Should I remove the cellophane wrapper from a cigar?

This question gives rise to much debate in smokers' forums. But why are cigars wrapped in cellophane in the first place? The trend began many years ago in the US and, outside of Cuba, almost all manufacturers now use cellophane. The Americans, known for their pragmatism, like to pick up a cigar from their favourite retailer, put it in their breast pocket, and smoke it on the golf course that afternoon or on the terrace later in the evening. The delicate cigar wrapper doesn't fare well with this cavalier approach to transport though, and damage is almost inevitable. But, envelop the cigar in cellophane and the problem disappears.

Even cigar dealers are of two minds on this issue. The positive aspects of cellophane include protection and better hygiene: many customers like to touch the cigars before buying, wrapping the cigar in cellophane avoids potential damage to the wrapper and helps to keep the cigar germ-free. On the other hand, cellophane wrappers go against the general aesthetics of many aficionados, because, simply put, a cellophane-covered cigar really doesn't look that good.

Another aspect is how cellophane wrappers affect the ageing of a cigar. Although the cellophane does allow moisture to pass through, to and from the cigar, the ageing process will be somewhat slower. When storing cigars in a humidor, the cellophane can be dispensed with for aesthetic reasons, especially when the cigars are intended for consumption in the near future.

The situation is different when the aficionado has bought a whole box of cigars and would like to store them over a longer period of time. In that case, one should remove the cellophane.