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Cigars/Spanish Cedar

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Expert: - 4/15/2009


Question
Hi James,

Hope all is well.

I will be constructing a humidor for a friend and I was wondering if there are different grades or types of spanish cedar that I should be using. When I built my humidor, I bought my spanish cedar from a lumbar yard here in Toronto. In my opinion it is just regular spanish cedar.
What are your thoughts?

I will not be using american cedar, only spanish.

Thank you very much!!

Answer
Hi Thomas,

When building a humidor, be sure to use kiln-dried Spanish cedar as it is less likely to warp and bow.  Air-dried Spanish cedar can warp in a humidor which is why many humidor manufacturers prefer kiln-dried cedar.  (Kiln-dried cedar is best suited for indoor use such as humidors, furniture and closets while air-dried cedar is best suited for general, outdoor use.)

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have more questions, please feel 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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