The Ultimate Cigar Storage Manifesto!

A humidor is simply a well-made box designed exclusively for storing cigars. Many of the better ones have lift out trays and dividers, which are of great benefit. These features help you organize your cigars and allow easy access to the cigars you might wish to smoke at any given time.

Humidors come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Some are simple, classic designs, while others are wildly exotic. Humidors can be quite expensive, so you should view a wide variety and take your time selecting one. A good humidor should not only serve your needs, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

Pre-Purchase Humidor Tips

Rarely are high-quality humidors inexpensive. Be prepared to spend $250 or more for a 150+ cigar humidor. If you can not afford to spend that much, and are not extremely humidor savvy, my advice is to not buy one until you can afford one. Using a "Tupperdor" or "Igloo or" is far less expensive, and less aggravating than trying to stabilize an inexpensive humidor. Both the inexpensive, non-traditional storage methods are discussed below, in the "Alternative Cigar Storage Methods" section.

Does that mean there are no good humidors for under that price? No, there are some very good humidors on the market for less than $250. However, you need to be extra critical when purchasing one, and you should not expect the majority of them to be as stable or as well made as those priced higher. If you live in an area where the ambient climate is close to an ideal cigar RH, then this probably won't be as important. However, if you live in place where the ambient humidity drops below 45% RH you need to be more concerned. A good humidor will not only protect your cigars, but will quickly become a cherished heirloom. If you are interested in economical cigar storage, you will most likely prefer to maintain your cigars in a plastic container.

When selecting a humidor, it is best to select one with 5/8," or greater, wall thickness. This thickness provides a good buffer between the outside ambient climate and your prized cigars.

There are many exceptional wood choices, but the standard is mahogany. You will never go wrong selecting a high-quality mahogany box.

Spanish cedar liner is a big plus. It serves three functions:

First, it acts as an additional buffering agent because the wood is absorbent and regulates at 60%-70%, along with your cigars.

Second, it helps to discourage beetle infestations. Beetles and other pests dislike the bitter flavor of Spanish cedar.

And finally, Spanish cedar imparts a slightly spicy flavor to your cigars as they age. This taste is appreciated by most smokers.

If you do not like this flavor note, do not hesitate to forego the Spanish Cedar lining; it is not essential. However, western cedar, red cedar, and/or aromatic cedar are NOT suitable substitutes for Spanish cedar. These woods will ruin the flavor of your cigars.

Look for a humidor with quality workmanship throughout - tight seal, good corner joints, perfect hinge installation, etc. A good humidor will be heavy and solid, and this is essential to prevent warping. Remember, a humidor endures a tremendous amount of stress. For example, in the winter where I live, the heat runs constantly. This results in an indoor ambient humidity of roughly 30%, yet my humidors maintain a constant near 67% on the inside. This type of immense relative humidity delta puts a tremendous strain on the wood and the joints of any humidor.

Breaking in your New Humidor

The first step in breaking in a new humidor is to be absolutely certain that your hygrometer is accurate. To do so, perform the "Salt Calibration Test" included in the Hygrometer section below.

A brand new humidor requires time to reach the appropriate humidity. Depending on your climate and how dry the wood is, this can take as little as a few days to upwards of a few weeks.

You can speed up this break-in period by wiping the insides down with a towel moistened with distilled water. BUT be very careful to not overdo it: if you do, you will cause an ugly water stain on the inside of your pristine humidor. Also wiping the inside will always cause the interior liner's grain to rise. Personally, I recommend you DO NOT do this; it is much better to be patient and allow your humidor to reach the appropriate humidity on its own.

It is not necessary to initially charge a Credo with propylene glycol (PG). It comes from the manufacturer pre-charged, as do most humidifiers. If in doubt, you should ask the tobacconist or manufacturer. If they don't know, then go ahead and rinse the humidifier completely, allow it to dry, and then begin with a 50/50 charge of PG and distilled water. By the way, a good indicator of whether the unit came precharged is by how it was packaged: When wrapped in a moisture retaining barrier they are almost always precharged, when just place in the a box or left in an open bin they are not.

