Everything You Need to Know About Storing Your Cigars

Like fine wines, premium cigars have aging potential that varies depending on their composition. Tobacco is a living material that continues to evolve long after it has been harvested and processed. Depending on the blend of tobaccos used in a cigar, it will therefore have greater or lesser aging potential. This aging process allows a cigar to reach full maturity and thus offer an enhanced tasting experience. It will gain not only in complexity but also in finesse. However, for this improvement to fully develop, a cigar must not be stored just any way. There are indeed certain rules to follow in order to ensure the optimal development of its aromas and flavors over time.

Which cigars should be aged, and for how long?

Depending on its composition and manufacturing process, a cigar’s aging potential can vary considerably. Some cigars are meant to be enjoyed quickly, while others can be stored for 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years. It is generally accepted that a mild cigar will gain little from being kept for a long period, whereas a fuller-bodied cigar will benefit more from aging. More complex cigars indeed have unique qualities, such as tertiary aromas or smoothness on the palate, that can only reach their full potential after a period of aging. It is also known that larger-ring cigars store better than slimmer cigars. 

That said, every cigar is different, and it is not possible to define an ideal aging period that would apply systematically to all cigars. To understand the maturation potential of a particular cigar, you can still consult the many guides available online and in print, or simply ask when purchasing at a cigar shop or on a specialized forum. You can also do your own tasting by smoking the same cigar at different intervals. Take notes during your tastings and try to see whether the quality of your cigars improves over time. If the answer is yes, then your cigar has every right to be in your aging humidor.

How should you store your cigars?

There’s no secret here! The best way to store your cigars is to keep them in a storage humidor. A humidor is specifically designed to ensure the ideal storage conditions for your vitolas. In addition to keeping them away from light, it helps maintain your cigars at a constant temperature and humidity. 

Quality humidors are indeed equipped with a humidifier and a hygrometer. The first helps maintain a certain level of humidity inside your humidor, while the second measures this level precisely and allows you to adjust it if necessary.

Which humidor should you choose?

Not all humidors are created equal. A quality humidor must meet a set of requirements in order to ensure the proper preservation of your precious vitolas. 

To make a cigar humidor as effective as possible, it is advisable to choose one with Spanish cedar walls and trays. This material helps maintain a constant humidity level in your humidor while protecting your cigars from pests. It is also prized for its pleasant aroma, which helps mellow your cigars and enrich their aromatic profile. Unlike woods such as oak or mahogany, cedar has a strong capacity to absorb and release moisture. It can retain humidity but also release it depending on external conditions. This self-regulation ensures a stable humidity level in your humidor and contributes to the proper long-term preservation of your cigars.

Depending on your needs, also make sure to choose a cigar humidor with sufficient capacity to hold your cigars. You will find humidors of all sizes, ranging from capacity for a few dozen cigars to several hundred. For the most dedicated collectors, there are also walk-in humidors that allow you to store several thousand cigars.

How do you prepare your cigar humidor?

Investing in a quality humidor is an essential step in properly preserving your cigars. That said, a cigar humidor does not regulate itself, and certain steps are necessary to ensure it functions properly. 

First of all, you need to make sure you maintain a level of humidity and a temperature that meet your cigars’ needs. To slow the tobacco fermentation process and preserve its combustion characteristics, a cigar humidor should therefore maintain a humidity level between 70% and 75%. Cigars should also be stored at a temperature between 18 and 22 degrees to prevent the appearance of mold and/or pests. Be sure as well to air out your humidor regularly to refresh the air inside it, but without leaving it open. Indeed, an oxygen level that is too high will tend to speed up tobacco fermentation and thus affect its flavor.

In order to function properly, the humidifiers in your storage humidors must also be refilled whenever needed. To do so, it is important to use distilled water rather than tap water. Tap water contains many germs capable of multiplying and forming mold inside your humidor. It also contains minerals that can damage the walls of your humidor and alter the taste of your cigars. The use of propylene glycol is also suitable, especially if you only rarely open your cigar humidor.