How to Keep Cigars Fresh
Everyone who likes cigars needs to know how to keep cigars fresh. Because nobody likes to smoke a stale cigar do they?
The simplest method is to store them in the controlled environment of a humidor, correctly set up with a consistent temperature of around 68˚F and a relative humidity level of 70%. Every degree that the temperature drops, the humidity should be increased by 1%, so if your environment is 65˚F, consider increasing the humidity to 73%.
You can make your own humidor or buy a humidor, with the express purpose of letting your sticks age properly, so that they can reach their highest potential.
A humidor is made up of an agent like a sponge, a dish of water, or a small clay brick, distilled water, and an airtight seal. Other accouterments include a hygrometer to measure the humidity in the air.
Your sticks should never rest up against your humidifying agent, or there’s a chance mold could grow on them. With a monthly check-up, you can monitor the humidor’s climate to guard against damage.
There’s a bit of range in optimal temperature and relative humidity, according to what type of Cuban cigar you smoke. In general, the conditions should be a degree or two above or below 68˚F and humidity hovering around 70%. This is an ideal state for aging cigars.
When cigars age properly, they develop plume rather than mold. The surrounding elements’ flavors, including other sticks and the wood of the humidor, mingle with their own. Many people opt for cedar-lined humidors to season their sticks with aromatic wood oils.
To keep humidity at an even level, a humidor must maintain a consistent temperature. Avoid keeping your humidor in direct sunlight or near a window as it may warm slightly on sunnier days, and the breeze can cause a steep temperature decrease.
The seal is the most crucial part of the humidor as it keeps the slightly damp, warm inside separate from the dryer, cooler outdoor air. Even if it’s just a Tupperware or Ziploc bag humidor, the seal must be airtight.
You can buy cedar-lined humidors expressly made to age and season sticks perfectly. More robust cigars like Robustos are usually aged for longer, as the intense flavors need to mellow for at least five years.
You can also use Tupperware or a cooler as DIY humidors. Dampened sponges (cut to size so that they don’t rest against your sticks) add the humidity you need to keep cigars just moist enough.
In a fix, you can use some dampened paper towels in a Ziplock bag, a handy trick if you’ve been gifted a bunch of Cohibas on a trip and you want to transport them home safely.
Even if you have the most expensive humidor on the market, all the seasoning and aging in the world won’t make a difference if you buy cheap stogies. If you’re learning how to keep cigars fresh, the best results are always achieved with hand-rolled cigars from Cuba.
Cuban cigars are an investment: you wouldn’t buy a prime cut of meat only to leave it on the counter for a few days. This same theory applies to cigars: why invest the money in a Partagás Maduro if you’re going to let it go bad by leaving it in harsh conditions? Keep your prize sticks safely in humidor to enjoy an optimal smoking experience.
Explore our range of authentic Cuban cigars from brands including Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, and Montecristo.