Why so many people wrap the cigar boxes with plastic bag then put them into a cigar cabinet humidor? What's the benefit about this?

[Sukie]

Question: Why so many people wrap the cigar boxes with plastic bag then put them into a cigar cabinet humidor? What's the benefit about this?

This is called sealed storage (Pls do not seal the plastic bag completely, leave a gap).

Features: With sealing storage, the cigar will breathe less and mature slowly.

Benefits:  Sealing storage will retain the cigar flavor better, but the disadvantage is that some unpleasant odors (ammonia) are also retained together. Removing the ammonia before sealing storage will be better. 

Another advantage of sealing storage is that the humidity will be relatively constant, and microorganisms will always grow in one direction under a certain humidity.

That is to say, the flavor in this direction will be more obvious. If it changes frequently, the microbiota will change the flavor of the cigar. In the end, the main flavor of the cigar will not be obvious.

Experience on cigar aging: Some old cigars that are well aged can also be mixed with new cigars for a period of time, so that the high-quality flora can infect the new cigars, and it is easy to cultivate a good taste.

Question: What are the specialties of new cigars and old cigars (sealed storage)?

Option 1: I personally prefer 3-5 years old cigars wrapped in plastic wrap, and new cigars are kept in the original box

Option 2: For old cigars, aging them at high humidity and low temperature (19℃ 72%), because old cigars do not need to consider the issue of maturity, and preservation of flavor is the key.

For the new cigar, I prefer 23℃-65% (it is almost over the safe value), but it's OK. The most important thing is to ensure the climate of the storage environment shall be stable.

Scheme 3: New cigars can be kept in a relatively safe range with high temperature and low humidity for a period, and then sealed storage.

 

Welcome to share your ideas.

[smbauerllc]

Excellent information.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

[Puros Y Vino]

This has been discussed here a few times.  Some ziploc their boxes, some use Saran wrap or glassine.  The idea is to slow down the aging process. This isn't an exact science as each cigar's blend will vary and the palate of the smoker varies too.  The seal also helps regulate the RH transfer to the contents especially in places where there is more RH in a humidor in some spots. (ie closer proximity to the humidifier).

The "high-quality flora can infect" notion concerns me.  Are you talking about encourage plume (more commonly  known as mold) to form?

[smbauerllc]

This has been discussed here a few times.  Some ziploc their boxes, some use Saran wrap or glassine.  The idea is to slow down the aging process. This isn't an exact science as each cigar's blend will vary and the palate of the smoker varies too.  The seal also helps regulate the RH transfer to the contents especially in places where there is more RH in a humidor in some spots. (ie closer proximity to the humidifier).
The "high-quality flora can infect" notion concerns me.  Are you talking about encourage plume (more commonly  known as mold) to form?

I'm not really an aged Cigar guy, as I just don't find them to be better than recent production, just different.

Plus, its hit or miss on how long to age them as i have had some over 10 years old that were bland and flavorless, so I don't age any of my cigars, and don't seek out aged ones, but I'm curious about it, so mu question is: why would you want to slow down the aging process by wrapping the boxes?
Why not just leave them unwrapped and have them age faster?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Puros Y Vino]

5 minutes ago, smbauerllc said:

why would you want to slow down the aging process by wrapping the boxes?
Why not just leave them unwrapped and have them age faster?
 

I think with the first question, it might be a matter of inventory.  If you go deep on a particular cigar that you smoke often and you have a personal "sweet spot" let's say 5-7 years of age.  You might want to slow that down so it stays in the sweet spot as long as possible while you whittle down your inventory of that particular cigar.   Once again, not an exact science more of a smoker preference.

As for the second question.  Similar answer, to each smoker a particular box of cigars may not have long aging "legs" so they might be a candidate for wrapping to keep them in the sweet spot the smoker enjoys.  I think MRN made this observation (too lazy to go look it up right now ) as well. 

Bottom line. Aging is in the palate of the beholder (to paraphrase a well known saying)