one example.

[nKostyan]

Non Cubans are not wrapped in cello to "preserve flavor". It is done mainly to protect the cigars, especially when sold as singles. I have always removed it and never had any problems with loss of flavors, and I have been in this game for 30 years. BTW some NC companies box their cigars naked like Cubans. Padron Anniversary series is one example.

My fault. You're right. Not only to preserve the taste, humidity and protection from pests. Also some manufacturers use it for protection singles. This can be read from Trevor's website. The pioneer of cellophane individual packaging-Cuban cigar manufacturers. There were CC single sales, but it was either a cardboard box or a wooden pencil case.

Single sales in cellophane packaging - is an invention for NC promotion and popularity cigars. As for the loss of taste and aroma - it is summarised opinions of many NC smokers, but it doesn't affect to all NC cigars, there are exceptions.

 

[PapaDisco]

12 hours ago, bsubtown said:

To piggyback on this post I always crack my boxes for a few weeks after arrival to, theoretically, get them ramped up to the right RH faster. Am I overthinking it?

I think that makes sense particularly with tubos.  Not sure it matters for cabs and dress boxes.  It's not that they universally need to come up in humidity, but rather adjust to your storage conditions in a manner that does not generate condensation.  A tubo that was packed in a warmer, higher humidity setting is going to be a mold factory in a lower temperature environment.

[Derboesekoenig]

12 hours ago, nKostyan said:

 

Single sales in cellophane packaging - is an invention for NC promotion and popularity cigars. As for the loss of taste and aroma - it is summarised opinions of many NC smokers, but it doesn't affect to all NC cigars, there are exceptions.

 

Negative ghostrider. Habanos began packaging in cellos. Mostly discontinued the use now, but it used to be most cigars came that way.

[CigarScentedBeard]

On 2/28/2019 at 10:51 AM, bsubtown said:

To piggyback on this post I always crack my boxes for a few weeks after arrival to, theoretically, get them ramped up to the right RH faster. Am I overthinking it?

I do the exact same thing. I take one out and smoke it upon arrival (stop judging... I have no patience.) The put a boved pack on top for a few days. After the few days I remove the pack and close it up.

[nKostyan]

Negative ghostrider. Habanos began packaging in cellos. Mostly discontinued the use now, but it used to be most cigars came that way.

I found no mention anywhere that HSA cellophane cigars were sold single. I think it was not accepted as a single sale of cigarettes ‍

[Derboesekoenig]

10 hours ago, nKostyan said:

I found no mention anywhere that HSA cellophane cigars were sold single. I think it was not accepted as a single sale of cigarettes ‍

Habanos S.A. was formed in 1994 sir.

"Cellophane sleeving of cigars commenced in Cuba in the mid-1930s and until c1992, most Cuban cigars (even Cohibas) were available in cellophane sleeves.
Since c1992 the use of cellophane sleeving was restricted to machine-made cigars, which were discontinued by Habanos c2002/2003. Cellophane is now used only for ICT machine-made Puritos."

[CigarScentedBeard]

27 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Habanos S.A. was formed in 1994 sir.

"Cellophane sleeving of cigars commenced in Cuba in the mid-1930s and until c1992, most Cuban cigars (even Cohibas) were available in cellophane sleeves.
Since c1992 the use of cellophane sleeving was restricted to machine-made cigars, which were discontinued by Habanos c2002/2003. Cellophane is now used only for ICT machine-made Puritos."

What was the reasoning for them stopping?

[nKostyan]

I think cellophane packaging is extra work for the factory. Given the growth in production, this was likely to hinder productivity.

[KnightsAnole]

The debate over cello on or off has been going on for years if not decades in the NC world. It does not protect against bugs. I’ve seen pics were the little critters chew right through the cello. It is also not air tight. Protection seems the sole-primary reason for them. 

[DaBoot]

Assuming oil retention is at play with lid closed, protecting the wrapper, with lid open, more exposed to air..... personally I keep lids closed