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Cigars/Questions Answered by Expert James Yee

SubjectDate Asked
Questions regarding trip to Cuba2/8/2012
  Q: Hope all is well with you. I was wondering if you could help me with two questions I have.My first ...
  A: Of the three locations, the LCDH on 63rd Street has the best selection and a large selection but the ...
Bringing Cigars into the US2/6/2012
  Q: Going to St Martin in a couple of weeks. Not so much worried about Cubans while i'm there, but ...
  A: In terms of Non-Cuban cigars, Padron, Padron Anniversario, Avo/Avo Domaine, Hoyo de Monterrey ...
Questions regarding trip to Cuba2/5/2012
  Q: Hope all is well with you. I was wondering if you could help me with two questions I have.My first ...
  A: When travelling to Cuba, your Health card (the newer one with a photo, not the older red and white ...
Fake or Not?2/1/2012
  Q: My co-worker went to the Pargegas factory in Havana last week and bought me 15 Cohiba Siglo IV's in ...
  A: I think your cigars are genuine and the bands were just not cut correctly. I have some Cohibas ...
Some proofs !1/26/2012
  Q: I'm very thankful for your kind response . I would like to attach you my humidor and those little ...
  A: If your cigars do not have any holes, the small insects are most likely tobacco mites which are ...
Urgent need of advice1/26/2012
  Q: . But i do have a questions for you my cigar humidor is a wine cooler with temperature varies from ...
  A: Your humidity level is good. As you mentioned, your cigars feel cool, great and soft so you don't ...
Urgent need of advice1/23/2012
  Q: . But i do have a questions for you my cigar humidor is a wine cooler with temperature varies from ...
  A: The white spots on your cigars means that the humidity is too high or you have too many cigars ...
Bringing cigars back from Cuba1/19/2012
  Q: Hope all is well with you. I'm aware of the fact that when returning to Canada from Cuba,that I'm ...
  A: Sorry about that, I was in a rush and misunderstand your question. To answer your question, no, you ...
Bringing cigars back from Cuba1/19/2012
  Q: Hope all is well with you. I'm aware of the fact that when returning to Canada from Cuba,that I'm ...
  A: According to Canada Border Services Agency, if you bring in more than your personal allowance (50 ...
Bitter Brown Residue1/9/2012
  Q: James- From time to time I will notice a bitter brown residue on the head of a cigar while smoking ...
  A: The brown residue is actually caused by your saliva mixing with the tobacco. This is actually quite ...
Partagas Coronas Senior1/7/2012
  Q: I smoked a Partagas about a week ago, and was warned that these are strong and spicy, yet the ...
  A: Don't mention it, I'm happy to help. :) If you like Vegas Robaina and San Cristobal, be sure to try ...
Cigar (Tube Caps)1/4/2012
  Q: I was wondering, when I store my cigars in my humidor, should I leave the caps on or take them off? ...
  A: Cigar tube caps and cellophane wrappers are not 100% airtight so it's perfectly fine to leave them ...
Napoleon? cigars1/2/2012
  Q: While in Canada years ago, I purchased some machine made lightly flavored cigars. These cigars were ...
  A: Unfortunately, I believe these cigars are no longer being made. I have not seen these cigars in ...
buying cuban cigars12/31/2011
  Q: .. I am going to Cuba in a few months for a holiday and of course i will be buying some cigars. i ...
  A: If you're living in the UK, you have a customs allowance of 50 Cuban cigars, regardless of value. ...
Partagas Serie P No. 212/28/2011
  Q: James- My retailer showed me a box of Partagas Serie P No. 2 today. The semi boite nature box of 25 ...
  A: I'll look into this some more for you. If it's OK with you, I'd like to look into this after the ...
Moldy cigar bands12/27/2011
  Q: Hey James, I noticed that some cigars in a couple of boxes I have appear to have mold on the bands. ...
  A: The green colouring on cigar bands is usually staining from excessive moisture/cigar oils on the ...
Partagas Serie P No. 212/27/2011
  Q: James- My retailer showed me a box of Partagas Serie P No. 2 today. The semi boite nature box of 25 ...
  A: The torpedo heads should be fairly uniform and identical to each other. After cigars are rolled, ...
authenticity of cubans12/5/2011
  Q: been buying cuban cigars from cigar emporium on front st. in st martin. montecristo, hoyo's, and ...
  A: I have not bought from that store before so I can't comment on whether or not their cigars are fake. ...