After your humidor reaches 63% or so, it is a good idea to introduce your cigars to it. A humidor will stabilize better and more evenly when 75%+ of its volume is full. Try to maintain this volume of cigars at all times if possible. Open- air space inside a humidor is your enemy. (By the way, this is an excellent and legitimate explanation to give your spouse as to why you MUST buy another two boxes of your favorites cigars.)

Lift-out trays and moveable dividers are a big plus when selecting a humidor, particularly if they are made of Spanish cedar.

Make certain that there is room in the lid for the humidifying device you will utilize. You don't want wasted space simply because your Credo hangs too low in your humidor.

Also, make certain that all exterior sides of the humidor are sealed, including the bottom.

Remember that size claims of being a 25/50/75/100/200+ capacity humidor are typically based on corona/corona- extra-sized cigars. If you primarily smoke large cigars, it is important to adjust these numbers as appropriate. Also, if you are buying the humidor via mail order, ask for the inside dimensions so you can confirm that it has the storage volume you desire.

Maintaining your Humidor

Add distilled water to your humidifier when the relative humidity begins to dip. After the humidor has been stabilized, this dip should occur slowly and steadily... 69%, 68%, 67% and so on. Typically, I add distilled water when I hit 64% or so. Remember DO NOT saturate the Credo, but only moisten it! This is the biggest error most new humidor owners make. Keep in mind that a Credo not only raises the humidity to 70% RH, but it also lowers the humidity when it exceeds this level. Therefore it is essential that there is room left within the Credo's volume to absorb the excess moisture if necessary.

Only use distilled water. Tap water has chemicals and minerals that you do not want in contact with your cigars as they age. Also, tap water contains organics and is prone to developing mold. Distilled water is the only readily available water that is free of both mineral and organic impurities.

Do not be anal retentive about the RH humidity. Any number between 64% and 72% is fine; truth is, every cigar smokes differently. Some will be best at 68%, while other less-tightly-rolled cigars will burn better at 72%. Some people like their cigars even drier and try to keep them closer to 60%. Ignore what everyone tells you about 70/70 and experiment with slightly drier and wetter humidity levels until you find what you like best. Personally, I prefer 65%-67% RH as the ideal relative humidity.

Temperature control is not nearly as critical as the humidity. Any temperature between 50-75 degrees is fine. A couple of notes though; at the lower temp, the aging process slows down, while at the higher temp, the hatching of the dreaded tobacco beetle is a potential risk. More importantly, always keep your humidor out of the sunlight - being bathed in the sun's rays drastically escalates the internal temperature within the box. Also, never place it on a television set or near a stereo system, as any such electronic device will generate considerable heat.

Totally DISREGARD any table or advice explaining that the ideal humidity for storing your cigars changes depending on the temperature. This is a myth that sadly has been published in some otherwise respectable publications. It is based on the principles of absolute moisture content and not relative humidity. 70% relative humidity is 70% relative humidity regardless of the temperature (hence the term "relative").

Humidifiers maintain the desired relative humidity within your humidor. There are two primary types of humidifiers: Active and Passive.

Active humidifiers are electrically powered and typically utilize a built-in electronic sensor to determine whether they should add moisture to the air. A few top-end units will also extract extra moisture content from the air, but most do not. Typically, these units are very expensive and are intended for use with large furniture-size humidor cabinets. However, there are a few on the market for smaller humidors. One distinct advantage of active humidifiers is that you can easily set most to maintain a lower relative humidity if you so desire.

Passive humidifiers do not rely on any power whatsoever, are of simple design, and utilize basic vapor conduction to regulate relative humidity. These devices are typically inexpensive and serve almost everyone's humidifier needs. Although not as sophisticated as active humidifiers, passive ones are very capable of providing a stable environment for your cigars. Not only are they utilized in desktop humidors, but in large cabinet-size ones as well.

Commonly passive humidifiers are referred to as "Credos" regardless of their actual brand. This is because the Credo Company manufactures the unit that is regarded as the benchmark for passive humidifiers. It is kind of like all tissue paper being referred to as "Kleenex".

