The Art of Storing Cigars

You’ve learned all about the different kinds of cigar shapes, colors, and sizes, how to properly cut and light your cigar, and even what drinks to pair them with. Today, we look into how to maintain the freshness and integrity of your cigar.

Just like every other aspect of the cigar, storing and maintaining them is an art. They are composed of natural elements that react to the environment. The balance of temperature and moisture is a delicate dance that can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining the integrity of your cigar. To achieve this balance, look into investing in a humidor. A humidor is a simple device, usually a wooden box that is designed to maintain similar conditions in which the cigar tobacco was grown, fermented, and rolled. 

How to Properly Store your Cigar

Humidors come in all shapes and sizes and many aficionados invest in customizing their humidors. Properly prepared humidors are designed to maintain internal humidity of 70 to 75 percent and their internal temperature should be kept at 68 to 70 degrees.

Cigars should be stored in a humidor until they are ready to be enjoyed. While you can get away with keeping a cigar in a properly sealed plastic bag with a damp paper towel, this method should only be used for a day or two. But, as a cigar aficionado, you know a humidor is essential to the cigar life. 

Humidors can come as basic or as fancy and advanced as you desire. If you’re serious about your cigar hobby, a good humidor is worth investing in. After all, cigars are an investment. 

Take note of the way your humidor is constructed, the finishes, seams, corners, and performance features. Ensure that your humidor seals tightly, but not tight enough to keep out air. Humidors need a small amount of air to circulate throughout the box. Several newer models come with a gauge and hydrometers that track the internal humidity.

If you opt for this route, spend your money on a humidor with a digital read rather than an analog to avoid inaccurate data. You’ll be able to measure your humidor’s performance by the condition of the cigars inside. 

The inside of the humidor is lined with cedar. Cedar absorbs and emits moisture that compliments the tobacco. Spanish cedar is used over the aromatic cedar you’re used to lining closets and wool chests with. The Spanish cedar allows the cigar to keep its flavorful profile.

Cigars should feel a little bit oily, if they are dry or peeling, simply add more water. Sadly, if your cigar turns moldy, you’ll have to throw it out — regardless of what the hygrometer says. To avoid these inconveniences, invest in the time to learn what it takes to maintain a humidor. 

Properly Maintaining your Humidor:

It may seem difficult, but humidors can be easily maintained. Simply keeping the humidor shut and adding distilled water to the humidifying device every so often will keep your humidor in optimal cigar-storing conditions. Refrain from using tap water, as the minerals will collect on the humidifier, diminishing the ability to absorb moisture. 

Properly Seasoning your Humidor

To properly season your humidor, go into the process with the mindset of time and patience. Keep in mind: you’re recreating the tropical environment the humidors were constructed in. Even if you own the most beautiful humidor on the market, if you do not properly season it, you’ll find a dry humidor will ruin even the best cigar. 

The Spanish cedar needs to be humidified before the humidor is ready to hold your finest cigars. First, take a new, unscented sponge and wet it with distilled water. Wipe down the exposed wood, trays, and dividers, and don’t forget the interior of the lid. Avoid using paper towels or cloth, as they have a tendency to leave remnants within the wood. After a sufficient wipe down, spray the sponge with distilled water and place it on a plastic back in the humidor and close the lid.

Up next prepare the humidification device. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your humidor. Close the humidor with the humidifying element and the damp spine and leave it overnight. Refresh the humidification divide and douse the sponge again and leave another night. By now, your humidor’s walls have absorbed all the water they can and you can store your cigars with confidence. 

If you don’t have a Humidor

What if you don’t have a humidor? Not ideal, but certainly not impossible. Do not resort to putting it in the refrigerator or freezer — that will absolutely ruin any cigar — especially the good ones. If you must, there are a few options for you to store cigars outside a humidor. To store a few cigars for a couple of weeks, you can use the Ziploc bag and a moist sponge method. You can also utilize a Tupperware container or glass jar, and a wet sponge to create your own makeshift humidor. Hot tip: A standard cooler is your best option you need to store cigars longer than a couple of months.

Sometimes, things happen. Life gets busy and you’ll forget about the cigar waiting in that humidor. Most of the time, when a cigar dries up, you’ll chalk it up as a learning experience. There are some cases where cigars can be reconditioned through weeks of restoration, but it’s a delicate art that is best left to professionals. There are several myths on how to restore a dried-out cigar… but that is usually all they are, myths. If someone tells you to put cigars in the bathroom and run a hot shower or steam them in a dishwasher… just don’t!

Your Turn!

That was a lot! Have no fear your friends at Vitola Fine Cigars are here to help you with every step of the cigar journey. Come in today and find the perfect humidor to store all your favorite cigars.