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Cigars/Hpow long is a sealed box of Cubans ok

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Expert: - 3/16/2010


Question
I received a box of Montecristo No 2.  It is still sealed with all the valid stamps and holograms.  The date on the bottom of the box is SEP 08.
Will these still be 'ok'.
Should I open them immediately and place in a humidor.

Answer
Hi Jim,

It's best to put the cigars in your humidor immediately.  A box of properly humidified cigars can usually last about 1-2 weeks outside of a humidor before they become dry.  If this box of Montecristo #2s has been removed from a humidor for more than two weeks, they're already very dry and should be re-humidified before you smoke one.  Cuban cigar boxes are not 100% airtight so even if the box is still sealed, the moisture can still escape.

It's best to let dry cigars sit in a properly maintained humidor at 70% humidity for at least 4-6 weeks before you attempt to smoke one.  If you're not in a rush to smoke these cigars, the longer you leave them in your humidor, the better the cigars will be.

Hopes this helps.  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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