Are we giving too much credit to the protective benefit of tubos in long-term aging?

[StoagieSnape]

Let's ruffle some feathers: If a cigar is presumably stored in a stable 62–65% RH environment, does the metal tube really enhance aging? What if it actually impedes proper aging by restricting air exchange and further slowing ammonia dissipation?

Final thoughts from a contrarian: Is the tubo an ideal preservation capsule… or just an aesthetic relic that collectors have mythologized that is at best a protective travel companion?

[Ford2112]

It has merit

 

[Chibearsv]

Depends what you mean by “enhance aging”. There are a lot of members that vacuum seal their cigar boxes to slow the aging process and keep the cigars vibrant for a longer period of time. That’s enhancing the aging process for them. I think the tubos can have that same sort of benefit but probably not to the same extent as a good vacuum seal. They may be a good middle ground for retaining vibrancy while mellowing cigars for a longer period.

[zacca]

Yeah as @Chibearsv said, enhance is a subjective term. What it does objectively is slow aging. Whether that is good or bad is up to who is doing the aging.