Cigar humidor: features and advantages

Stroking a cigar between your fingers before lighting it is not only part of the ritual. It is also the best way to know if it has been kept in the conditions it needs. A cigar humidor is essential for this. Not only for the enjoyment of smoking but, above all, so that this jewel of nature at man’s disposal can be smoked.

Far from thinking that the cigar humidor is a simple accessory, today we want to discover why it is essential. An item that has been with us for centuries and that is the successor of a much more rudimentary system. We are talking about when cigars were preserved in a wooden box accompanied by the core of an apple. An ally to maintain the humidity required by these cigars.

Let’s see what are the characteristics of the cigar humidor and, what is more important, the reason why we must have one.

What is a cigar humidor for?

Due to the characteristics of this type of cigars, using a cigar humidor is key. They will not only allow us to fully enjoy smoking them. In addition, they will be true allies in their conservation. Because they are made with leaves, cigars have a specific temperature and humidity demand to keep them in top shape.

We say this to understand the weight of the cigar humidor. It is important to understand that cigars are cigars of tropical origin. Cigars that, in the countries where they originate, have certain atmospheric conditions that play in their favor to preserve them. However, this is not the case in most of the countries where they are a prized tobacco. And, because of the different climates or ways of storing them, they can dry out or become excessively humid.

If they are exposed to too much humidity, a layer of mildew is likely to appear on them. It is usually white in color. A true demonstration that the composition of a cigar is a living thing. In this case, the solution is to gently brush the surface of the cigar and remove them from the cigar humidor to prevent their spread. Of course, if the cigars are exposed to humidity for too long, they may rot.

The scenario changes substantially if the cigars dry out. In this case, after two or three months, they will lose their original flavor and will sting when smoked. An irreparable damage that, in many occasions, means having to throw the cigar away.

Cigar humidor features

The cigar humidor is our lifeline to keep them properly. A compartment that safeguards these two vital aspects for the preservation of this type of cigars.

Since humidity is crucial for them, the cigar humidor is designed to maintain a relative humidity between 65% and 70%. Since this humidity can vary as a consequence of the ambient temperature, it is advisable to buy a cigar humidor with a hygrometer. Thanks to this mechanism and independently of the outside, our cigars will remain at that humidity percentage.

Lacquered cigar humidor

In addition to humidity, the humidor also maintains the temperature required by the cigars: between 16 and 18 degrees.

And, as much as it may seem, let’s break a myth: a cigar humidor is not an airtight compartment. It does not close hermetically. In fact, it needs a minimum air intake to maintain its humidity and temperature conditions. A way of feeding from the outside to watch over those treasures hidden inside.

Advantages of the cigar humidor

Beyond conservation, the humidor has another more valuable function. A less known one, and that is to know the natural evolution of the cigars.

From the moment a cigar leaves the cigar roller’s bench, it takes time. Time for the tobacco leaves with which it is formed to integrate. Time for the cigar’s blend to combine completely. Time, in short, for the blend of tobaccos devised in its manufacture to show its splendor when smoked.

In order to achieve this, the humidor is vital, since it is a key element for the correct aging of the cigars thanks to its temperature and humidity balance.

Our humidors

Historically, a cigar humidor can be a work of art. A compartment made of fine woods that not only preserves the tobacco inside. In addition, its simple presence became an object of attention. An accessory even decorative, perfect to define with its presence the personality of a space or its inhabitants.

Mahogany cigar humidor

With the passage of time, the wooden cigar humidor continues to be in vogue. However, its concept has changed substantially to adapt to new trends. This is a good reason why, in addition to finding classic cedar or bengue cigar humidors, we can also find others with more innovative designs. Some that fully comply with their function, but with more modern presentations and adapted to more avant-garde tastes.

From the pyramidal cigar humidor to those that combine colored wood finishes, through cigar cabinet humidor. The world of the cigar humidor is such that we can even find travel humidors to take them with us if we are away from home. Or simply in your pocket.

Portable humidor

Different possibilities so that, in any place, we can enjoy the incredible pleasure of smoking a cigar as it should be: without renouncing to its flavors.