Passive humidifiers are traditionally constructed of sponge, clay, or oasis florist foam encased in a perforated container. The foam is moistened with distilled water and then placed within the humidor. Of the three materials, clay is the most durable, while the oasis foam is the best for regulating because of its open-cell structure, which allows it to retain large quantities of water. Any of the three are functional, but personally I recommend the green oasis florist foam.

Passive humidifiers control the relative humidity within your humidor by hydroscopic interaction with the air's moisture content. In lay terms, it basically expels moisture from the humidifier when the ambient relative humidity is below 70%, and absorbs water when the ambient relative humidity is above 70% RH. It accomplishes this task via the chemical propylene glycol (PG), which acts as a hydroscopic control agent. Most passive humidifiers are charged with a 50/50 solution of PG and distilled water.

Propylene glycol (PG) is an inert chemical that is used in a wide range of products, including animal feed, hair-care products, medicines, etc. It is safe to handle and consume if you so desire. It can be bought at most cigar stores but typically is labeled as "Regulating Solution" and sold for upwards of $20 for two ounces. I suggest you buy it from your local pharmacy instead; it usually can be bought from the pharmacist's counter for about $8 a pint.

When the humidity in your humidor dips below 70% RH, the PG expels the water contained in the humidifier. When the relative humidity is over 70%, it absorbs water. This is why it is critical to never overfill your humidifier, as it needs room left over in order for it to absorb excess moisture if needed. Over time, the PG will expend all of the water contained within the humidifier (assuming you live in area with a lower than 70% RH) and you will need to add more distilled water. You do not have to add more PG though, as it will remain in the humidifier until you rinse it out. In addition to its regulatory properties, PG also serves as an anti-bacterial agent that will help prevent molding.

Almost all commercially available humidifiers come pre-charged with PG, so there is no need to add any in the beginning. If in doubt, you can rinse it thoroughly, allow it to dry, and recharge it with the 50/50 solution. Over time, your PG will slowly evaporate from the humidifier, so I recommend you rinse clean and recharge your humidifier with 50/50 once every year or two.

Making an Oasis Foam Passive Humidifier

WET Oasis Foam - This is the type used for live floral arrangements. Do not use DRY Oasis foam; it will not work. WET Oasis foam is available at all florists and most craft stores.

Propylene Glycol (PG) - Chemical available from your pharmacist's counter for roughly $8 a pint. This is the "secret ingredient" in all regulating agents such as Credo's Special Care solution.

Distilled Water - Available at most grocery stores for about a buck a gallon. Any Container - Travel soapdish, film tube, etc.

Take a travel soap dish and drill numerous holes to allow substantial airflow throw the walls of the container. Cut the foam into a piece small enough to fit loosely into the container; it must be small enough to allow for adequate air circulation around its surface. Mix a 50/50 solution of PG and distilled water and moisten your oasis foam with the mixture. Remember MOISTEN - do not saturate!!! And voila'! - a homemade "Credo" for much less than those commercially sold. Amazing, huh? Also keep in mind that it takes a couple of days for the humidifier itself to stabilize before it can begin to regulate your humidor properly.

Additional Notes regarding Humidifiers

The size/number of humidifiers necessary depends on a number of things: ambient climate, your humidor's construction, number of times a day it is opened, how many cigars are in it, etc. But a good rule of thumb is:

A humidifier can never be too large: bigger is better with an emphasis towards more surface area rather than thickness.

Always remember; never overcharge a humidifier with distilled water.

Always use distilled water. It will prevent clogging and is far less likely to cause molding in your humidor. I am always amazed by people who say their tap water is "this and that" filtered perfect H2O... Don't be so cheap! You are storing cigars worth hundreds of dollars so the extra $0.99 a gallon for distilled water isn't going to kill you.

All passive humidifiers require a couple of days to settle in after being initially charged. Do not expect your humidor to be at 70% RH in just a few hours.

