Expert: James Yee - 10/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I have recently comeback from Cuba with 200 cigars, incuding 75 Splendidosand 50 Montecristo Number 4s, as well as Partagas, Hoey de Monterrey and Romeo y Julieta.

My question is,I dont have a humidor, but would it be possible to maintain an environment of about 70% humidity in a normal (fairly airtight) cabinet?If so what would you suggest? FYI, the outdoor humidity in Cambridge England is fairly constant, at about 60-70ish (is it any different indoors?)

Since we are students, buying a humidor doesnt seem to be the most economic of solutions...

Also some of the Cohiba Splendidos have a lighter outer leaf than others, and when smoking these, the draw is slightly harder than the other Splendidos, and certainly harder than, say, the Montecristo. Is this normal?

cheers for your help

bst




ANSWER: Hi Akhil,

Storing cigars in a regular cabinet would not be the best option.  Even if the natural environment humidity is within 67-74% range (the safe range for humidor humidity), it’s very hard to accurately maintain the humidity at an ideal level in a regular cabinet.  The humidity can dip and peak wildly and put your cigars at risk.  Unless you’re an experienced woodworker or humidor builder, I would not recommend that you retrofit a regular cabinet for cigar storage as it can potentially damage your cigars.

For storage, what I suggest is that you store your cigars in either humi-pouches or plastic food containers (ie: Tupperware containers).  Humi-pouches are plastic Ziploc-style bags with humidified linings built in the plastic.  They’re designed for short-term cigar storage and can properly humidify your cigars for up to 3 months (90 days).  After 90 days, you would need to replace the bags.  Humi-pouches are available in a variety of sizes and can hold everything from a few single cigars to whole boxes.  Depending on the size, humi-pouches typically cost between $5-$15 per bag and you can find them at most cigar stores/tobacconists.  The best part about these bags is that they do not require any maintenance.

As an alternative, a popular storage method is to keep your cigars in one or more Tupperware containers that you could buy at a supermarket or grocery store.  (Those disposable lunch containers with sealable lids are perfect.)  Simply line the containers with natural Spanish cedar and place a humidification device inside.  For humidity, you can buy a small foam-based humidification unit (like the ones intended for small humidors) for less than $10 at any cigar store/tobacconist.  Also add a hygrometer (either digital or analog) to measure the humidity level.  As long as the humidity stays between 67-74% humidity, your cigars will be fine.

Also, tupperware containers (or “tupperdors” as most people prefer to call them) are almost airtight and the plastic makes a strong vapor barrier so it’s important that you vent the containers to prevent over-humidification.  Over-humidifying cigars can cause mold growth or split cigars from the excess exposure to humidity.  To vent a tupperdor, simply seal only 3 of the 4 corners of the lid and allow the 4th corner to rest loose but still in a closed position.  This will allow humidity to escape when needed and also allow your cigars to “breathe”.  For a round container, simply allow half the lid to rest in the closed position but still loose.  Make sure you use only brand new/sterilized containers.  Like a traditional humidor, a tupperdor will also require constant care as you need to check the humidor everyday and refill the humidifier(s) when needed.

For a cigar collection that size, a humidor would be the best option and you can probably buy a decent starter humidor in the range of  $75 to $150.  I know you mentioned that you are a student and cost is a concern but consider a humidor to be an investment.  You would have proper cigar storage and maintain a more effective humidity level for your cigars now plus any future cigars that you will buy later.

In regards to your Cohiba Esplendidos, Esplendidos do have a lighter wrapper shade than brands such as Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta.  As for a tight draw, it's a common and understandable problem.  Premium Cuban cigars are made entirely by hand so there’s always the chance of having a cigar that is slightly tighter than others.  Just keep smoking and the cigar should soften a bit from the heat.  This will create more channels for airflow and increase the draw.  If that doesn’t work, feel for a tight spot on the cigar with your index finger and thumb.  Once you find the tight spot, continue smoking the cigar as you apply a firm pinch against the tight spot.  Keep pinching and work your way around the knot as you rotate the cigar in your hand and this should loosen the tobacco and make the draw better.

Hope this answers your questions.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I’ll be happy to help.

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Also what does it mean if the veins of the tobacco leaf become more pronounced and visible? Only noticed this on a few cigars (esplendidos)  .

cheers

Answer
Akhil,

The amount of veins on a wrapper leaf doesn't mean anything.  Typically tobacco leaves used for the wrapper leaf are stripped of the major veins but some of the younger veins are left intact and the amount of veins remaining on a cigar is purely random.

Regards,
James