Test it yourself

[tippexx]

Conversely the first BHK I took out of its box and took on holiday with me wouldn't go back in the box afterwards as it had swollen slightly. It was transported in a travel humidor too.

That doesn't surprise me. If you've ever taken all the cigars out of a box to inspect them or rotate them it's always a job to get them back in .... it's like the box has suddenly lost an eighth inch of the width!

[TonyN]

I'm not sure that cigar shrinkage is a sign of good aging I just think it's a consequence. I've a few oldish cigars and the bands are so tight they might as well be welded.

A purpose of tubes is to 'slow age', so shrinkage is likely to be less pronounced.

Can you explain what you mean tippexx when you say you think it's a consequence.