A passionate cigar smoker is normally always a collector of cigar accessories, particularly cabinets for humidifying and preserving cigars, known as humidors. Elegant, varnished and cedar-lined boxes designed to support a healthy ageing and storage of cigars.
The only way to keep cigars fresh, well humidified with a preserved aroma is to provide them with an ambient temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity of no less than 69-70 per cent. In effect, preserving a cigar is keeping it at the temperature and humidity in which it was a created. For this, cigar humidors have become a much sought after gadget for cigar smokers with some becoming decadent pieces of collectible art that will make a wonderful addition to your office or home furniture.
Many of the famous makers of cigar humidors such as Davidoff, Dupont or Elie Bleu specialise in decorative and collector items with high precision calibrators of humidity and temperatures. Otherwise called humidifiers, the little sieve-like piece inside the humidor is where distilled water evaporates to maintain humidity at a level no less than 70 per cent. Some of the well-made humidors possess a self-calibrating technology that maintains ideal humidity and temperature for months on end without having to be checked weekly.
The composition of the humidor is no less important than its looks. True connoisseurs should stay away from humidors that are lined with wood other than the special kiln-dried cedar. Known for its exceptional quality of keeping humidity and teasing out the aromas of cigars, the cedar wood – also known as cederala odorata – comes from a special Latin American tree that resembles European, Spanish or Lebanese cedars but possesses different qualities. Its cedar aroma is milder which is ideal for imparting moderate flavours to cigars (after all who wants to smoke a cedar stick), its wood is easily dried and can absorb humidity quickly, hence keeping your humidor humidified for longer periods of time.
Most humidors come with a humidifier and a thermometer to measure the temperature at which cigars should be kept. Since most cigar tobacco grows in quasi-tropical climates, it is important to create the same climate conditions to preserve and potentially age cigars – hence the importance of maintaining the 70-70 ratio of temperature to humidity. Going above 70 per cent humidity will risk an over-humidified and potentially cracked, difficult to smoke cigar. Maintaining a lower humidity might entail dried cigars with bitter tastes and repressed aromas. Keeping your cigars at ambient temperature and humidity not only will preserve the freshness and aromas of your smokes but will also assist in the ageing process. As cigars are made from natural leaves, they constantly ferment themselves by secreting natural oils and in the process developing complexity, spiciness and aromas. This can only happen if the cigars are maintained at an ideal temperature and humidity and in well-made humidors.
Humidors come in three categories: travel humidors, desktop and cabinet humidors. Travel humidors are made for the discerning smokers who like their cigars constantly fresh and tasty. Conveniently make to fit your briefcase, travel humidors fit anywhere between 10-20 cigars. Desktop humidors have become a piece of art for their decorative aspect and can fit anywhere from 30-300 cigars depending on the size and type. Some of these humidors include collector items such as the JFK humidor that was auctioned and sold for just over 500,000 USD ten years ago. Cabinet humidors are designed to store very large quantities.
Therefore now that you understand the science behind the box there is no need to think outside it. Stop by a store that specialises in any one of the three brands mentioned earlier and enjoy fresh and complex cigars for years to come.
