Shrink-wrap

[PeeJay]

We talked recently about vacuum sealing and the subject of cellophane comes up at least once a year but what about shrink wrap? My last two boxes have arrived sealed in shrink-wrap and I'm not sure whether to leave it on or not. Obviously the dealers have these boxes hanging around sometimes for years unopened and I assume in humidors: which is where these are going, but what's going on inside? Should point out that they're wrapped by the manufacturer not the dealer.

[Simon Bolivar]

I assume as the UKCF NC Guru your referring to NC's as I have never seen a box of Havana's shrink wrapped. Their used to be glassine paper which protected the box but wasn't air tight. If you mean vacuum sealed then it's supposed to slow maturation down (discussed recently on another thread) but as NC's are supposed to be ready to smoke, can't see the point? Just to protect during transport & delivery I expect.

[Emaresee]

I often shrink wrap stuff if I am sending stuff out, alongside ziplock bags. And have been known to buy a roll when on holiday for wrapping purchases going into hand or cabin luggage.

And our friends at Fincato in Rome always shrink wrap boxes for those travelling to help retain moisture - I have found it to be effective for this purpose. BUT cellophane/ shrink wrap is not wholly airtight... so I suspect if you were to shrink wrap a small boveda pouch inside then you have an impromptu humidor.

I have a cohiba magicos box which I am using as strorage for some Fauxhiba Supremos, and a few other CR's. I've kept them in a large zip lock - the type cigarworld used to mail out stuff in. I couldnt fit it into a locknlock nor my wineador at the time hence giving it a go... I've got a little boveda pouch in the box and its been the same one since the word 'go'... no plume/mould, no splits all good. I can imagine that shrink wrap is the same.... albeit a bit of a faff to open up and check etc.


Imagine that NC's may have a longer time sat on shelves as there is a greater density of brands and often bigger ranges within a brand, so may well be a precautionary measure to try and minimise the effects of humidity shifts as they ship from source to importer to shop to customer etc?

BUT as a long term solution I guess its a bit unknown? the bit I pause upon is the faff factor or checking stock condition etc.