Did you know that a freshly rolled cigar will only stay that way for two to three days, and that’s if you keep them in a ziplock bag or Tupperware container? Keep them in their factory box, and they may stay fresh for a month. Unless your cigar-loving pal is a prolific smoker of cigars, it’s likely that they’ll have cigars leftover and going stale.

The answer? A cigar humidor, which is the perfect storage solution for cigars. These boxes maintain a relative humidity essential for cigars, as tobacco leaves can expand and contract according to the air around them. This can ruin a cigar surprisingly quickly, and is something you want to mitigate.

It’s simple; if cigars aren’t kept in a special place, they can become soggy or dry depending on the amount of moisture in the air. Humidors are able to regulate humidity and temperature to preserve the freshness and flavour of tobacco. If you’re looking for the ideal gift to give a cigar lover this Christmas, here’s the lowdown on how to store cigars properly and how to choose a humidor.

DIFFERENT HUMIDOR TYPES

Cigar humidors come in different types and sizes, and the most common domestic one is a desktop humidor. These are small wooden boxes that you can keep on the counter of your desk or shop. They are also designed for commercial purposes where they act as displays for different flavours in retail and coffee shops. Desktop components can store between 50 and 100 products, and they have a lockset for security, humidifiers, and hygrometer. 

Cabinet humidors are larger and have space for thousands of cigars. These are meant for collectors, and they also boast a more reliable electric humidification system. The cabinet humidor comes with a refill of distilled water, and it can store cigars for several years. 

Travel humidors, on the other hand, are meant for travelling, and they are small in size and lightweight. However, they come with all the features meant to preserve tobacco, and are a far better option for storing cigars than simply hoping for the best.  

HUMIDOR FEATURES

All humidors come with hygrometers that can be digital or analogue, and they help monitor the level of humidity. Essentially, the best humidors are designed to store cigars over a long period. Therefore, they come with a hygrometer that plays a role in monitoring the level of humidity to preserve the freshness and flavour of tobacco. 

Humidifiers are also put inside the humidors to maintain the appropriate level of humidity and moisture. The architecture of humidors also plays a crucial role in maintaining humidity balance. Though some storage options come fronted with glass, wood cases are more popular, and, let’s face it, look significantly more suave.

SIZING

There are different types of cigar humidors available on the market with each designed to suit the needs of various people. The first step is to choose the right size that can carry your cigar collection. 

If you are a distributor, a room humidor can be the best option for you. If you plan to collect just a dozen cigars, a tabletop humidor or cabinet humidor is likely more appropriate. Medium-sized humidors may provide the benefit of aesthetic appeal as they can blend well with the furniture in your home. In some cases, a humidor can even look ornamental.

If you pick the wrong size of humidor, you may not be able to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity. For instance, if the humidor is too small, you can end up cramming the cigars too tightly together, which can increase the presence of moisture and affect their quality. As a general rule, you must get a humidor that is slightly bigger than what you intend to collect. This will give you room to collect extra cigars, and you can still keep them in the humidor. 

MATERIAL 

Humidors made of wood provide the best quality in terms of preserving humidity. There are different types of wood humidors, with the most premium arguably Spanish Cedar. Acrylic, glass and metal may also be used.

That said, cedarwood is unequivocally the best material for a humidor, as it’s a great insulator while being porous enough for tight, precise humidity control. This material also offers the best protection against tobacco beetles. Though Spanish Cedar is considered the best material, American Red Cedar and Honduran Mahogany are also commonly used and offer similar benefits.

CHOOSE A HUMIDOR WITH A TIGHT SEAL

A tight seal is an essential component that determines the quality of your cigars. If the storage isn’t airtight, your tobacco will lose flavour over time. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

A humidor is an excellent solution to keep your cigars fresh for several months or even years, depending on your needs. While there are different types of cigar humidors, each kind plays a crucial role in protecting your tobacco. When shopping for a cigar humidor, it is vital to get a quality model that boasts an elegant design, seal, lid, and material. 

*Smoking kills. Check out the Government’s official Smokefree resource for advice on quitting.*