AboutJames 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 15 dedicated years of cigar smoking (an average 4 cigars a day) 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.
Question Hi James, sorry to use up so much of your time but my cigars are very dear to me and I respect your good advice. I just purchased an aerator grate to place on the bottom of my humidor to get better circulation to bottom layer cigars. Do I need to season the grate or prepare it in any way before I place my cigars on top. I'm afraid that if I place cigars on the unprepared dry surface of aeration grate, it might dry out the bottom layer cigars. Thanks again James.
Answer Hi David,
Don't worry, feel free to ask as many questions as you need.
Whether or not you should season the aeration platform is entirely up to you. Some people find that the aeration grate works perfectly well without seasoning and other people finds that it works a little bit better after you season it. I've done both and in my opinion, the difference is negligible and your cigars are not at risk from drying out because of an unseasoned aeration grate.
If you prefer to season your aeration grate, a thorough spray of distilled water and one wipe down is enough.
Hopes this helps. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
