Cigars/Negitive Humidity and Cigar storage
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Question
Hi First off I love your site! I just started smoking Cigars and your sites a treasure trove of info!
My question is this: I'm in Iraq with the 120 heat and just about 0 humidity. I just bought a 100 cigar humidor combo that comes with 75 cigars to try. I know your supposed to use distilled water for your humidifier but all we have access to is bottled water (courtesy of the US army Bottled locally). Will this kill my cigars in the long run or will I be able to get off with just replacing the humidifier when I get home?
Thanks
Spc Parker
Hi Thomas,
If there is no access to distilled water, bottled water is acceptable. (Boiled tap water that's cooled back down to room temperature will also work.) Bottled drinking water however, may contain minerals such as calcium, sodium and fluoride and over time, these particles may build up and clog your humidification device. This won't hurt your cigars but as you mentioned, you may have to replace the humidification device sooner than expected because the porous element may eventually become clogged or dirty.
Again, it's preferred that you use distilled water but if you have no access to it, bottled or boiled water is the next best thing.
I hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help. Enjoy your cigars and stay safe while in Iraq.
Regards,
James
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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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