Boxpressed: What For?

[CFM]

Wow, thank you,never knew this side of the production. Maybe you could answer this also. I was curious why it seems only Cuban cigars do not come wrapped in cellphone? Seems most other countries do.

I don’t really know the full Cuban production side, but here’s what I can say from a manufacturer’s point of view.

First, cellophane is not all the same — there are different qualities and sizes depending on the factory standards. Many people think Cuba avoids using it just for tradition, but honestly, Cuban cigars today often lack consistent quality.

Lack of access to cellophane is the main reason.

Also, most Cuban distributors don’t let you open a box or buy single cigars, because without cellophane there’s a higher risk of damage or even tobacco beetles. So they prefer to sell sealed boxes only.

My personal opinion: choose cigars from other countries. Dominican cigars right now have better quality control, modern production, and still keep traditional craftsmanship.

And yes — cellophane matters. It protects cigars during shipping, handling, and storage while keeping humidity stable.

 

[Briarcutter]

I don’t really know the full Cuban production side, but here’s what I can say from a manufacturer’s point of view.

First, cellophane is not all the same — there are different qualities and sizes depending on the factory standards. Many people think Cuba avoids using it just for tradition, but honestly, Cuban cigars today often lack consistent quality.

Lack of access to cellophane is the main reason.

Also, most Cuban distributors don’t let you open a box or buy single cigars, because without cellophane there’s a higher risk of damage or even tobacco beetles. So they prefer to sell sealed boxes only.

My personal opinion: choose cigars from other countries. Dominican cigars right now have better quality control, modern production, and still keep traditional craftsmanship.

And yes — cellophane matters. It protects cigars during shipping, handling, and storage while keeping humidity stable.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer. I sincerely appreciate your time. Enlightening!

 

[Pipeandapencil]

There's always a market for something square and ugly... like a tesla truck!

 

[woodsroad]

I avoid BP cigars whenever possible. Don't like 'em. Haven't had one in three decades or so. Is there a reason for their existence, other than maybe fitting the box better?

I buy them just to spite you.
Then I give ‘em away to school kids.

 

[CFM]

Ok, this week I spent some time asking different cigar production managers about this topic, and I want to add a few things to my previous answer:

1. They need to check the better tobacco (wrapper) more carefully to avoid defects. This is one of the most important parts of controlling quality.
2. Yes, they do use a little less tobacco, but this doesn’t really affect the total cost in any meaningful way.
3. The only thing that truly affects the real cost is labor — that’s where the actual difference comes from.

I think that’s all the additional info I can share from the conversations I had

 

[anotherbob]

There's always a market for something square and ugly... like a tesla truck!

Everytime I see one of those I want to smash it. Not out of anger or anything like that. It just looks so much like something from a early 2000s computer game, that I feel like I might get a floating coin or healing item if I hit it enough times.

 

[AreBee]

I don't like them. Most box pressed smokes are rectangular as opposed to square. If the burn is off, you may have to rotate the cigar and smoke it the "long" way to even it out. Just don't like. There are a couple smokes that are so damn good, I just don't care, like Ashton VSG, Foundation Olmec and the Aging Room Quattro series to name a few.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

This thread made me think of this video:

 

[BingBong]

I mistakenly got the idea that box pressed were cheap cigars, til I saw Padron 1926. They're not exactly bog standard stogies.

 

[Dixie Piper]

I avoid BP cigars whenever possible. Don't like 'em. Haven't had one in three decades or so. Is there a reason for their existence, other than maybe fitting the box better?

Cigar companies will use all types of gimmick's to sell you a cigar. Box pressing naturally happens but some do use it as an angle to sell.you a cigar.

 

[OzPiper]

Were the elite Havanas box pressed?

I've not seen a box pressed Cuban

Back in 2003/4 I bought a couple of boxes of Cuban Partagas D3 Edicion Limitada 2001 which are boxed pressed - the 1st boxed pressed Cubans in my experience

There is still a full box somewhere down in the cellar

Can’t say I like the square or rectangular look of box-pressed cigars, but they smoke fine

 

[OzPiper]

I mistakenly got the idea that box pressed were cheap cigars, til I saw Padron 1926. They're not exactly bog standard stogies.

All my Padron 1926, 1964 and Anniversary cigars are box-pressed.
My favourite cigars

 

[MidnightPuff]

Come to think of it, I've only ever smoked one box pressed cigar. Those machine made villiger exports. Not a bad smoke. I never seek out box pressed for premiums though.

 

[fireground_piper]

I think I have only smoked box pressed in 2025 and I continue to enjoy them. My local B&M carries a brand called DBL which seems maybe half of their lines are box pressed which gives me a good selection at a reasonable price ($10-$15 per).