Tubos

[JNT]

Here's a follow up question. Do you keep your tubes separate, or allow them to lay with (touching) other un-tubed cigars

 

[mk05]

I submit that this is essentially the same as cello on / off in my opinion. The distinction therefore, I believe, is whether or not you want the cigar to age faster, or slower. IF the tobacco is able to interact with humidified/rh controlled air, that tobacco will age faster than tobacco that is in an environment where the same air is scarcely available.

Observation:
This is something that I have experienced first-hand with some J21s. In mid-2010, Jack D at GSCC once gave me an OR Tat J21 that was a promo bundle - came in individual cellos - and a J21 from a 2004 box code. Same year, however, the cello-on J21 tasted "newer" than the box-kept J21. Of course, the controls in this experiment have to be constant temp/rh - which were properly observed at the b&m.

Theory:
If you submerge the tube into water, does water get inside? If so, then air does too - but clearly at a slower rate than if you dunked a naked cigar in water. Thus, a cigar in a tube is akin to a cigar in a cello.

Argument:
The cedar sleeve in the tube acts as a little humidor as well, as definition, given the above case. However, if the cigars are left in the same temp/rh humidor (one inside tube and the other naked), then I submit that there must be no significant difference, as it is essentially the same environment.

Therefore, it all comes down to how you want the cigar aged. Faster, or slower - given that the given controls of temp/rh are the same.

Thoughts?

 

[Headbanger]

Here's a follow up question. Do you keep your tubes separate, or allow them to lay with (touching) other un-tubed cigars

Mine are in the boxes where they came from. Should be no issues with them touching. If you are concerned about anything then remove the tube no biggie either way.

 

[Headbanger]

Right on MK, I only suggest removing the cap to allow moisture to leave the tube faster. Many cigar merchants keep the cigars at a higher RH than normal in case shipping take a long while to arrive (overseas vendors I speak of). So I remove the caps for maybe 30 days, then put them back on to prevent mold issues.

With the sticks inside the tube with cap on slows down air exchange and limits RH bounces so IMO if you have tubes keep them there with cap on. The cedar only helps with mold and helps add the cedar taste that is in most cigars.

 

[D Quintero]

ive seen that tubos are ever so slightly abrasive, causing tubo "rash".
so i keep them out.

 

[mk05]

Yes - distributors keep cigars at 70-75.

 

[AR..]

All of mine rest with the caps on, in the tubes, in the OG packaging.

Same here.

 

[MiamiE]

Same here.

Just like they would at any Habanos SA retailer. :smile:

 

[blessednxs65]

i open them to check the condition then depends on how soon i plan to smoke them. If going to smoke them soon i leave the caps off, if storing for a while leave the cap on.

.....+1

 

[cvm4]

I really dont agree with you brother, tubos are a bit moist but as you mentioned they are not air tight . The same issue with jars but you dont open them for a month and let all that wonderful smell go to waste wich will affect the taste.
If you would open a tube that has been closed as tight as possible for 5 years( I usualy apply one layer of tape where the cap meets the tube)and then try with the same cigar with a tube that has been opened you can smell the diffrence.

But I try to rest my tubes at least 5 years for them to develop and mature. If I would buy something I am planing to smoke in the near future(1-2 months) I would take of the cap for it to settle faster. This I would only do if it was a cigar that is tops 1-2 years old, if not I would not open it.

For the same reason I ziplock all my boxes in the long term aging as most collectors do.

My humidor is cedar lined so I'm not worried about the wonderful smell going to waste. In the grand scheme of things, one month out of 5+ years won't make a difference. Cigars are more resilient than aficionados give them credit for. They also tend to be shipped at a higher RH than I care for and this is the reason for my actions.

 

[Jwrussell]

Tubes were never intended to be used for aging your cigars, they were originally intended as a safe way to carry some loose cigars in a pocket without damaging them.

I find that cigars do not mature or age well in their tubes, but if you want to age them like that, I'd advise keeping the tube open without the cap and allow the cigar to breathe.

It may not have been what they were originally designed for, but I strongly disagree with the suggestion that they don't age well in the tubes. One of the all-time best cigars I ever had was a Bolivar Tubos No. 2. It is a DIFFERENT style of aging, as you are only melding the flavors of the individual leaves used to roll the individual cigar instead of all of the cigars in a box, for instance, but to say that they do not age well...I want to say is "just wrong", but I'll go with, "opinions differ".

 

[MiamiE]

Agreed Jason, but all opinions are well stated. I appreciate these kind of discussions, shows you how diverse the hobby is in all aspects.

 

[JNT]

I for one changed my view, and the caps back on.

 

[BEN(SWEDEN)]

I respect everyones opinions but I can bet my collection, that if for example you would have 2 boxes of the same cigar from the same factory, month and year sold in a auction an say that one of the boxes has been resting with the caps off you wouldnt get as much for it as the one stored intact.

Once again when you talk to most collectors, they ziplock their boxes for the same reason, to keep everything in and let them blend with their own, not be affacted from boxes nest to them and I can say I have NEVER heard of a true habanist storing jars open or taking the caps off.

Tubos MIGHT have been to protect the cigars when travelling an viagra was a heart medecin.......but sometimes things have much better use in other areas:cbig: