How to Repair a Cigar

If the wrapper on your cigar is cracked in a single spot or seems to be unraveling all at once, there is a good chance you can fix it. However, if it is flaking apart all over the cigar, it may be beyond the point of no return. If you smoke a cigar with a cracked wrapper, it will not burn evenly and even worse won’t taste good.

Some wrappers are known for being more fragile than others. Cameroon and Indonesian wrappers tend to be less resilient and have a greater chance of cracking or unravelling, especially if the weather is cold. Connecticut Shade wrappers are naturally weaker than Connecticut Broadleaf, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop smoking your favourite cigars due to the chance of the wrapper breaking. You just need to be more vigilant in keeping them fresh, either in an airtight container with a Boveda pack or in a humidor. Regardless of how your cigar ended up damaged there are ways you can potentially repair a cracked wrapper leaf.

How to repair a cracked wrapper

Repairing a wrapper with Pectin

The first technique to try is using Pectin. This is a white to light brown powder or solution which is a citrus fruit extract, primarily used as a gelling agent in jam or jelly. Because it is tasteless and odorless it is a practical and harmless substance for patching up a cigar wrapper.

Using a piece of wrapper leaf from another cigar

If your cigar is missing a piece of wrapper leaf in the middle third, you can always try to peel a bit of wrapper leaf from a less expensive cigar and reapplying it to the cigar you want to smoke. This method is definitely worth considering if you have got an expensive or rare cigar with a damaged wrapper leaf. You would want to lose out on a truly special cigar you’ve been saving for a special occasion because the wrapper has cracked.

Using Vaseline

If you need a quick impromptu leaf repair, you could potentially get away with using a dab of Vaseline lip balm. Honey or syrup is also an alternative as they are naturally sticky. It is always worth a shot if you’re out and about and need a quick fix for your cigar.

Many peoples first instinct is to lick a cracked wrapper to seal the wrapper back in place… It rarely works. Eventually your saliva dries and the wrapper leaf will continue to come apart.

How to prevent a cracked or flaking wrapper

Maintain the humidity in your humidor

The best way to deal with cracked wrappers is to prevent them from happening in the first place.  Make sure you keep an eye on your hygrometer and make sure it’s around 69-72% humidity on a regular basis. If your cigars are cracking in your humidor, they’re too dry.

When taking a cigar out and about, put them in a zip-lock bag to protect them, even if they come in cellophane. You could also purchase a travel humidor if you travel often, this will keep your cigars fresher for longer.

Invest in a sharp cutter

A worn away cutter can crack the wrapper leaf if you are struggling to cut the end off, and especially if you cut too deep. Applying too much pressure will stress the wrapper and cause a split, so it is always important to have a cutter with sharp blades.

Wait to remove the band

Try not to remove the band off your cigar until you have smoke as much as you can. By letting the burn get close to the cigar band, it heats up the glue that holds the band together making it easier to take the band off. If you take the band off when it’s cold, you could potentially tear the wrapper leaf with it leaving yourself a hole in the wrapper which will need fixing. 

Written by Oliver Partington