Cigars/building a humidor out of hardwood
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Question
I live in Thailand and want to start making humidors here for sale in the U.S. and Canada. I have noticed that a majority of humidors are made with Spanish Cedar or other Cedars. Is it feasible to use some of the local hardwoods, which have beautiful finishes, to make humidors? Or are there any issues that might arise from using these more dense woods?
Hi Nils,
The exterior wood for a humidor can be any type of hardwood but for the humidor interior, it is ideal to use only natural Spanish cedar. Spanish cedar will properly absorb and regulate humidity inside your humidor. The natural oils in Spanish cedar will also deter bug infestations and prevent rotting. Also, the subtle Spanish cedar scent will compliment the natural scent of the cigars stored inside the humidor. Other types of cedar wood can be extremely aromatic and the smell can actually fuse into the cigars and permanently ruin the way they smell and taste. Only use Spanish cedar.
Basically a humidor is a nice hardwood box with a Spanish cedar lining inside it. Interior components such as shelves, trays, dividers and drawers should also be made from Spanish cedar but it is not necessary if the interior walls of the humidor are lined with Spanish cedar.
Hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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| Comment | WOW! Thanks for the details. You were really helpful and I appreciate immensely the quick turnaround. This will help me in my pursuit of building humidors. | ||
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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