Expert: James Yee - 5/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I am having a hard time raisig my humidity level indise my humidor from 66%. Ihave about 150 cigars in there (some are a little dry).
How can I raise the level? Put a shot glass of distilled water inside?
I have properly seasoned and used PG in the humidifier.

I also have kept this message private for a reason.. I would like to buy some cubans online (save on taxes, you know the deal lol)
Any website you can recommend?
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Tommy,

The first step is to make sure that your hygrometer is properly calibrated and accurate.  Sometimes the hygrometer can lose sync over time or isn't properly calibrated so the humidity reading will be off.

If your hygrometer is accurate, the best method to increase your humidity is to add a second humidification device to your humidor.  Humidification devices like the basic, traditional kind (green aquafoam core and plastic housing) are fairly cheap and work nicely.  You can find them for about $2-$15 at most cigar shops/tobacconists.

There are also electronically-controlled units that you can upgrade to.  If you have a large humidor, you can also consider a commercial unit that controls both the temperature and the humidity.

As an alternative, you can also add a humidi-pak or gel or crystal-based humidification device and these work well also.  These are normally used for cigar travel and/or makeshift cigar storage but they are also perfect for increasing humidity in a desktop humidor.  Again, these are extremely inexpensive and can usually be found at your local cigar shop for less than $5 each.

Putting a dish of distilled water inside your humidor isn't recommended.  This is actually an old method no longer practiced because an open source of water can cause tobacco mites (not to be confused with tobacco beetles) to thrive in the water.  Tobacco mites are harmless but the sight of tobacco mites feeding in the water is pretty unattractive.  There's also the possibility of spilling the dish of water all over your cigars.

As for ordering cigars, I recently decided to filter out all questions regarding online mailorder sources.  Honestly, I would love to help but a questionable mailorder company – who will remain nameless – is now complaining about the way they’re being viewed on this site and has threatened to take action so unfortunately, I have to stop all discussions – even private ones – about mailorder sources.

What I can suggest however, is if you travel (or knows someone who frequently travels), visit a Habanos SA-approved cigar store and buy cigars in person.  La Casa del Habanos (LCDH) for example, is a Habanos SA-approved retailer.  There are LCDH shops all over the world (except the United States) and all of them carry genuine Cuban cigars.  If you or someone you know is planning a vacation or business trip, perhaps you can buy some cigars there.

Buying cigars in person is so much better because there is so much more buyer's protection.  You have the ability to inspect the cigars before you buy, find good deals, speak with helpful staff (in person), select a batch of cigars that you like and confidently know that your cigars are genuine.  With mailorder, you can't inspect the cigars beforehand, have no control over the cigars during shipping (which could end up damaged), endure (long) wait times while your cigars are in transit and may be ordering from a questionable company.

Also, with mailorder, there's always the possibility of having your cigars intercepted by Customs (if you live in the United States) or be hit with heavy tobacco taxes and excise charges depending on where you live.

Considering all these factors, buying in person is less problematic and so much better.

Hopes this answers your questions. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Im actually in the Toronto area and frequent the smokin cigar shop so i will definately get there tmrw and get some stock. All the best and thanks alot!!

Answer
Hi Tommy,

LCDH Toronto is a great shop (so is Thomas Hinds which is not far from LCDH).  

Just another quick note, if you must order online, make sure you thoroughly research whatever company/website you're thinking about ordering from before you commit to a purchase.  Look for unbiased reviews and comments about the website (Google is a good starting point) as well as feedback from Internet cigar forums/message boards.  Even word-of-mouth from experienced customers at cigar shops can prove to be valuable information.  Avoid impulse puchases before you do your research.  Fraudulant companies/websites will say whatever it takes to get you to give them their money so buyer beware.  When shopping online, don't always look at price first because fraudulant companies will entice people with too good to be true prices and even throw in bonuses such as free shipping or free cigars.

If you still have concerns about a certain company, you can also contact Habanos SA or the regional Habanos SA-appointed distributor (in Canada, it's "Havana House" which is located in Toronto.) for input.  All official distributor information can be found at Habanos SA's website (www.habanos.com).  If the questionable company is fraudulant, chances are good that people have already inquired about (or reported) them with the local distributor or the distributor may have already investigated the questionable product and/or website firsthand and can attest to their authenticity (or lack of).

Most importantly, remember the old saying "if a deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is."

Regards,
James