Most importantly, all humidifiers are going to regulate within a range of the desired RH; do not wig out over yours being a few percentage points off.

Advancements in Passive Humidifiers

In recent years, a couple of alternative to regulated foam-style passive humidifiers has been introduced to the cigar smoking public.

The first is units utilizing Crosslinked Polyacrylamide Humidity Crystals. These are beads of silica gel bound with a salt derivative designed to retain and expel large quantities of water. When treated with Propylene Glycol these dioxide beads work to maintain the same basic relative humidity hysteresis loop of 70% RH. Many people swear by the performance of these new crystal based humidifiers. Two distinct advantages are they require less refilling and, when packaged in a clear housing, allow for an easy visual cue when additional water is required.

The second is the use of newly developed hybrid latex foams as the unit's "sponge." Many are capable of holding extremely large quantities of water while others actually regulate the RH without the use PG. The controlling agent appears to be the foam's cellular membrane structure. I have limit experience with these units, but they seem to provide a very stable RH.

Hygrometers measure relative humidity and are commonly used by cigar smokers within their humidors to verify that the proper humidity level is maintained.

Both mechanical and electronic hygrometers are available. Typically, the mechanical ones are more attractive, while the electronic ones tend to be more accurate. But this is not always the case. Sadly, many hygrometers, both mechanical and electronic, are grossly inaccurate and require either adjustment or replacement. One of the easiest methods of verifying the accuracy of your hygrometer is to perform a "Salt Calibration Test."

Without boring you with the chemistry of why, let me simply state that this test will always result in achieving the exact relative humidity level of 75%.

Salt Calibration Test

Materials required:

• Tablespoon of plain Table Salt (NaCl - like Mortons)
• Empty Wide-Mouth Jar with lid (like an old Mayo jar)
• Bottle Cap (like those on a Snapple bottle)
• Coffee Stirrer (or other thin object with which to stir)
• Distilled Water
• Your Hygrometer

Place the tablespoon of salt within the bottle cap. Slowly add distilled water to the salt while stirring with the coffee stirrer. You want to add just enough water to moisten the salt so that it becomes a thick paste. Do not add enough water to dissolve the salt!

Place the bottle cap with salt gently into your wide-mouth jar then add your hygrometer. Make certain that the sensor is exposed and not being blocked by the sides of the jar.

Seal the jar - this test will not work if there are any leaks. Then put the jar in a place out of direct sunlight and with a stable temperature.

Leave undisturbed for a minimum of 8 hours.

Check the reading on the hygrometer through the glass jar. It should read on or near 75% RH.

Due to the salt paste reacting with the confined air the ambient RH within the jar will be exactly 75% RH. Most inexpensive hygrometers are only accurate to within 3% of 75% RH, so do not be surprised if yours reads 72% or 78% RH. Whatever it reads plus or minus from the 75% benchmark is the amount of error of your hygrometer.

What you do about an error depends on the circumstances. If your hygrometer has an adjustment potentiometer then, by all means, try to tweak it to exactly 75%. You should repeat the Salt Calibration Test after making any adjustments. If your hygrometer can't be adjusted but the reading is close, then I suggest you don't worry about it; just remember that your hygrometer is X% off - either high or low.

If the reading is grossly in error and you are unable to adjust it, I suggest you replace it.

And finally, let me say that hygrometers are not really necessary. You will find, over time, that you be able to judge the relative humidity within your humidor by simply touching and smoking your cigars.

A humidor is NOT essential to cigar storage. In fact, there are many inexpensive and effective methods for maintaining and aging your cigars. Three of the most popular are "Tupperdors", "Igloodors", and "Fridgadors."

A "Tupperdor" is nothing more than a plastic, resealable food container. You can use Tupperware or any other similar product. These are inexpensive and very effective. Simply add a humidifier and you are all set. Many people place those cedar separator sheets that come from boxes of cigars on the bottom of their "Tupperdors" to introduce the element of Spanish cedar. Remember to store your "Tupperdors" in a cool, dark place.

