Expert: James Yee - 2/10/2009

Question
Hi,

I am looking to buy my first humidor. I would like to spend between £100 - £150. Is this a fair amount to hold about 30 to 50 cigars?

I am trying to figure out the best manufacturers of humidors but it is very hard to find any kind of reviews/rankings. I see Adorini a lot. Are these considered to be good?

Many thanks

Soli

Answer
Hi Soli,

£100 - £150 for a desktop humidor is very reasonable.  Adorini is a good brand but there are literally thousands of different humidor designs, styles and brands so my best suggestion is that you visit your local cigar store/tobacconist and see what types of humidors they have available in your comfortable price range.

When shopping for a humidor, an ideal humidor should have:

- Solid construction.  Examine the entire humidor and make sure that there are no gaps or cracks in the corner joints and seams.  The humidor's lid should be heavy and close firm seal.  Metal components such as hinges, locks and handles should be made from brass.
- Spanish cedar interior.  This will help absorb and regulate humidity more properly.  Humidors with laminate, glass or acrylic interiors are usually less effective at maintaining cigars.  The humidor's interior panels and trays should be made from Spanish cedar.  Do not buy a humidor that is made with American Red cedar as this cedar is too pungent for cigar storage.  
- A Hygrometer.  Most humidors include an analog hygrometer and this is perfectly fine.  Eventually, you may want to upgrade to a digital hygrometer because they are more accurate and requires little or no calibration.
- Humidifier.  Again, most humidors will include a passive "aquafoam core" humidifier.  For small desktop humidors, this is perfectly fine.  When you upgrade to a larger humidor (250 count or greater), you may want to consider using an electronic humidification device as they are designed for humidifying larger humidors.

These are the key points you should look for when buying a humidor.  Everything else such humidor design, size, style, brand and price is entirely up to you.  

A humidor is a major investment so when you buy your humidor, make sure that you're 100% comfortable with it.  Also, don't be afraid to ask the sales staff any questions that you may have when shopping for humidors.

Hopes this helps!  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James