Cigars 101: How to fix an unraveling cigar with ChapStick

How lip balm might save your smoke from certain death!

We've all been there… you're halfway through smoking a cigar when the wrapper starts to unravel faster than your Friday night plans. But fear not, because I'm about to let you in on a little secret that's been hiding in plain sight: ChapStick.

Yes, you read that right. That little tube of lip balm you've got kicking around in your pocket or at the bottom of your wife's purse could be the superhero your cigar needs in its darkest hour. Now, I know what you're thinking…"Jared, have you finally lost it? Are you suggesting I put lip goop on my $50 Padron?" And to that, I say, “Absolutely.”

Let's break it down. ChapStick, in its most basic form, is essentially a wax-based moisturizer with an adhesive quality. When a cigar starts to unravel, the natural pectin that kept the wrapper in place has lost its stickiness. What better replacement for a natural ‘glue’ than another type of natural glue. Unless you have some pectin lying around, of course.

How to fix a cigar wrapper with ChapStick

Carefully, apply a thin layer of ChapStick along the unraveling edge of the wrapper, and at the base underneath where it’ll stick to the cigar. Use your fingers to press the wrapper back into place, holding it there for a few seconds to let the wax work its magic. For a thorough guide, see my video demonstration below:

Video tutorial of fixing an unraveling cigar with ChapStick

Imperfect, but good enough!

Now, I'll be the first to admit that this isn't a perfect solution, and will not restore your cigar to its original, pristine condition. But what you will do is create a temporary seal that should hold long enough for you to finish enjoying your smoke without it completely falling apart in your hands. And your taste buds—the most important part of the equation—won’t know the difference. It’s important to remember that there’s no extra points for a pretty cigar out there, no matter what the Insta crowd tells ya.

Some details worth noting...

Of course, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. For one, you'll want to use an unflavored balm if possible. The last thing you want is your Nicaraguan puro to suddenly taste like artificial cherry. Also, use this trick sparingly. A little goes a long way, and you don't want to end up with a waxy mess all over your fingers and cigar.

I can already hear the purists out there gasping in horror. "But Jared," they'll say, "isn't this sacrilege? Aren't we desecrating the sanctity of the cigar?" To which I say, “Lighten up, Francis.” Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures. And if the choice is between a slightly ChapStick-ed cigar and it unraveling to the point of being ruined, I’m going with door number one.

In an ideal world, every cigar would be perfectly constructed and humidified, never giving us a moment's trouble. So, the next time you find yourself staring down at an unraveling wrapper, don't panic. Just reach for that for that little tube and remember…sometimes, the best cigar tricks come from the most unexpected places.