Cigars/Reviving dry cigars
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Question
I have about 15 cigars that got dry because my humidifier broke. They sat in the dry humidor for almost 3 months and are very dry. Are they ruined, or can I revive them. I have read that you can revive them and they will be fine, and others say the oils in the cigar are released when dry and ruin the cigar. Most of them are naked but a few have cellophane on them. Whats your take on this?
Hi Jamie,
Dry cigars can indeed be restored but as other people have mentioned, the cigars may not taste the same after they've been restored. Once a cigar has been dried out, the oils in the tobacco will dissipate and this will create a milder taste. While a restored cigar won't taste bad, it just won't taste like it used to. The good news is if you restore your dry cigars and age them, the rejuvenated tobaccos inside the cigar will amalgamate and create a richer flavour again. (After 3 months, it's still possible that your cigars' aren't completely bland there's a good chance they'll taste like they used to.)
To restore your dry cigars, simply place them in your humidor and let them sit (at 70% humidity) for as long as possible before you smoke them. I would suggest they sit in your humidor for at least 4 months; rotating them 2-3 times a month. This will give them time to re-absorb the humidity and be fully rejuvenated. If you're not in a rush to smoke the cigars, letting them sit in your humidor even longer will be better.
Hope 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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