Can You Rehydrate Cigars?

There’s nothing worse than a cigar drying out, becoming cracked and lifeless. The good news is that this is entirely preventable.

Cigars are carefully constructed from fermented tobacco leaves. Like most organic things, they’re susceptible to drying out. Especially when stored improperly. But it’s totally possible to rehydrate your cigar collection if you’ve noticed they’re a bit lackluster.

In this guide, we’ll provide some tips and tricks on how to save your favorite smokes.

Why Do Cigars Dry Out?

Like most organic products, cigars are capable of drying out and going bad without proper care. They’re made from tobacco leaves which contain natural essential oils. But cigars are hygroscopic. They react to the moisture in their environment.

Cigars should be stored at 65–70% relative humidity. When temperatures drop below this number, they start to lose some of their moisture. Possible causes of dry cigars include low humidity and drastic fluctuations in temperature. They also fare poorly when subjected to prolonged exposure to air. This could happen when cigars are left unprotected during travel or relocation.

The resulting cigars which have dried out are horrible to taste. They develop a harsh, bitter flavor, and are subject to fast and uneven burning. They can also give out excessive heat while you’re smoking. Smokers often notice unravelling packaging too.

How to Tell if Your Cigars Are Too Dry

Here are a few ways to tell if your cigars are too dry:

• Texture: Feel the texture of the cigar in your hand. If it feels brittle, and starts to crack or crumble, it needs rehydrating.
• Wrapper: Look at the appearance of the wrapper. A cigar that needs rehydrating will have cracks and splits which are visible.
• Burn: A dried-out cigar will burn unevenly, and become unusually hot upon lighting.
• Aroma: A key giveaway of a dried out cigar is a stale, musty aroma.
• Taste: A cigar in desperate need of rehydration will taste bitter and harsh to smoke.

How to Rehydrate Cigars

Can you rehumidify cigars? The answer is yes! There are several steps you can take to bring new life to your cigars.

Using a Humidor

This is by far the best method for rehydrating your cigars. It is the safest and most effective way to return moisture to your collection. When storing cigars in your humidor, make sure the moisture level is set to 62–65% humidity.

To rehydrate your cigars safely, increase the humidity incrementally by 1–2% every few days. This should be done until it reaches 70%. You’ll need to practice patience, as restoring cigars using this method may take a few weeks.

Using a Cigar Humidifier

Cigar humidifiers can be used in different types of storage containers. These all help to rehydrate a dried-out cigar. Use a distilled water or propylene glycol solution. Then, place your cigars near the humidifier. Make sure they’re not directly touching each other. Take care to monitor the humidification levels carefully. This method is good for smaller batches of cigars.

Using Boveda Packs

Boveda Packs have a patented two-way humidity control. They contain natural salt solution inside a vapor-friendly membrane. This membrane allows moisture to travel inside and outside the packs.

When humidity drops, the packs automatically release moisture. Alternatively, if the air is too humid, the packs will absorb the moisture in the air. This makes them a popular method for regulating the humidity of your cigars.

To use them for rehydration, simply place your cigar in a sealed container. Then, place a 62% Boveda pack near it for rehydration. You can gradually swap the RH level of the Boveda Packs to 65% or 69% as your cigar starts to regain moisture.

The Ziplock Bag Method

This is great If you don’t have access to a humidor or other traditional methods of humidification. The ziplock bag method is easy, affordable, and accessible. All you have to do is purchase a large, ziplock bag, then grab a sponge.

Soak the sponge in distilled water, then give it a squeeze to get rid of any excess moisture. Place this inside the bag, then place your cigars beside the sponge. Make sure to avoid direct contact.

Seal it up and store it in a cool dark space away from direct sunlight. To make sure the moisture is distributed evenly, rotate your cigars every few days.

When Is Rehydration Impossible?

Rehydration is sometimes impossible, even if you try the methods outlined above. Here’s how to tell if your collection is beyond repair:

• Wrapper damage: Your wrapper has cracked with the contents of the cigar spilling out.
• Extreme dryness: Prolonged dryness may cause the oils to dry out permanently.
• Mold: If you spot mold on the surface of your cigars, it’s important to throw them out immediately.
• Humidification damage: Sometimes, cigars are damaged beyond repair from over-humidification. Though this might sound counter-intuitive, over-humidification can make cigars structurally weaker. This is also true for fluctuating humidity levels.

Cigar Smoking Dos and Don’ts

Dos

• Dehydrate your cigar patiently.
• Only use distilled water when rehydrating. 
• Monitor humidity levels carefully
• Rotate your cigars during the rehydration process.
• Store cigars in a sealed, airtight container.

Don’ts

• Rush the process, as the wrapper can crack.
• Use tap water, which has chemicals that damage cigars.
• Place them too close to moisture, which causes excessive dampness.
• Ignore humidity levels, we’d always recommend using a hygrometer to monitor the conditions.
• Never rehydrate cigars which have developed mold.

Next Steps for Perfect Smokes

And that’s how to rehydrate a cigar. With a little time and effort, it’s possible to restore your cigars to their proper humidity. All you need is an airtight container, moisture, and plenty of patience! Simply follow the steps above, and your collection will be rehydrated in no time.

Armed with the know-how to take care of your collection, it’s time to buy some smokes. Here at Swiss Cuban Cigars, we sell a wide selection of premium, authentic Cuban cigars. Browse today to start your journey.