Expert: James Yee - 8/14/2008

Question
Hi I recently found 2 boxes of unopened Cohiba Esplendidos in my dad's basement. I am assuming they were from his last trip to Cuba, at least 10 years ago. They are sealed in their wooden box, still in the duty-free bags. Are they still good? Do they need to be slowly re-humidified, or can I simply open them and put them in a humidor?

Answer
Hi Yann,

The first thing you will need to do is open both boxes and inspect them for mold or tobacco beetles.  If there is a little bit of mold, you can clean the cigars with isopropyl alcohol and distilled water but if the mold has covered much of the cigars and the foot of the cigars, you will have to throw them away.  If the cigar(s) also have tobacco beetles or tobacco beetle holes, the cigars cannot be saved and must be thrown away.  If there are some tobacco beetle-damaged cigars but many cigars appear fine and undamaged, you can save these by putting them in a freezer for two days to kill any beetle eggs.  Cigars with holes must also be thrown away.

Cigars that are moldy should be removed from the box and treated separately.  Relocate them to a plastic tupperware container or humi-pouch so that they can humidify separately. (In case mold reappears.)  They may also be extremely delicate so you must handle them with care.

If your cigars appear fine, you can restore them by putting them in a humidor.  They may be extremely dry and fragile after 10 years so it's best to put them in a humidor with 65-70% humidity for at least 6 months before smoking them.  Do not exceed 70% humidity because the humidity can cause dry cigars to rapidly expand and crack.  (It's also best to leave them in the cigar box while they re-hydrate.)

If your boxes cannot fit in your humidor, what you can also do is purchase a humi-pouch to store the boxes.  Humi-pouches are humidified plastic bags designed for short-term cigar storage, travel and rehydration.  They have a humidified lining built into the plastic and can keep your cigars properly humidified - with minimal supervision and maintenance - for 3 months.  After 3 months, you will need to replace the bag(s).  These humi-pouches are available at most cigar stores and depending on the size, can cost anywhere between $5 - $15 per bag.

Again, because these cigars have been dry for 10 years, it's best to gently inspect them for mold/tobacco, treat or discard ruined cigars, return them to the box and humidify for at least 6 months at 65-70% humidity before you attempt to smoke them.  When the cigars are firm enough to handle by hand, continue humidifying them at 70% humidity in a humidor or humi-pouch.

Hopes 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