You may already have a humidor that is not quite up to scratch anymore and are now looking for a replacement. Or perhaps you’ve only just started collecting Cigars and want to make sure that you can store them correctly. Well look no further, whether you’re very well versed in humidors or whether you’re just beginning to learn the lingo, this blog post is going to give you an understanding of humidifying your Cuban Cigars. Because after all, nothing pains us more than having some of the most luxurious Cuban Cigars for sale, like our Limited Edition Cigars and Regional Edition Cigars which then go to waste because our customers aren’t able to store them accordingly. Hey, don’t worry, we know that MOST of you are absolute experts at this, but we want to make sure that EVERYBODY is. Therefore, this blog post should act as a definitive guide to storing your cigars.
Choosing a Humidor
Obviously the first step to humidifying your Cigars, is to make sure that you buy the best quality Humidor. This step is considered a key investment, because without one you’re sure to diminish the quality of your cigars and in turn your smoking experience. Here at EGM Cigars, we have two top of the range Humidors from the global brand Davidoff Cigars. Any of our Humidors would make for an ideal upgrade if yours is deteriorating, or could be the perfect first humidor for your growing collection.
Which lining should my humidor have?
Despite common preconceptions of Humidors and their linings, it is not always integral to the humidor itself and a lot of the time aficionados will replace the lining. Nevertheless, there are three key types of wood, Red Cedar, Spanish Cedar and Honduran Mahogany that are seen as the primary woods to be used.
Spanish Cedar
- Protects the cigars from tobacco worms, because they are deterred and disgusted by the cedar’s natural odour.
- Its humidity absorption levels are very high meaning it can stabilise extreme conditions.
- In addition, the odoriferous quality of cedar has a very positive impact on the flavour of aged cigars.
Red Cedar
- Seen as a more affordable Spanish Cedar, but one that still delivers excellent humidity levels for any of your Bolivar Cuban Cigars.
- In addition, cigars that are aged within a Red Cedar Humidor are effectively stronger in flavour and complimented by the Red Cedar aroma.
Honduran Mahogany
- Similar to the Spanish Cedar, the Honduran Mahogany wood is valued for its excellent humidity absorption. Unlike its competitor though, the Honduran Mahogany is unable to deter tobacco worms and other insects because of its less potent aroma. In addition, this light aroma has little to no effect on the flavours of the cigar.
We recommend that you ensure the lining of your humidor is 2mm or thicker and we personally believe thicker is better. This is because the lining really helps with the humidification levels and, particularly if you’re using the Spanish Cedar or Red Cedar, can have a pleasant influence on the flavours.
What type of wood should my humidor be made from?
In regards to the major components of your humidor, there are two primary materials deemed as most suitable for them; Veneer or Solid Wood.
Veneer humidors can be made from both the lining and outer woods, whereas Solid Wood humidors can be made using only one wood. So it’s best to keep that in mind when considering the different types of Solid Wood humidors.
Veneer
- Complicated construction which resists extreme fluctuations in humidity.
- More affordable than Solid Wood humidors.
- High gloss finishes on Veneer humidors can increase their durability.
Solid Wood
- Fluid design as it is constructed solely from one type of wood.
- Hand crafted and heirloom worthy.
- Certain types of wood are resistant to distortions and cracks due to extreme variations in humidity, used in our Davidoff Office Humidor- Rosewood Palladium and Davidoff Office Humidor- Macassar Palladium.
- Impermeable to tobacco worms and insects, therefore reduced chances of infestation.
- Less durable to dents and damage compared to veneer.
Recently veneer Humidors have gained popularity amongst cigar aficionados because they have been proven to keep your cigars at necessary humidity levels, as well as resistant to damage, warping and dents. Nevertheless, Solid Wood Humidors are still very much desired and admired by smokers and collectors. This is because of their undeniable elegance, brilliant striated woods and its ability to be an ornament and centrepiece of a room. In fact, many solid wood humidors become much loved heirlooms which pass from generation to generation.
What is the ideal humidity levels for my Cuban Cigars?
If you think about where the tobacco leaves are grown, you envision the endless fields of effervescent green tobacco and fertile red soil underneath the searing Cuban sun. This sub-tropical climate provides the optimum conditions for these to grow to their utmost best- a humidor should therefore keep these cigars at a range of 70-75% to support their ageing and maintain its current form.
It really does depend on the particular vitola and brand though, so ensure you do your research around the particular cigar you’d like to store and the humidity level it requires. Nevertheless, saying that, the humidity levels of any humidor should never exceed 75%. This is because your cigars will begin absorbing the moisture, which will have a detrimental affect on its smoking qualities.
How do I set up my humidor?
Now that you’ve got your humidor, it’s time to fill it with your favourite cigars like the Ramon Allones Cuban Cigars or La Gloria Cubana Cuban Cigars. But before you can do that you’ve got to make sure it’s humidity levels are standardised. Our Davidoff Office Humidors have a built in humidity system, which you have to fill with distilled water or propylene glycol to keep the right humidity levels (tap water contains minerals which can devastate most humidification systems).
Additional tools will increase the likelihood of you storing your cigars correctly. We suggest buying a hygrometer, which will measure the humidor’s humidity levels.
How do I take care of my humidor?
Smoking a Cuban Cigar is one of life’s most sumptuous and splendid pleasures. Keeping these cigars at their optimum condition is essential and therefore cigar aficionados take great pride in possessing a humidor. Now that you’ve chosen your humidor and set it up appropriately, its time to maintain it. We suggest you:
- Store your humidor in a safe place, where there is no risk of it being knocked.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Use a soft cloth and wax polish when cleaning your humidor and apply lightly.
- Do not clean with water, as the wood can get damaged. A slightly damp cloth will serve this purpose.
Our Cuban Cigar Blog provides tips for cigar smokers, as well as reporting current cigar news; make sure to keep up to date by following our posts.
Also, let us known how you take expert care of your humidors and cigars in the comments below, we'd love to hear from you.