Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 12/19/2007

Question
I just purchased four single cigars of different varieties off the internet. I'm
giving them as gifts and want to know if they will still be good when I give
them away since they are not in a humidor. Currently they are simply wrapped
in the plastic they each came in. Would it have been better for me to
purchase the cigars here at a local shop in order to assure freshness? I'm
worried now that the cigars will be stale when they are gifted.

Answer
Staci,
The cigars should be ok for about a week or so (including the time it took to ship them to you) out of humidified conditions. After that they will start to dry out a bit. Since you already have them, you have a couple of options. Ideally, go to you local tobacconist and ask for a disposable humidified zip lock bag. Most stores carry them - they are made for storage of a few cigars for up to 30 days. The bags run about $3. If they don't have the bags they might have disposable humidifiers which you would simply place in your own zip lock with the cigars. If you can't find either of these, do this: Put your cigars in a small zip lock, then take a second zip lock and place a moist (not dripping wet) piece of sponge in it. Punch a few holes in the bag with the sponge in it and then place both bags - the one with the cigars and the one with the sponge, inside a larger zip lock. This will keep the sponge from coming in direct contact with the cigars which could ruin them and will help keep them fresh.

If this isn't clear or you need any help please let me know.
Bill