When the Cuban embargo took effect, cigar lovers stashed their favorite cigars in the hope that their beloved cigars would last for many years. However, some people questioned whether those cigars would retain their flavor for long periods of time. While cigars have a reputation for being fragile, they can be stored for long periods of time if kept at a specific temperature and humidity level and are protected from pests such as insects.
(Freeimages / Peter Holst)
The best way to keep your cigars fresh is to use a humidor, which is an airtight container that helps keep cigars moist. While temperatures outside fluctuate and change, a humidor helps keep your cigars at a constant temperature and humidity level, therefore, keeping them fresh.
The lifespan of your cigars will be dependent on how you set up the humidor. It is essential to season your humidor, calibrate the hygrometer, and correctly set the humidity levels. If done correctly, your cigars could last up to five years. If done incorrectly, you run the risk of causing your cigars to deteriorate before you can use them.
When putting your cigars in the humidor, be sure to separate them based on brand. If they aren’t separated, the flavors of your cigars could get mixed and contaminated. If you want your cigars to keep their true flavors and scents, put dividers in your humidor to prevent them from taking on the characteristics of neighboring cigars.
After you configure your humidor and divide your cigars, you can leave your cigars in the humidor until you want to smoke them. To keep your cigars in the best condition, be sure to calibrate your hygrometer every few months. Additionally, if your humidor doesn’t have a ventilation system, aerate your humidor every couple weeks for a few minutes.
If you don’t have a humidor and you want to keep your cigars fresh, you can make a temporary humidor with any airtight plastic container, just add a slightly damp paper towel to act as a humidifier if you can’t find a humidity pack. However, make sure your cigars aren’t directly touching the paper towel. This method should only be used if you have a small number of cigars you are planning to smoke soon. If you plan on amassing a vast collection of cigars, it would be better to invest in a more high-tech solution.
Taking good care of your cigars through using a humidor will protect your cigar collection and help keep it fresh for years to come.