An "Igloodor" is simply a large ice cooler like those made by the Igloo or Coleman companies. They come in a wide variety of sizes with the most common being a 48 qt. model (but I know many people that utilize the giant 128 qt. Models). This is an ideal way to store full boxes of cigars very inexpensively. Some people line the interior by attaching Spanish cedar with a non-toxic, scent-free adhesive, and others even create dividers. You can make a large humidifier, but one of the easiest solutions it to place a trimmed brick of oasis foam in the small plastic tray that many coolers have. "Igloodors" are also commonly referred to as "Coolerdors."

A "Fridgeador" is the ultimate in alternative cigar storage. Basically you utilized an unplugged refrigerator or freezer to store large quantities of cigars. A standup freezer is ideal with its well-spaced, ample shelves as it allows for easy organization of your cigar collection.

There are only two minor drawbacks to using these for long-term cigar storage:

I wholeheartedly subscribe to the theory that aging has a critical impact on a cigar's body and flavor. Initial aging after their rolling is essential to allow the cigar to dry and stabilize. Not only will this greatly improve the flavor, but also greatly improve the burn and draw. Stabilization takes only 6 to 8 weeks, however allowing your cigars to age even longer will let the flavors of the blend meld and mellow into a more harmonious smoke. A cigar's complexities and nuances will be greatly enhanced with long-term aging in a proper environment.

On the other hand, I am also a firm believer that cigars do not perpetually age for the better. Every cigar eventually hits its peak, and from there on it is downhill. So it is just as important not to overage your cigars, as it is to age them in the first place.

The younger the cigar, the more drastic the impact time has upon it; 3 months can mean a world of difference to a freshly rolled cigar, whereas 3 months are negligible when dealing with 5-year-old cigars.

Over time, your cigars will shrink slightly and you will be able to move their rings up and down their length uninhibited by friction. This is a classic telltale sign of a well-aged cigar, and one that will most likely be an optimum smoke. Not only will it burn and draw better, it will taste smoother and share its nuance with your palate.

Another telltale sign of aged cigars is plume (also called bloom). This is a light, whitish-gray powder that caused by the cigar's essential oils drying on its surface. It is considered a very good sign that the proper aging is taking place. Not all cigars develop plume, but those that are heavy in oils generally do over time. Cigars exhibiting plume are typically exceptional in flavor. Well-aged cigars are a cherished commodity among most cigar connoisseurs and a luxury that, sadly, most smokers never realize. For a more in depth discussion of aging I suggest you read our JRCU article on Cigar Aging.

Q: How long can I store cigars in a Ziploc-style bag?

A: It depends entirely on your ambient climate because every time you open the baggie the air within will be exchanged. In some climates, cigars can be kept in Ziploc-type bags for literally a few months with no problems, while in very dry climates a week may be the serviceable limit of plastic bags.

Q: I left the lid of my humidor open for 8 hours and now it is 63% relative humidity and I am worried about destroying my cigars! What do I do?

A: Don't worry about it. 63% is no big deal and for 8 hours it is absolutely nothing. In fact, some folks like their cigars at 63% RH all the time. Your humidor will slowly return to a higher RH and if, after a few days, it doesn't then add some water to your humidifier.

I know many books, magazines, humidor makers, humidifier companies, and a bunch of others have given you the impression that you must be at 70/70 or your cigars will be ruined in short order, but I swear on my soul this is UNTRUE.

Cigars are far more durable than the 70/70 zealots contend and can easily endure some time at a lower humidity. In fact, many tobacconists overseas utilize 60-64% RH as their ideal RH for long-term storage. Personally, I like 65%-67% myself for smoking, and have smoked tons of cigars kept at 60% RH with no problems whatsoever.

Some people would totally flip out, but I leave GREAT cigars just laying around all the time. I own a dozen plus humidors and only two of them even have hygrometers in them. I just use my fingers to judge them.
It really isn't as critical as some folks make it seem. And your scenario is a total non-issue. So just close the lid and give your humidor a couple of days to come up to the humidity you desire.

