There are many factors that go into choosing the perfect time to smoke a fine cigar. And when you've been daydreaming of finally sitting back and lighting up after a long day, there's nothing worse than discovering cracks all over the cigar's wrapper. Not only does it ruin the premium cigar that you were probably saving for a special occasion, but it also raises many questions about what caused the damaged.

Similar to a fine wine, a cigar can get better with age, enhancing its rich flavor and smell. However, time can also cause deterioration. Learn why wrappers become brittle and how to prevent your cigars from cracking to keep your supply ready for your next celebratory moment. 

What Causes Cigars to Crack?

The journey of a fine cigar is long and certainly doesn't end at production. Its color and surface will continue to change over time. Cracks may also appear on the wrapper of your cigar, which many people assume is due to a manufacturing defect. 

While this is possible, it's not the only potential reason for a cigar wrapper cracking and being ruined. Understanding what causes cigars to crack is an important part of keeping them fresh and full of rich flavor. 

Storage and Humidity

The way a cigar is stored can play a big part in its quality over time. When stored in areas of high humidity, the filler and binders in the cigar can swell and warp. If they expand enough, the wrapper can crack in the middle or at the foot of the cigar. In areas that are dry and warm, the oils in the cigar can dry out, making the wrapper more fragile. Temperatures between about 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit work best.

Leaving your cigar stash in an area with excessive moisture can also cause the wrapper to rupture. Keeping your cigars in a space with humidity levels between 60% and 70% is ideal for optimal aging. Maintaining storage temperatures within this range helps preserve the tobacco's flavor and prevent excess moisture or dryness.

Significant temperature fluctuations can also cause cigar wrapper cracking. Storing your cigars in areas with consistent humidity and temperature can reduce stress on the tobacco and combat cracking.

Preparation and Handling 

The way a cigar is cut may not sound like a big factor in affecting how it smokes, but it's an important part of cigar preparation that can significantly affect overall quality. If a cigar is cut more than is necessary, the protective cap that secures the wrapper properly can become loose and unravel. 

Likewise, if a cigar cutter is too dull and not well looked after, it can cause splits and cracks to the wrapper when cut. Be sure to take a few pointers on how to cut a cigar like a pro to avoid spoiling it.

Poor handling can also cause cracks. Habits like using too much pressure on a cigar as you smoke it can put additional stress on the wrapper.

Packaging and Transport

Cracks at the foot of a cigar are often caused by poor packaging or protection during transport. If you're taking your cigars to the golf course or to a friend's house, careful handling is key to preventing additional wear and tear on the wrapper. 

Avoid tossing your cigars into a bag or stuffing them into your pockets. Instead, consider investing in a cigar case to protect your stash when you are traveling or on the go. 

Can You Smoke a Cracked Cigar?

Yes. You can smoke a cracked cigar. However, the burn may be a little uneven, and the taste may not be as rich and full. Will you have the same level of enjoyment? Probably not. 

A cracked cigar's wrapper may need a little repair and care to regain its intended taste, flavor and smell. Before learning how to repair a cracked cigar, it's important to check that it hasn't gone bad due to the damage.

How to Tell if a Cigar Has Gone Bad

Rolling the cigar between your fingers can tell you everything you need to know. A cigar that's been left in a dry humidity will be brittle and give you a crackling sound. A cigar that's been in a damp area will feel too soft and mushy. Remember that a great cigar will feel smooth and just a little bit oily to the touch. The oily texture isn't a cause for concern and is a sign that the cigars have been stored well.

Other telltale signs your cigar has gone bad:

• Sour odor
• Excessive crumbling and flaking
• Discoloration

Preventing Cigar Wrapper Cracking

A combination of modern tools and good old-fashioned tips can make all the difference when it comes to preventing cigar wrapper cracking. Consider putting some of the following solutions into action to protect the flavor and texture of your cigars.

Avoid Improper Storage

Always store your cigar stash somewhere that has a consistent temperature and humidity. Avoid spots with excess sunlight or near heating and air conditioning units that can significantly impact nearby conditions. Garages, basements, cars and other areas that may experience condition fluctuations are also not favorable. 

Consistent storage will deliver that satisfying flavor you've been looking forward to and support the longevity of your favorite cigars.

Invest in a Humidor

Investing in a humidor is essential if you're serious about cigar quality. A good-quality humidor offers peace of mind for aficionados. These boxes maintain the perfect humidity and support a premium level of smoothness during your smoking experience.

Checking the humidity levels and airflow to your cigars should be part of your regular routine. Use only distilled water for your humidor to avoid mineral build up and mold growth. It's a simple trick, but just a few minutes of extra care will maintain the quality of your cigars and keep them well looked after. 

Consider a Hygrometer

A hygrometer enables you to monitor the humidity levels in the air inside your humidor. It offers you an extra level of long-term care and accuracy to reduce the risks of cigar wrappers cracking. This is a highly beneficial accessory for keeping your cigars in peak smoking condition.

If you have cigars that have significantly dried out and are in danger of cracking, you may be able to recovery their quality by rehydrating. This process usually requires boosting the relative humidity in the humidor for a few days. Keep checking on the quality of each cigar and avoid making the humidor excessively moist. 

