Cigars can keep for many years in a properly maintained humidor. With the right temperature, humidity level, and storage conditions, premium handmade cigars can maintain their flavor, aroma, and smoking qualities for decades.
What is a humidor?
A humidor is a box or room that maintains a constant humidity level to store cigars and preserve their quality over time. Humidors come in many shapes and sizes from small desktop units to large walk-in humidors. They typically contain some device to regulate humidity such as a humidifier along with a hygrometer to monitor the humidity level.
Key features of a humidor
- Airtight seal – Keeps humidity in and airflow minimal
- Spanish cedar lining – Absorbs and emits moisture to regulate RH
- Humidifier – Usually a sponge or crystal media to add moisture
- Hygrometer – Measures relative humidity inside
Ideal humidity level
The ideal humidity level for storing cigars is around 65-70%. Lower humidity can cause cigars to dry out, lose flavor, and crack. Higher humidity encourages mold growth. 65-70% relative humidity provides the right moisture content for cigars to burn and taste their best.
Consequences of humidity being too high or low
High humidity (70%+):
- Mold growth
- A mushy or bitter taste
- Unraveling wrappers
Low humidity (60% or less):
- Cracked wrappers
- A tight draw
- Loss of subtle flavors
Ideal temperature range
The best temperature for storing cigars is around 65 to 72 °F. Temperatures higher than 75 °F can damage cigars and lower temps around 60 °F may dry them out.
Effects of temperature on cigars
High temps (75°F+):
- Drying and unraveling wrappers
- Mold growth
- Off flavors and bitterness
Low temps (below 60°F):
- Brittle wrappers prone to cracking
- Uneven burns
- Loss of flavors and aromas
Tips for maintaining ideal humidity
Here are some tips for keeping the ideal 65-70% humidity inside your humidor:
- Get an accurate digital hygrometer
- Use humidification beads, gel, or pods which release moisture gradually
- Use more/less humidification as needed based on hygrometer
- Seal the humidor tightly
- Don’t open humidor frequently
- Store cigar boxes lid side up to contain RH
Tips for maintaining ideal temperature
Tips for keeping your humidor around 65-72°F include:
- Store in an interior room away from windows and doors
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Use a thermoelectric humidor cooler if needed
- Avoid areas prone to high or low temps
- Consider using a wineador which cools like a fridge
How aging affects cigars
Over time, cigars undergo a slow aging and fermentation process inside a humidor. This can improve their taste considerably. Positive effects include:
- Smoothes out harsh flavors
- Intensifies, blends, and balances flavors
- Lingering aftertaste improves
- Oils redistribute through the tobacco leaf
Well-aged cigars are often noticeably mellower, creamier, and more complex than young cigars. However, cigars can also decline after too many years.
Decline of very old cigars
If stored for many decades, cigars may start to decline in quality and flavor. Signs of decline include:
- Strength fades
- Flavors become muddled
- Oils dry out
- Burn and draw issues develop
Most experts recommend smoking premium cigars within 10-15 years of production for peak flavor.
How long do cigars last in ideal conditions?
With proper storage conditions, most premium cigars will last and improve for:
- 5-10 years – Many non-Cuban cigars
- 10-15 years – Top-shelf non-Cubans
- 15-25+ years – High-end Cubans
Cigars can maintain their peak for many years. But they may start to decline after a few decades. Storage conditions have a huge impact on longevity.
Factors impacting cigar lifespan
- Humidity – Too high causes mold, too low causes dried-out cigars
- Temperature – Too high or low damages wrappers and flavor
- Air circulation – Minimal airflow is best
- Light exposure – Keep away from direct sunlight
With ideal conditions, premium handmade cigars often get better with age for the first 5-15 years, then slowly decline after that. Cigars may still be enjoyable for several decades if properly stored.
How to store cigars for longevity
Follow these best practices to keep cigars fresh for as long as possible:
- Store at 65-70% RH and 65-72°F
- Use a well-sealed desktop humidor or cooler
- Keep away from light in boxes with lids on
- Allow airflow between cigars, don’t overpack humidor
- Handle cigars gently to avoid damaging wrappers
- Allow cigars a rest period of a few weeks after transport
Avoid these detrimental conditions
- Temperatures below 60°F or above 75°F
- Direct sunlight or bright indoor light
- Dry air drying out cigars below 60% RH
- Opening humidor frequently
- Bumping or rough handling that damages wrappers
How humidors protect cigars
A quality humidor provides the ideal climate for both short and long term cigar storage. Benefits include:
- Maintains 65-70% RH to prevent drying out
- Spanish cedar regulates humidity and provides aroma
- Airtight seal keeps humidity stable inside
- Coolers or thermoelectric units hold ideal 65-72°F temp
- Hygrometer monitors conditions
- Dark interior prevents light damage
Humidors protect cigars from environmental factors that will quickly ruin them like dry air, temperature swings, light exposure, and physical damage.
Advantages over other storage methods
Compared to other options, a humidor has advantages:
- Better than open air – no control over humidity/temps
- Better than fridge – too dry and cold
- Better than plastic bags – inadequate humidity stability
- Better than wooden box – no humidity regulation
For long term aging, nothing protects cigars better than an actively humidified humidor or cooler that maintains the ideal climate.