Too many new cigar smokers get way too uptight over this humidity issue and it really is the fault of the so-called "experts" constantly parroting this 70/70 stuff. If you ask anyone that has been storing and smoking cigars for years, they would tell you to relax. The bottom line is to not get overly upset about slight deviations in relatively humidity. With time, you will learn what you like - some people prefer their smokes moister while others like them drier.

Q: How do I keep a humidor with a passive humidifier at a lower RH?

A: Basically you add less water less frequently. The PG in the humidifier can only expel the moisture it contains, so if you give it less water to work with your humidor will be drier. Typically, I never add distilled water until I get to about 64% RH or so, and then I just add small amounts. It varies with the season, the humidor, and how often I open it. Over time, you will learn how much water your humidor needs and at roughly what interval.

Q: How long can I store cigars?

A: Indefinitely. Under proper conditions, cigars can remain "smokeable" for decades - even a century. However, it is important to understand the difference between "smokeable" versus enjoyable. Over time, all cigars will lose their essential oils and body and eventually will become flavorless. How long this takes depends entirely on the cigars themselves, and varies greatly. I suggest you refer to our Cigar Aging article for further information.

Q: Can I store my cigars in my refrigerator?

A: No, as they will dry out quickly. This used to be common and sound advice, but it no longer holds true because almost all of today's refrigerators actually dehydrate their interiors to prevent condensation from forming on their exteriors. However, an old refrigerator or freezer that you leave unplugged can make an excellent large alternative storage device for cigars.

Q: What do you think of cigar jars?

A: They stink. Cigars tend to get chipped and split at the foot as a result of being stored on end. Also, jars can be difficult to select and pull a certain cigar from. The only benefit is that a jar full of premium cigars looks great sitting on your desk. However, that means the jar must be transparent and long-term light exposure is bad for cigars.

Q: Should I leave the cellophane on or take it off?

A: Leaving the cellophane on protects the cigars from tattering and splitting while you handle them. Also, cellophaned cigars are easier to take "on the road" or send to friends.

Without the cellophane, cigars tend to breath better and, in turn, age better. Also, I find it much more appealing to open my humidor and see cigars in the nude.

Cellophane is permeable to water and air allowing their transfer through its surface, but not as easily as without the cellophane. So if I receive a batch of cigars that is freshly rolled, I sometimes remove the cello to allow the excess moisture incurred during the rolling process to dissipate. Cigars that become too moist in cellophane take a long time to dry out. So as a general rule, I leave the cellophane on cigars stored loose in my bulk storage units or in their original boxes, but take it off when I place them in my desktop humidors.

Either way is appropriate, and in the end it is really just a matter of personal choice.

Q: Do cigars age in tubes?

A: Yes and no. Cigars seem to age some in the tubes, but mostly I think this is due to most tubes not having a true seal. In an absolutely sealed environment it is impossible for a cigar to have the necessary oxygen required for it to breath and age properly. You will note that on many tubes it mentions that a cigar will "remain fresh until opened" and, personally, I do not consider this an ultimately desirable goal. Tubes are great for protecting cigars for a few weeks - even months- outside of a humidor if they have a good seal. But if tubed cigars are to be kept longer and you wish to ensure that they age properly, I recommend you remove the end caps and place them in your humidor. With all of that said, I have smoked many tubos whose seals were intact for years and the cigars were quite tasty. But no matter what you do, always store tubed cigars in a humidor if you are going to have them for any substantial length of time, because most tube seals are not air-tight.

Q: Can I leave the cigars in the boxes as they age?

A: Absolutely. In fact, most collectors do. However, if the box is sealed with a plastic wrap you should remove this prior to placing the box in your cabinet, humidor, or Igloodor.

Q: Will my cigars "marry" if they are sitting side by side in my humidor without dividers or cellophane?

A: No. I understand the concept of marrying, and have witnessed claro cigars that have been slightly stained with oils from a dark, rich EMS cigar that was sitting beside it, but that was only after MANY years. Honestly, I do not consider the marrying of different cigars to be a problem for those who smoke from their humidors on a semi-regular basis.

