The topic of cellophane is a regular occurrence in cigar communities.  Most new hobbyists want to know if it’s optimal to put their recently purchased cigars to bed either naked or in pajamas, so to speak.  While the decision boils down to your personal preference (spoiler alert!) we’ve talked to some folks in the industry to help you make up your mind.

What is cellophane?

Cellophane is a biodegradable, clear, protective sleeve that some manufacturers apply to their cigars before boxing them up for distribution. The prefix cello comes from cellulose, a component of plants that we were supposed to pay attention to in school. True cellophane (not polypropylene) is porous, meaning that it allows for necessary moisture and air to flow in and out of the cigar.

Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust:

Cigars breathe better without cellophane, but if you’re not using polypropylene it’s permeable to air.

They provide a tremendous amount of protection for the cigars. They help to mitigate the shock of not just wrapper damage, but also fluctuations in humidity because the cellophane kind of slows down the transfer.  Overall, you can actually get cigars to be much more stable for long term aging within cellophane sleeves. 

What’s this I’m hearing about Polypropylene? 

Polypropylene is sometimes used synonymously with cellophane because it largely serves the same purpose.  It’s an inexpensive plastic film that’s used to protect other things, but due to its nature polypropylene isn’t popular with food or cigars.

Claudio Sgroi, Mombacho Cigars:

Cigars are made by natural tobaccos and that's why our cellophane is made by 100% natural cellulose, this symbiosis allows our cigars to breath and to age perfectly.

If you’re concerned that your cigars have been wrapped in plastic instead of premium cellophane, there’s an easy test to figure out what you’ve got.  Simply remove the cello from your cigar, fold it in half, and give it a quick crease. If it quickly returns to its previous shape, you’ve got plastic.  If it creases and holds the new shape, you’ve got cellophane.

Who should keep cellophane on their cigars?

• Those that move their cigars around often for travel or personal preference
• Those that plan on shipping these cigars in the future
• Those that keep different varieties of singles together in drawers or humidors
• Those that want their cigars to maintain more of their individual oils
• Those that want to, for no other reason than that

Fred Rewey, Nomad Cigar Company:

On. If you take it off, the cigars will slightly marry. The cello breaths so it’s all good for slow aging.

Two Davidoff Special Double R's from 2009.  The cigar in cellophane (right) is noticeably darker than the cigar without cellophane (left).

Who should remove cellophane from their cigars?

• Those that want their cigars to interact more with their environment (including other cigars)
• Those that are taking pictures for social media (knock-knock, it’s the Glare Police)
• Those that want to, for no other reason than that

Spencer Drake, White Hat Cigars:

I have a personal preference, and I keep everything in cellophane that I plan on smoking quickly. Stuff that I plan on aging for a long period of time, I’ll open the boxes, take the cellophane off, and put them back in.

The decision is yours

We appreciate that more and more manufacturers are beginning to use cellophane these days.  This enables you, the cigar enthusiast, to both make your own decision about storage and have peace of mind when making a purchase.  ­

Andrew, Small Batch Cigar:

More cigars are being sold online than ever before, and that puts more stress on the cigars without cellophane during transit.  And then there’s limited editions that travel directly from the factory to the distribution center to the retailer and finally to your home.  That’s two or three weeks on the road.  Non-stop.  

Like many other discussions in the cigar community, there isn’t a clear right or wrong answer.  Although, if asked, we'll continue to tell everyone that cellophane offers many benefits without sacrificing performance.  But personal preference always wins in our hobby, and for good reason - it's no one elses experience but yours.  

Tell us!  What's your preference in the great cellophane debate?