Cigars/fresh
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Question
hi i just bought a cigar shop and was wondering if you can give me some advice on keeping up with my humidor and how to make sure that my cigars are as fresh as they can be thank you
Hi Mike,
The most important task to operating a cigar shop is to make sure the thermostat and humidification system is working properly. Cigars require an ideal environment of 70% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit so if your shop has a walk-in humidor, make sure that your walk-in humidor's humidifier and thermostat are calibrated and accurate. If your store has humidor cabinets, make sure the humidification system(s) are working properly. When refilling your humidifier with water, be sure to only use distilled water.
The humidity should be approximately 70% but it's fine if the humidity is between 67-74%. Anything greater than 74% can cause mold to form and anything less than 67% can cause your cigars to be dry. To ensure that tobacco beetle eggs - potentially hidden inside cigars - do not hatch, do not let the humidor temperature exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aside from this, a periodic cleaning (vacuuming & dusting) of your humidor and maintenance check on your humidifier and thermostat should be fine.
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
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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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