I have been storing singles side by side for well over a decade with no impact whatsoever. Personally, I find the concept of marrying flavors between differing cigars to be an issue that "cigar wonks" banter about, but has little basis in reality and does not warrant any concern on your part. You have to keep in mind, when you read all the recent advice printed about cigars, that quite a bit of it is far too reaching and overtly scientific without cause.

I have kept a wide variety of smokes crammed together for long periods (5+ years) in my "smoke from someday" humidors without this ever occurring. My only concern would be to always keep flavored (i.e.. rum soaked, Acid, etc.) separate. Also, for long-term aging in quantity, I believe in leaving the cigars in their original boxes if possible.

Bottom line: the concept of cigar flavors marrying/blending is over hyped.

Q: Should I rotate the cigars in my humidor?

A: No. This is another bit of silly advice that is often recommended by the anal-retentive. The difference between the relative humidity from the bottom to the top of your humidor is insignificant and is certainly nothing to worry about. Some "experts" have even suggested that by not rotating your cigars that "all the oils will settle to the bottom side." This is an incredibly lame statement. The essential oils in a cigar will always seep in the direction of a drier surface. In a stable environment, this is almost always towards the top, which is the side exposed to air. You will see these oils crystallize becoming plume (bloom) over the years. It is possible for the cedar floor of your humidor to wick some oil to the bottom, but it happens so seldom and without any negative impact, it is not even worthy of consideration. Eventually all excess oils will dissipate without a trace, except for possibly bloom.

The only legit reason to rotate stock within your humidor is that you want your cigars to be more convenient for you to smoke. Less often smoked ones on the bottom, and the ones you are grabbing all the time on the top.

Q: Why does my humidor smell like ammonia when I open it?

A: Cigars typically expel ammonia as they age. Sometimes it is the result of them actually containing under-cured tobacco, but most commonly in premium cigars, it is a very slight odor denoting their youth and that they require additional aging.

Q: Is it okay for me to clip my cigars before putting them in the humidor?

A: Actually, there is a downside to pre-clipping, as it is the intact head that "cements" the wrapper in place. Whenever you pre-clip a cigar, you are increasing the likelihood that it may unravel. The less stable your humidor, the more likely this will occur.

Now with that said, I have kept pre-clipped cigars for years with no problem, while I have had others unroll themselves in days. Also, pre-punching has less of an impact, but again there is no real benefit.

There is only one time I ever pre-clip cigars is when I am hosting a very large party of neophyte cigar smokers. A good cut is essential to receive the maximum enjoyment from a cigar so I sometimes prepare all the cigars for smoking in advance.

My advice is that you just avoid the potential unraveling problem and not make a habit of pre-clipping your smokes.

Q: I have noticed the feet of my cigars are swelling and splitting. Why?

A: This is a classic sign of cigars that are being over humidified.

Q: My cigars have something on them. How can I tell if it is mold or bloom?

A: Bloom, also called plume, is a grey-white residual powder that is left from the cigar's essential oils drying on its surface, and is considered a very good sign that the proper aging is taking place. Not all cigars develop bloom, but those that are heavy in oils almost always do over time.

Mold always has some body to it; it is actually a three dimensional "fuzz." Typically, it grows rather quickly once it occurs. Also, it is commonly green, green/blue, or green/yellow in color.

Typically, bloom will cover all the air-exposed sides of a cigar beginning in spots but eventually evenly, whereas mold will typically begin growing on just one part and spread from there.

If you still can't tell the difference, I suggest you quarantine the potential problem cigars to their own "Tupperdor" for a couple of weeks, after which you should be able to tell. If it is mold, you will be able to see the three-dimensional fuzz structure by now.

Q: Okay, it is mold... now what?

A: You can just brush the mold off and smoke them anyway. I have smoked a bunch of vintage cigars that have had some mold on them. It takes considerable mold and time to impact the flavor of the cigar - the biggest factor being whether they have molded on the interior. If so, they are goners. If not, you can just gently brush the mold off with a soft dry cloth or your fingers. However, you should quarantine them from your other cigars to prevent it from spreading to them.

