How to Keep Your Cigars in Perfect Condition

Store Cigars Properly to Keep Them in Perfect Condition

• 1

  Choose a well made humidor lined with unfinished Spanish cedar. It should provide twice the capacity of what you'll store.

• 2

  Test for air-tightness by letting the lid fall closed. You should hear a 'whoosh.'

Season Your Humidor for a Perfect Cigar

• 3

  Wipe all interior wood surfaces with a clean sponge soaked in distilled water before using a new humidor.

• 4

  Place a shallow dish of distilled water at the bottom of the humidor.

• 5

  Fill or 'charge' the humidifier with distilled water. Place it inside the humidor and close the lid for 24 hours.

• 6

  Open the lid and refill the humidifier, if necessary.

• 7

  Close the lid for another 24 hours.

• 8

  Remove the water dish, and add your cigars.

Keep Your Cigars in Perfect Condition

• 9

  Place your seasoned humidor in a dry place away from windows, extreme heat or air conditioning. Very dry climates may require two humidifiers per humidor.

• 10

  Maintain a consistent 'tropical' environment in your humidor at 70 degrees F and 70 percent humidity. This is known as the '70/70 rule.'

• 11

  Keep the humidifier filled with distilled water. Check the water level every day for a few weeks after seasoning, then once every two weeks or so.

• 12

  Test cigars by pinching them. They should be flexible, but never dry or soggy. Check your cigars every day for the first few weeks, then once every couple of weeks after that.

• 13

  Open the humidor twice a week for 15 minutes at a time to allow air to circulate. Rotate the cigars on the bottom rack to the top rack.