Expert: James Yee - 4/28/2007

Question
Is there anything that can bring back the moisture level in a cigar once it has dried out I have several Montecristo's that have been brought from Cuba and I am afraid that they might be ruined they feel quite hard and crackle when rolled between the fingers I do not have a humidor and need something that can be done the average joe.
Yours
G.Keane

Answer
Hi Glen,

To restore your cigars, all you need to do is let them sit in your properly-maintained humidor (at 70% humidity, 70 degrees Fahrenheit) for as long as possible.  Depending on how dry the cigars are, it may take anywhere from 2 to 9 months before they can be smoked.  Avoid handling the cigars as much as possible because you don't want to damage the already-dry wrapper exterior.  Dry cigars with cracked wrappers may split even more - to the point of beyond repair - when rehydrated so it's important that you handle the dry cigars as delicately as possible.  Keep the dry cigars in your humidor but be sure to give each cigar a bit of space so that they can expand and the humidity can aerate the cigars more evenly.

If you do not own a humidor, what you can use is a brand new Tupperware container.  Simply line the interior with natural and untreated Spanish cedar (most tobacconist/cigar shops have cedar sheet scraps from cigar boxes for free or very little cost) and add a humidification device filled with distilled water.  You can buy spare humidor humidification devices at most cigar shops and they're relatively inexpensive.  Because Tupperware containers are almost airtight, be sure to periodically crack the lid so that air and humidity can vent properly.  (A good method when using Tupperware containers is to seal 3 of the 4 corners on the container and leave the 4th corner slightly loose.  This will allow the container to vent plus it won't compromise the humidification process.)  

Remember to rotate the cigars every two weeks so that they're evenly exposed to the humidity and before you know it, your cigars will be perfect again.

Hopes this answers your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James