How many cigars can be stored?
The number of cigars that can be stored depends on the humidor’s size and design. Some general guidelines:
- Desktop humidor – 50-200 cigars
- Wine cooler converted humidor – 500-3000 cigars
- Large walk-in humidor – 3000+ cigars
Important factors in capacity include:
- Amount of Spanish cedar lining
- Strength of humidification system
- Box storage vs individual cigars
- Size of cigars – larger RG takes more space
Cigars should have some airflow between them and not be tightly packed. Leaving a little extra room is ideal.
Tips for maximizing capacity
Some tips to safely store more cigars:
- Use multiple humidifier units
- Store boxes lid side up to contain RH
- Rearrange boxes periodically
- Add more cedar shelves if needed
- Use Beads, Bovedas, or Xikar gels for two-way humidity
With the right humidor and a little room between cigars, hundreds if not thousands of cigars can be properly stored and aged.
How to monitor a humidor
It’s important to actively monitor your humidor to ensure ideal cigar storage conditions are maintained over time. Recommended practices include:
- Check hygrometer often
- Recharge humidifier as needed
- Use max/min hygrometer to catch RH swings
- Monitor temperature closely
- Watch cigars for mold or beetles
- Keep exterior clean and humidor sealed
- Re-season humidor occasionally
Catching any changes early allows quick adjustment before cigars are damaged by improper conditions. Don’t allow humidity to drop into the 50s or rise above 70% RH if possible.
Hygrometer monitoring
A hydrometer measures relative humidity. Digital models are most accurate. Tips for using a hygrometer:
- Calibrate annually
- Note % RH trends
- Aim for 65-70% RH
- Move away from humidifier to avoid localized high RH readings
- Max/min feature helps catch swings
Monitor humidity closely each week and refill humidification devices regularly to maintain proper storage conditions.
Troubleshooting humidor problems
Sometimes issues arise with maintaining ideal conditions inside a humidor. Common troubles and solutions include:
Humidity too high
- Remove humidifier temporarily
- Absorb excess moisture with dry cedar spills
- Distribute cigars to allow more airflow
- If mold – remove cigars immediately and clean humidor
Humidity too low
- Refill/replace humidifier
- Use humidifier beads which absorb and release RH
- Check humidor seal for leaks
- Re-season the interior cedar
Temperature too high
- Move humidor to cooler location
- Use a thermoelectric wineador
- Rotate frozen water bottles to cool temporarily
Temperature too low
- Move to warmer spot
- Use a heating pad or other gentle heating method
- Insulate the humidor exterior
Monitor closely over time and make humidity, temperature, or seal adjustments as needed to maintain ideal cigar storage conditions.
Common mistakes
It’s easy to make mistakes managing a cigar humidor. Watch out for:
- Assuming the humidity is right without monitoring
- Not calibrating hygrometer often
- Letting humidity drop too low
- Overfilling humidor with too many cigars
- Leaving light or airflow entering humidor
- Ignoring warning signs like smell or beetles
- Forgetting to replace humidifier
- Not giving cigars a rest period after transport
Actively monitoring humidity levels, refilling humidifiers, controlling temperature swings, and limiting disturbances will go a long way towards proper maintenance.
Signs of trouble
Watch for these signs:
- Reading below 60% or above 70% RH
- Temperature above 75°F or below 60°F
- Cigars feeling hard and brittle or soft and spongy
- Mold or beetles spotted
- Burn issues when smoking
- Off aromas or taste
Don’t ignore the warning signs! As soon as you notice anything amiss, inspect your humidor closely and make corrections to get conditions back ideal.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ideal humidity level?
Around 65-70% relative humidity. Lower can dry out cigars, higher may cause mold.
What temperature should a humidor be?
65-72°F is ideal. Higher or lower can damage flavor.
How many cigars can I store?
Depends on size, but 50-300 for desktop, 500+ for large walk-ins. Leave some space between cigars.
Should I keep boxes closed or open in the humidor?
Keeping lids closed helps contain humidity. But opening periodically allows airflow and freshens cigars.
How often should I monitor the humidor?
Check humidity weekly. Check for temperature swings, odor issues, mold, or beetles frequently too.
Can I use a wine cooler for cigars?
Yes, wine coolers converted into humidors (wineadors) work great. Add cedar and humidification.
How long do cigars last in ideal conditions?
5-25+ years depending on the cigar’s quality. Flavor peaks then declines over decades.
Do I need to season a new humidor?
Yes, season by wiping down cedar interior with distilled water or a humidifier to absorb moisture.
Conclusion
With ideal storage conditions, premium cigars can stay fresh in a humidor for many years, even decades. Monitor humidity closely between 65-70% RH, maintain temperatures at 65-72°F, limit light and airflow, and watch for any warning signs. Refill humidifiers regularly, calibrate hygrometers often, keep humidors clean, and avoid overcrowding. Active humidor maintenance allows long term cigar storage with proper aging and no loss of quality over time.
