Cigars are a lot like fine wine: Both are organic products with their own special characteristics, and both need to be stored properly to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas that make them so special.
If you plan to store your cigars for longer than a day or two, you’ll need a humidor. Humidors can be as simple as a wooden box or as complex as a refrigerator, and there are several factors to consider as you shop. This cigar humidor buying guide will walk you through the basics, including the main types of humidors, their major features, and how to season and maintain your humidor once you’ve made your choice.
What Is a Humidor?
At its most basic, a humidor is a storage container designed to maintain steady humidity levels on the inside. A humidor may look like a simple wooden box, but a plain exterior often hides some important features. To keep humidity levels from fluctuating with changes in the weather, a humidor needs a tight seal around the door or lid. Relative humidity varies as temperatures change, so humidors should also be well insulated.
In addition to the container itself, a humidor has a humidification system that adds moisture to the air inside. Humidifiers can be as simple as a water-soaked sponge or florist foam. There are also specially designed crystal gel beads and Humidipaks that release moisture more evenly. High-end electronic humidifiers have sensors that test the humidity level and automatically add moisture as needed.
Why do you need a humidor?
Tobacco grows best in warm, humid climates, and the process of curing cigars also requires steady heat and the right amount of humidity to allow leaves to dry slowly, without rotting. The best cigars are produced in the humid island climates of Cuba and other Caribbean nations.
The bottom line? Cigars are born and raised in humidity, and they should be kept that way to prolong their lifespan and maintain their delicate flavors. Here’s what a humidor does for your cigars:
Protects Essential Oils
The unique flavors and aromas of your cigar collection come from the essential oils and other volatile compounds in the tobacco leaves. These are easily damaged by sunlight, heat, or cold. A humidor provides a dark place and a steady temperature to keep cigars at their best.
Maintains Proper Burn Temperature
When cigars dry out, the leaves burn hot and fast when you light them. This leads to acrid, unpleasant smoke. When cigars are too damp, they burn unevenly and can even be hard to smoke at all, thanks to expanded leaves that make it difficult to draw air through them.
Prevents Insect Damage
Tobacco beetle larvae can survive curing and even aggressive fumigation, lying dormant inside your cigars until humidity and temperatures rise and encourage them to hatch. An infestation can destroy an entire cigar collection, but a humidor will keep humidity too low to trigger tobacco beetles’ life cycle.
Improves Flavor During Aging
Storing fine cigars for a year or more can enhance their flavors, which undergo subtle changes as they age. A humidor made of aromatic Spanish cedar protects cigars for the long haul and imparts its own flavor for the complex, mellow results that are sought after by aficionados.
Buy Electric Humidors
Proper storage makes all the difference in the quality of a cigar, so keep yours at the perfect temperature and humidity levels with a cigar humidor from NewAir. Our cigar coolers and humidors feature Spanish cedar shelving and stainless steel accents. Choose the right size for your space knowing that they’re all climate-controlled and whisper-quiet.
NewAir 250 Count Electric Cigar Humidor
Our DOE-approved Thermoelectric 250 Count Cigar Humidor evenly distributes cool air and locks in moisture to help you preserve the full flavor of your cigar collection. Inside the stylish stainless-steel casing, you’ll find removable Spanish cedar shelves and drawers, a new easy-touch digital thermostat that keeps temperatures as cool as 52 degrees. This compact humidor is ideal for budding aficionados who need to keep their cigars protected from the elements in warm climates.
NewAir 840 Count Electric Cigar Humidor
True cigar aficionados know that maintaining optimal conditions is crucial for preserving the flavor and aromas of each special stick. The NewAir 840 Count Cigar Humidor makes it easier than ever to store your collection properly, thanks to cutting-edge climate control features that let you set temperature and humidity at the touch of a button. Peek-In™ Spanish cedar drawers and LED lights to add style and function to a cigar cooler that’s roomy enough for even the most avid collector.
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