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Last post 20 years ago by Robby. 10 replies replies.
tangential cello question
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arwings Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, Jul 17 2003, 6:41 PM EST
Joined: 02-09-2003
Posts: 950
This is actually a serious post despite all the joking I have done about cello. I am not talking about single cigars or 5-packs. I am talking about boxes. I have quite a few boxes I am storing in my igloodors, i.e., a 120 quart marine model, and two 70 quart models. In the research I have done the opinion seems to be pretty much split and are equally adamant: 50% say it doesn't really matter if you leave the cello on the boxes (it made even enhance the aging as the humidified environment maintains a constant RH outside the box) and the other 50% says that leaving the cello on the box can result in excessive humidification, moisture collecting inside the box, etc., all of which can have a detrimental effect on the cigars.

This may at first glance appear to be a trivial question, but when several hundreds of dollars worth of cigars are at stake, it becomes worrisome issue. I want to solicit the opinions from the knowledgeable folks on the board because I want to provide the best environment possible for long term storage of cigars.

In your collective opinion; are you better off storing BOXES long term with the cellophane off or on, or does it matter? Thanks in advance.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, Jul 17 2003, 7:09 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
arwings

if i post cello on, some ome will post cello off. if i post celllo off, someone will post cello on. that's assuming any onw will respond to a cello question.

i suggest you find some sites that sell 40 and 50 year old cigars. if you can't see the open boxes. ask the website if they were stored with cello on or off. don't tell them why, they will figure you to be a maven of cigars and probably answer your inquiry.
limoric Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, Jul 17 2003, 7:41 PM EST
Joined: 03-08-2001
Posts: 623
Cigar boxes in Cuba don't have cello on. They've been doin it a long time.
arwings Offline
#4 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 8:43 AM EST
Joined: 02-09-2003
Posts: 950
OK..OK...you're right. My paranoia gets out of control sometimes when I read the pros and cons posts. I start ruminating about whether the cigars are OK. Just have to talk myself down....steady....steady boy...everything's fine.....cigars are OK........no need to check them 15 times daily......relax.....take deep breaths..........concentrate on your breathing......
SteveS Offline
#5 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 9:22 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
dunno if this is the answer you're looking for or not, but cello is not a vapor barrier ... it will slow down the transfer of humidity either TO or FROM the cigars and/or their box, but it will not prevent the transfer.

Long term, in my experience, the answer is that it therefore makes little or no discernable difference ... I used to be a real cello-off fanatic until I got rushed one time and somehow put a box away without removing it ... then, a year or so later, I learned that other than the cello turning a rather pronounced amber color, leaving it on had made no apparent difference ...

Now, instead of being cello-on or cello-off, I'm cello-indifferent ...
Robby Offline
#6 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 9:34 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Yo Yo Mah likes celo on...
Slimboli Offline
#7 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 9:35 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
... better than being cel-lo-bate ... ;^)
Steve*R Offline
#8 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 2:04 PM EST
Joined: 07-23-2001
Posts: 1,858
Just be certain that the material covering the box is cello. Occasionally, I've purchased a box that appeared to be covered with cello, but was actually covered in plastic wrap. I was told that some vendors may have to sell the box on display in their store, because it's the last one on hand. Rather than send the box looking like it was opened (which it was) they very professionally shrink wrap it. Of course, the plastic wrap will hold in moisture.
osage Offline
#9 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 2:16 PM EST
Joined: 02-18-2001
Posts: 492
One possible benefit to leaving the cello on is for some protection of the wrapper against damage. Since you are talking about cigars in the box and long term storage, IMHO I don't see the need for leaving the cello on.
arwings Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 5:57 PM EST
Joined: 02-09-2003
Posts: 950
Thanks guys. Your posts have been very reassuring and make perfectly reasonable sense. I'm definitely more relaxed. Stupid as it is on my part, I sometimes start worrying needlessly that I haven't done my part in storing the cigars properly to age. Which brings up another question.....why in the Hell am I getting so obsessed with cigars? (Answer: Since I found CBid I am now tending to buy premium cigars by the box.)

Oooh......for those carefree days when I only bought singles and didn't have to be concerned about storage because I smoked them right away.......I see only darkness ahead.....
Robby Offline
#11 Posted: Fri, Jul 18 2003, 6:02 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Cello on for "wrapper protection" is mainly for people with Cigar stores who have a lot of people comeing in handling the cigars. Let's face it, if the cigars are in your humi, "in a box", what protection do they need??? but I usually leave mine on :-) (I handle them a lot :0)
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