Q: I have noticed that some of my cigars have wrinkles in the wrappers. What causes this?

A: "Wrinkly wrappers" are typically caused by cigars that have experienced cycles of being over-humidified and then under-humidified. By the way, this is commonly called "crinkle" by many cigar collectors. It is the end result of the cigar's wrapper being stretched by the filler expanding when moist and the subsequent shrinkage when it dries. Basically, they are just like "stretch marks."

These are very common in vintage cigars even if kept within ideal conditions. Over time, the continuous shifting of a couple of points of % RH will result in crinkling. Also, this is not that uncommon in Igloodors because the humidity tends to shoot up and down drastically with opening and closing. Unlike a wooden humidor, a cooler's plastic is unable to retain an ambient RH. The longer a cigar has been stored, the more likely wrinkles are to occur. Other than damaging the aesthetics, it typically does not impact the smoke. However, the wrappers will become more brittle as the wrinkling continues and may eventually lead to cracking and splitting.

Q: Can I revive dried out cigars?

A: Sometimes. It depends on whether they have lost all of the essential oils. The best way to revive dried out cigars is to slowly bring them up to the desired humidity within a dry humidor. Basically, you allow the humidor and the cigars to reach the desired humidity simultaneously. If the cigars retained their oils, they will still be worthwhile to smoke. However, if they have been dry for too long then they will have lost most, if not all, of their desirable flavors.

Q: Can I store my cigars at a cooler temperature than 50 degrees?

A: Certainly. Although it will slow down the process of their aging, it will do no harm to store them at cooler temperatures.

Q: What about higher temperatures?

A: You should never store your cigars above 75 degrees if you can help it. Doing so increases the risk of hatching the dreaded tobacco beetle, which will infest and destroy all of the cigars contained within your humidor if left unabated.

Q: Which is worse: low humidity or high humidity?

A: High humidity is of greater concern than low for a few reasons:

So personally, I would be more concerned with high humidity than low humidity. However, it is still nothing to get overly concerned about. I wouldn't sweat below 73% RH as your humidifier should bring it down in time. If it doesn't or your RH is higher, I suggest you just leave the lid of your humidor open for a few hours to help dry out the interior.

Q: Even with the lid open the relative humidity is still too high. Now what?

A: Obviously you live in region where the ambient relative humidity is greater than 70%. In your case you may need to change your humidifier's charge to 75% PG and very little distilled water. This almost-water-free combo will help to draw high humidity down. This solution is only needed for those who live in the most humid regions and are not running air conditioning. Check your ambient RH with your hygrometer before applying this advice.

Q: Can I convert my end table into a humidor?

A: Maybe, but not likely. Most furniture does not provide the quality seal that is required to maintain a stable relative humidity. Also, furniture is simply not designed to endure the continual stress that a humidor commonly endures from having such a drastically different RH on its interior as compared to its exterior surface. Most furniture will eventually warp and, in some cases, split under the pressure.

The first thing to do is relax. I know I have said this a zillion times already, but I cannot emphasize it enough. Most new smokers have heard the mantra of 70/70 so often and so loudly that they are simply wound too tight. Consider this your deprogramming from the 70/70 zealots' evil ways.

Patience is the key. Do not expect anything to happen within a few hours. This is difficult for some to accept, but you just have to. Overreacting is the number one problem. Most humidors and humidifiers will function as desired if afforded the time they need to do the job.

If your relative humidity is too low:

Still too low? Then:

If your relative humidity is too high:

Still too high? Then:

Still too high yet? Then:

I hope you have found my common sense approach to cigar storage informative. Most of the content is based upon my personal experiences and the insights of fellow cigar smokers who have been smoking and aging cigars for decades. It was my intent to write something very detailed, yet straightforward to not only help the new cigar smoker, but to also serve as a reference for all. And most importantly, I wanted to dispel many of the "Cigar Storage Myths" that some continue to espouse online and in print.

If there is any one thought that I hope you take from this storage primer, it is this: Be patient, worry less, and always, enjoy your cigars.