Expert: James Yee - 1/24/2009

Question
Hi James,

Last question then im off to Cuba!

I recently purchased a cabinet style humidor. When I purchased this I was lied to in the store. They told me that it was spanish cedar lined only to find out that it was mahogany cedar interior.
What I did today is I bought spanish cedar and lined the whole back of the humidor interior wall. I also covered the shelves and put the remaining pieces on the ceiling. The only part of the humidor that is not covered is the side walls (Will do sometime when I return from Cuba).
My question is, will the smell of the spanish cedar overwhelm the mahogany? Will the mahogany cedar affect the taste or the aging process of my smokes? Should I be anxious about this mahogany cedar interior?
In Cuba I plan to bring back at least 100 so I want to make sure that they will not be ruined because of the mahogany cedar behind the spanish cedar.
All the best James and thanks again!

Answer
Hi Thomas,

Mahogany is actually the second best choice for a wood in a humidor.  If a humidor builder can't find Spanish cedar, Mahogany is the next best thing.  Mahogany is more faint in aroma (compared to Spanish cedar) but in terms of absorbing and regulating humidity, it's almost as effective as Spanish cedar.  

Spanish cedar's aroma will overwhelm the mahogany but mahogany won't affect the taste of your cigars so you shouldn't worry about having it in your humidor.  In terms of aging cigars on a long-term basis, mahogany is less effective than Spanish cedar so it's better to line your cabinet humidor with Spanish cedar if you plan on aging a lot of cigars.  (Many premium humidors do combine Spanish cedar and mahogany in the interior so don't worry, mahogany won't affect your cigars negatively.  In terms of aging cigars, mahogany is very neutral.)

Of the three major woods commonly used in humidor interiors (Spanish cedar, Honduran Mahogany and American Red cedar), Spanish cedar is the best choice, Mahogany is second best and American Red cedar is the worst because it's aroma is too pungent for your cigars.

Hopes this answers your question.  Enjoy your trip to Cuba!

Regards,
James