How to Store Cigars

The main reason we store our cigars is to keep them fresh. The tobacco in every cigar is sensitive to humidity. It can both absorb and release moisture from its surrounding environment. Therefore, if you place a cigar in an environment that is too dry, it can lose its essential oils, flavors, and strength. And if you place that same cigar in an environment that is too humid, this can put the cigar in a state where it becomes difficult to get a decent draw from it, or even cause the wrapper to burst from excess buildup of moisture.

So what is the perfect environment to store cigars in? A rule of thumb, if you will, is to maintain the climate in which the cigar was manufactured. This is a process that will always differ with each cigar, but it is the best method to preserve the freshness of your cigars until you are ready to light them up.

In this post, we will be exploring the top 4 ways to store your cigars and keep them factory-fresh wherever you are.

1. A Handcrafted Wooden Humidor

The best way to store your cigars and keep them fresh that any cigar expert would recommend is by placing them in a humidor. In truth, your cigars should always stay in a humidor until you are ready to smoke them.

A humidor is a handcrafted wooden container designed to allow controlled air flow and equipped with a device that maintains the internal humidity and temperature levels of the container. This is especially important for keeping cigars fresh. The controlled environment within a humidor is designed to preserve the freshness, flavor, and strength of cigars for very long periods of time.

Keep in mind that a humidor is NOT a cigar box. A cigar box may be cheaper because it serves as the temporary packaging that your cigars come with. However, it will not keep your cigars fresh for long because it has no humidity source or seal mechanism.

When you store your cigars in a humidor, always take not of the following:

• Buy a good humidor that allows you to adjust its internal temperature according to the cigars you are storing presently.
• Always take special care to maintain the right temperature inside your humidor.
• Buy a humistat or hygrometer to ensure the humidity or moisture levels in your humidor are always perfect.

2. Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags make great storage if you are only looking to store a few cigars. All you need is a regular Ziploc bag and a damp sponge.

First, place the sticks in the Ziploc. Then wet a new sponge and ring out any excess water from it. Place the sponge in the bag and seal the Ziploc tightly. The damp sponge will keep the setup humid for a few weeks. Just be sure to check in on the cigars occasionally to make sure the sponge does not dry up.

3. Tupperware Container

A Tupperware container (or you can use a glass jar) offers a little more protection than a Ziploc bag. It is still not as failsafe as a real humidor, but it makes a very nice makeshift one. Tupperware containers and glass jars are great for storing more than just a few cigars.

You can also use the damp sponge technique here to keep the humidity up in the container. The only difference in this case is that you should use distilled water. This will help to prevent mold and ensure that the cigars will not be exposed to any chemicals found in standard tap water that could affect their flavor.

4. Small Cooler

Besides a humidor, the only other best option for storing your cigars which you can use for more than a few months is a standard cooler. Any size of cooler can work depending on how many cigars you are looking to store.

A cooler will do an okay job of keeping the relative humidity around your cigars where it needs to be for that extended period of time. While a damp sponge will also do the trick in this case, the better way to maintain and control humidity under this method is by using distilled water, a proper humidification device, and a hydrometer. All of these will cost you less than $20, and you will have an excellent, full-time, makeshift humidor that you won’t have to check on so often.

Conclusion

Cigars can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of months, but how fresh they remain through their lifespan depends on how well you manage their storage. Remember to always pay attention to temperature and humidity wherever you choose to store your cigars, and you will enjoy them for a very long time!

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