Expert: M J Robbins - 4/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: Several years ago I turned off my A/C (in the summer in Houston) when we went on vacation.  When we returned, one of my humidor's cigars had a gray/blue "mold" on them.  Asked a question then about this, which was to carefully brush off the mold, which I did.  Next advice - I recall - was to wipe the humidor down with alcohol, which I haven't yet done, since I parked my (cleaned) cigars in Ziplocks.

Question:  Should I wipe down the humidor with alcohol, now that I'm ready to move the cigars back into the humidor?  What else should I do, beyond making sure the humidity doesn't exceed 72%?

ANSWER: Just one cigar you are lucky and I would not have wiped down the box for one cigar.
That is overkill but it couldn't hurt.
If you see a cigar with mold wipe it with a tiny bit of Alcohol leave it out for the alcohol to evaporate, perhaps one hour, then smoke it, do not put it back.
No need to wipe the box down with alcohol.

Just set it up with humidification and put in 2 - 72% Boveda devices to keep humidity stable and reduce the chance of mold and continue.
Keep the house cool if you have a great value in your cigars.
Boveda devices inhibit the growth of mold. I put one humidor in the garage during the summer with Boveda devices and NO mold grew even at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 months.
And if you see a cigar with mold just pull it out wipe it off if there is just a little spot and smoke it. Lots of spots wipe with a little bit of alcohol then smoke an hour later.

Enjoy
Mike



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually, it was most of the cigars in one of my humidors, around 60 or so Cubans.  Since I obviously wouldn't be able to (or want to) smoke them all right away, thus the question about alcohol-wiping down the humidor before putting the cigars back in.  I think the problem occurred because I had the humidity borderline high at the time anyway as I don't like dry cigars, and when I set the A/C way high (90 degrees) while on vacation, the high Gulf coast summer humidity (which easily approaches 100% in the summer) added to the borderline high humidity in the humidor.

Even though I carefully wiped down (but not with alcohol) the cigars with mold so that it isn't visible, and in the several years since that I've had them in ziplocks the mold hasn't re-occurred, their humidity in those ziplocks has only been 50-60%.  I'm concerned that if I put them back in the humidor at higher humidity - say, 72% - the mold will re-"sprout".  Therefore, as a precaution, do you think I should wipe each cigar down with alcohol, then letting them air-dry for several hours before putting them back in the humidor?

Answer
So
Yes humidty in the gulf states is not good.
Air conditioning dries the air and will keep it a more stable humidity in the house.
You might not need any humidity device in the humidor as people near the beech here do not need them.

Wiping down the cigars could not hurt and leave them out for 2 hours to dry.
Yes wipe down the box and let it air out for a few days as it could only help.
Put 2 - 69% Boveda right on top of the cigars to help keep them stable and reduce the chance of mold recurring.
You can keep the Boveda devices in the bag with the cigars to bring up humidity also.

You can't keep cigars in plastic bags for years.
I would not smoke them if you gave them to me (sorry).
Pour a good bottle of wine in a plastic jug and leave it for 3 years then drink it - kind of the same thing.
Buy what you will use in a year or less to be sure. To buy more means a greater commitment plus expenditure of time and money.
Keep the air at least perhaps 78 degrees even when you leave if possible.

Put in 4 Boveda 69% on 2 top and 2 layered in between for 60 cigars.
In a few months have a party and give everyone these cigars, clearing out the humidor.

Start over by buying 1 box of good cigars.
Cuba
Try Ramon Allones Specially Selected $250
Sancho Panza Belicoso $250
Nicaragua
Padron 6000 Maduro $200
Padron Anniversary Exclusivo Maduro $300 best in the world
Now
Put the whole box - in the box - in your humidor with 4 boveda 2 on top of the box 2 laying in the humidor.
When there is room put the Boveda in the box with the cigars.
When the Boveda device is dry it is hard then replace it, that's all you have to do.



Enjoy
Mike