Smell of ammonia on cello wrapped cigar

[Evan]

The other day when attempting to smoke a cigar that had been in my humi and wrapped in cello, I noticed that it smelled of ammonia, and it was pretty strong.
I was under the impression that the cellophane was supposed to allow the cigar to breathe.

I decided not to smoke the cigar that day, so I unwrapped it, and placed it back in the humi. Now, the ammonia scent has faded substantially and I'll probably smoke the cigar soon to see how it tastes. I know that cigars release ammonia as they age, but has anyone ever smoked one that smelled of ammonia, I wouldn't think it would be all that pleasant.

Has anyone ever had this issue before?
I decided that I didn't want all my different cigars blending together so instead of removing the cellophane completely, I just trimmed it so that the head of the cigar is exposed a bit.

FYI: The specific cigar was an El Triunfador, No 5. I don't know how old it was, or how long it had been in the cello, it was a gift from another brother on this site.

 

[ciggy]

Ammonia is common in fresh cigars or ROTT. Aging with the cello on is recommended to help protect the wrapper really and not much more. It's a personal preference to keep it on or off but I say leave it on. Cutting the ends of the cello off exposing the cigar is fine but some cigars age better (if out of the box) in a cello wrap. I'm not sure why you got that smell if it was aged as you say, but it sounds like maybe it was a brand that requires more rest. I can honestly say that I have only had this happen on cheaper cigars which I learned to stay away from. What brand of cigar was it?

 

[Evan]

It is a Tatuaje- El Triunfador No. 5

 

[ciggy]

It is a Tatuaje- El Triunfador No. 5

Never had that with those...wierd!

 

[PLUSH]

Sure they breathe but not as well if the cello isn't there. I got some new Tats in just this week and some have more of an ammonia smell more than others. It all just depends on what it is made from, some of these blends are further along in the process, and some just smell worse.

 

[Jfire]

Pepin is not "fully" fermenting his tobacco 100% all the time. PHJ may come here and tell me I'm wrong and so be it. But some of his products are releasing small amounts of ammonia 1-2 years after being boxed. Customer buys said box. Opens them and discovers there still in a "final" fermentation. Most likely due to using such strong and oily tobaccos. This is all of course one mans hypothesis mind you.....
Regards,
Jfire

 

[Cigary43]

Ammonia is present as was said in it's infancy...it usually will go through one or two 'sick periods' where you will be acutely aware of the smell. When lighting your cigar you can also the results of excess ammonia and I never try to smoke any cigar when I first purchase it...I usually will wait about a month and when you taste ammonia during a sick period...you're not likely to forget it.

 

[Alwayslit]

It's possibly going through a sick period. I'd let it rest for at least 6 months.