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Cigars/humidor mold

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Expert: - 2/16/2011


Question
Hey James,
I was wondering about how much alcohol to use to get rid of the mold. I don't want to ruin my humidor. My cigars have no mold on them. I only found a few seed sized clumps, but definitely want to "nip it in the bud". It is only on 1 trey the 1 closest to the humidifier. The packers did not let it sit out long enough to dry before wrapping it up and packing it away to move. No cigars were harmed in this move lol. thanks james

Answer
Hi Devin,

You'll want to use just enough alcohol to "lightly moisten" the wood.  Don't saturate or soak the wood with alcohol; instead, just wet a cloth napkin or sponge with alcohol and gently dab and wipe the moldy area.  By using alcohol in small amounts, your humidor won't be at risk.

Once the area is cleaned, you can re-wipe that spot with distilled water to dilute any residue traces of alcohol.

I hope 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

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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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