Organize and Rotate Your Cigars

Proper airflow is essential to ensuring your cigars remain in top smoking condition. 

Avoid overpacking your humidor or stacking too many cigars on top of each other. The best way to organize your stash is to keep it vertical with the foot of the cigar down. If you are storing with horizontal layers, consider trays and dividers that can help you organize each cigar with plenty of space around each one. 

You can organize your stash in several different ways, such as:

• First-in-first-out: Consider storing your cigar collection with your newest cigars on the bottom and the oldest of your collection on top, readily accessible for your next puff. 
• Favor: You can group cigars with similar flavor profiles together. This can help ensure your cigars have the desired taste when it is time to light up. 
• Origin or age: Some collectors like to sort their cigars by age or according to the country of origin. 

Proper storage methods will ensure your wrappers remain properly moisturized without becoming too damp. Be sure to rotate your cigars periodically — at least every few months — to support moisture distribution.

Remove Your Cigar Bands Slowly

Patience is a virtue. Be sure to light up, indulge in the rich flavor and take your time before completely removing that band. When you enjoy a fine cigar, the gum on the band will naturally loosen from the heat. Once that's happened, it's easier to peel the cigar band away. 

If you rip the band off on a stone-cold cigar, you risk tearing off the wrapper leaf, too. Steer clear of easily avoidable habits like this that may ruin the enjoyment of your cigar.

Ash Your Cigar with Care

A popular misconception about enjoying a cigar is that you need to ash it after every puff. While characters in movies may be seen aggressively tapping away or banging their cigar after each pull, in real life, this too often leads to a cracked wrapper. 

Like a fine wine or a gourmet meal, you should take your time and savour your cigar. Remember—a quality cigar should have a stable ash that burns evenly, so there's no need to rush things. When your cigar is ready to be ashed, just press the tip gently onto a well-crafted ashtray and roll the ash off.

3 Methods to Repair Cracked Cigar Wrappers

If your cigar wrapper is cracked, you may want to have a go at fixing the damage yourself. It's important to remember that learning how to repair cracked cigar wrappers depends on how badly damaged the cigar is and what materials you have available. However, some common and successful repair methods include: 

1. Using a Wrapper Leaf from a Different Cigar

A cigar that's missing a large piece of wrapped leaf in the middle can be repaired by peeling some wrapper leaf from another cigar. While this tried and tested method may not sound appealing, it remains one of the most popular ways of repairing a cracked cigar due to its convenience and ease.

This may be the best solution if you have a very special and expensive cigar in your collection with a cracked wrapper. Taking a wrapper leaf from a far less expensive cigar can keep your special one secure. 

2. Repairing a Cracked Cigar Wrapper with Pectin 

Pectin, a fruit extract commonly used as a gelling agent in food condiments, is one of the most effective cigar repair solutions. It's completely harmless, tasteless, and scentless, making it ideal for repairing cigar wrappers. 

Acacia powder is also a perfectly safe alternative to pectin. Mix it with water, and it can be added to a cigar wrapper leaf as a sealant. 

3. Cigar Repair Using Household Items 

While it's best to use a more appropriate adhesive, there are some creative ways to fix your wrapper leaf if the unexpected happens without warning. A quick dab of vaseline or lip balm should be a good adhesive for a cracked cigar wrapper. 

A small amount of syrup may also work well, but you may risk affecting the cigar's taste with these unconventional methods.

The Importance of Investing in Quality Cigar Accessories

The right cigar accessories do more than elevate your storage solutions — they actively protect flavor, aroma, draw and wrapper integrity for the best possible smoking experience. 

Investing in premium cigar products will help you save more in the future on cracked wrappers. Explore the advantages of choosing great accessories below:

• Stabilize moisture and temperature: A tight-sealing humidor with reliable humidification and a calibrated digital hygrometer prevents dryness — which causes brittle wrappers and excessively hot burns — and over-humidity that can lead to swelling, splits and mold.
• Preserve the cap and wrapper: Sharp, well-built cutters make clean cuts that keep the cap intact and the wrapper from unraveling.
• Ensure clean ignition: Quality, refillable lighters light evenly without creating off-flavors. A clean ignition can also help reduce tunneling, canoeing and mid-body splits from overheating.
• Support a steady, even burn: A proper ashtray with wide rests and a stable basin keeps the cigar supported so you don’t tap or bang ash between puffs, which can crack the wrapper.
• Protect during travel: A crush-proof travel case or travel humidor with a humidity element prevents transport damage and humidity issues. 

In addition to humidors and hygrometers, you can find quality cigar accessories from Corona Cigar Co., including the following:

• Lighters
• Cutters
• Ash trays
• Travel cases

Get Premium Cigars and Accessories From Corona Cigar Co. Today

Understanding what causes cigars to crack can give you the information needed to prevent any further issues, making every time you light up a fulfilling experience. 

Corona Cigar Co. is your one-stop shop for premium cigars and high-quality accessories. Whether you're looking for cigar boxes, packs, bundles or samplers, we have a vast selection available. World-class cigars don't have to be expensive — we make getting quality options affordable. If you have any questions about which cigars to choose or what accessories to invest in, our team of experts can help guide your decision-making.

Explore our wide range of quality cigars and accessories to make every smoke a celebration.