Expert: James Yee - 2/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi James I have a 150 count desktop humidor with a lift out lid, my question is when I smoke the cigars from the top shelf of the humidor they are about perfect.  But when I smoke the ones on the bottom of the humidor, they have a tendancy to go out in the middle to the end of the cigar.  I keep my humidor at about 72 temp, 68 humidity. I also have a 4oz humicare jar on the top shelf(the box is not deep enough to put one at the bottom)should I try rotating the cigars every so often or what do you think I should do?

ANSWER: Hi Denny,

Yes, you should definitely rotate your cigars at least once a month.  This will allow all your cigars to have an even exposure to humidity and all the cigars should burn more consistently and evenly.  You should also try to arrange all your cigars so that air and humidity flow can circulate through the humidor more easily.  Avoid stacking your cigars too tightly or obstructing the humidification device with cigars or humidor fixtures as this can localize the humidity is some areas in your humidor and cause some cigars to receive more or less humidity than others.

Your humidity and temperature levels appear fine so all you really need to do is rotate your cigars frequently.  What you can also do is purchase or build an aeration panel and this is basically a thin Spanish cedar board that you place at the base of your humidor and it keeps all your cigars elevated.  To improve aeration, this board must have many drilled holes (or slat cutouts) so humidity and air can circulate through the base of humidor more easily.

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

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey James where is the best place to buy a piece of spanish cedar for a humidor?  Should I somehow season it before I put it into my humidor or just put it in.  And also I don't know to much about cuban cigars but would like to learn a little more like were to purchase and which ones you recomend for a first timers.

    Thanks for your time I'll leave you alone now

         Denny

Answer
Hi Denny,

You can buy Spanish cedar at most home renovation/hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowes.  You can also buy cedar from lumberyards as Spanish cedar is commonly used for home construction.  (ie: Cedar is common in lining closets and outdoor building projects.)  If you prefer to buy a pre-made aeration panel, many cigar stores will sell them.  One brand called "The Aerator" is made by Cigar Savor and is actually adjustable to fit most humidors.

As for Cuban cigars, the best brands for first timers should be mild to medium-bodied.  Try Romeo y Julieta, Vegas Robaina, El Rey du Mundo, Saint Luis Rey, Jose Piedra, Guantanamera and H. Upmann.  These are excellent Cuban cigar brands for first timers.  I actually don't discuss or endorse buying Cuban cigars over the Internet so if you prefer to buy over the Internet, you will need to use google or visit cigar forums and message boards for mailorder sources.  There are a lot of fraudulent retailers on the Internet so be sure to thoroughly research the retailers you are interested in buying from.  Use google and search for reviews on the website(s).

Buying Cuban cigars in person is much better as there is more buyer's protection so if don't live in the United States, you should buy Cuban cigars at an authorized Habanos retailer such as a La Casa del Habanos (LCDH).  There are LCDH stores all over the world except for the United States.  By buying Cuban cigars in person, you have the ability to examine the cigars before you buy.  A lot of retailers on the Internet sell counterfeit cigars and/or cigars of poor quality so when buying through the Internet, you risk receiving fake cigars or poor quality cigars with little or no chance of getting your money back.  There are some reputable retailers on the Internet so be sure to research the websites thoroughly for them.

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

Regards,
James