Expert: James Yee - 1/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I will be getting a couple of boxes of cigars and do not know where I will be storing them as my humidor is almost full. I'm still shopping around for humidors in Toronto but the prices are too much compared to the ones available in the US. For the time being, what can I do to store the cigars temporarily till I get my new humidor which I think I will be purchasing in the US next month or so.

Thanks,
Fred

ANSWER: Hi Fred,

The best option for short-term cigar storage is to keep your cigars in humi-pouches.  Humi-pouches are Ziploc-style bags with a humidified lining built right into the bag.  This allows the cigars to be properly humidified and the cigars will stay fresh for 3 months after the seal on the bag has been broken.  After 3 months, you will need to replace the bag.  Humi-pouches are available in a variety of sizes and can accomodate everything from a few single cigars to whole boxes.  They're available at any reputable cigar store/tobacconist and depending on the size, can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 per bag.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply James.  As follow-up to my question, if the cigars come in cellophanes which is usually the case with the Philippine cigar, Don Juan Urquijo, should I remove the cellophane before putting them in the humi-pouch?  

Thanks,
Fred

Answer
Hi Fred,

It's perfectly safe to keep your cigars in their original cellophane wrappers and cigar tubes while you store them in a humi-pouch and/or humidor.  Cigar tubes and plastic wrappers are not 100% airtight so you cigars will still be humidified.  (Some plastic wrappers are also perforated to help with the aeration process.)  The plastic wrappers and cigar tubes also serve as a barrier and provide a bit more protection against tobacco beetles and mold so you should definitely leave them on.  

If however, you feel your cigars are not getting enough humidity, simply untuck the loose ends of the wrappers and loosen the cigar tube caps and everything will be fine.

Regards,
James