Storing Tubo Cigars

Q. Do tubed cigars have to be put in your humidor? If so, why put them in tubes?

– Norm S.
A. Tubo or not tubo? A great question. The simple answer is yes. ALL cigars should be kept in a humidor: cello wrap, no cello, and tubos. Cigar manufacturers put some selections in tubes for reasons that range from maketing a new line extension, to making the cigar easier to carry when you go out, to providing better protection than a cello wrapper – or, all of the above.

Whatever the reason, the fact is the tube will only maintain the cigar’s humidity for so long; usually no more than a few days under normal conditions. Cigars presented in aluminum tubos are not air-tight. So, by placing them in the humidor, they’ll still get most of the humidity they need.

I usually remove the cigar completely, putting the tube aside for “take-out.” Or, sometimes I put the tubo in the humidor with the cap removed to promote better airflow while keeping the cigar’s wrapper leaf protected. Using this concept, Davidoff Cigars has a tubo with a ¼-inch-wide slit in the side that opens to permit airflow when you twist it, so you don’t have to remove the cigar from the tube.

Corked or sealed glass tubes may retain freshness a little longer than aluminum, but if left out of the box, they too will dry out. And if left under lamp or sunlight, you can risk baking the cigar inside the tube.

Suffice it to say, if you have a cigar humidor, whichever way your cigars come in the box – use it.