Cuban cigars12/1/2011
  Q: Hey James! Thanks for the advice on how to store my cigars during a move. The Tupperware worked ...
  A: It's good to hear from you again and I'm glad to hear your cigars survived the move! :) I would ...
mold on humidicant12/1/2011
  Q: I have 2 humidors and use the same water and same foam type humidicant in both. The first one has ...
  A: I would recommend Heartfelt 70% beads. I use these and they work great. A lot of people that ...
mold on humidicant11/29/2011
  Q: I have 2 humidors and use the same water and same foam type humidicant in both. The first one has ...
  A: 100% distilled water usually works great but I find that double-distilled water (aka bidest water) ...
mold on humidicant11/29/2011
  Q: I have 2 humidors and use the same water and same foam type humidicant in both. The first one has ...
  A: Without visually inspecting your humidor, I can't be sure what the exact cause of the mold growth is ...
Habanos Barcode11/28/2011
  Q: James- I checked the barcode on a box of Cohiba Esplendidos at habanos.com and the result came up ...
  A: Yes, the box is still counterfeit as the code doesn't correspond with Cohiba Esplendidos. For ...
Half-Moon Cutout on Cedar Divider11/28/2011
  Q: James, I have read that all genuine Habanos cigars have a half-moon cutout on the upper right hand ...
  A: I've seen both notch variations among genuine Cuban cigar boxes (mostly purchased at La Casa del ...
Habanos Barcode11/26/2011
  Q: James- I checked the barcode on a box of Cohiba Esplendidos at habanos.com and the result came up ...
  A: Yes, that barcode is meant for a slide lid box (SLB) of Hoyo de Monterrey robustos (Epicure No. 2) ...
Cohiba Pyramide EL 200911/25/2011
  Q: My cigar retailer showed me a box of Cohiba Pyramide Edicion Limitada 2009 today. I was not aware of ...
  A: Unfortunately, there are no Cohiba Edicion Limitada cigars released in 2009. In 2009, these were ...
Storing Cohiba Esplendido11/24/2011
  Q: During a visit to Cuba I bought a Cohiba Esplendido to bring back home. Also bought a cedar wood ...
  A: On average, cigars stored in an un-humidified container such as a cigar box, plastic bag or cigar ...
Did I ruin my cigars?11/22/2011
  Q: The other day I bought 4 very nice cigars: Padron - Family Reserve - No. 45 - Maduro Padron - 1926 ...
  A: Don't worry, your cigars are not ruined. Even though your cigars were subjected to 36% for several ...
1 x Box of Reas Belvedere Cigars11/17/2011
  Q: I have in my hand a sealed pack of 25 Reas Belvedere Cigars. The package is in near mint condition ...
  A: That's a nice box of cigars. Reas cigars were handmade in Canada and used Cuban tobacco. The ...
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Cuban?11/1/2011
  Q: Yee, I was given a gift from a friend who I believe is very knowledgable about cigars and works at ...
  A: No, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real is not made in Cuba. The cigar is part of the non-Cuban Romeo ...
Partagas Coronas Senior10/31/2011
  Q: I smoked a Partagas about a week ago, and was warned that these are strong and spicy, yet the ...
  A: Glad to hear you liked the Serie D4. It's one of my favourites too. If you liked the D4, you ...
question10/29/2011
  Q: I would like to know how much is the nicotine content in a cuban habanos cigar and after what period ...
  A: Depending on the size of the cigar, the nicotine content in a single cigar can be anywhere between ...
How to store 2 Cohiba Behike cigars10/26/2011
  Q: I live in Costa Rica and received a genrous gift of 2 Cohiba Behike cigars. I was unaware of how ...
  A: When storing cigars, it's best to keep them in a container that is capable of holding a temperature ...
Temp. & rh.10/15/2011
  Q: I live in San Francisco Ca. on the 6th floor and get direct southern sun light all day. Not directly ...
  A: Your temperature is too high and prolonged exposure to this temperature range will incubate any ...
storing cigars in wine celler10/13/2011
  Q: I am from South Africa, and I love cigars and have a reasonable variety which I keep in their boxes ...
  A: Cigar boxes are not 100% air-tight so it's perfectly fine to leave all the lids closed. (I actually ...
storing cigars in wine celler10/12/2011
  Q: I am from South Africa, and I love cigars and have a reasonable variety which I keep in their boxes ...
  A: Because your wine cellar has about 75-85% humidity, it is not a good place to store your cigars. ...
Cigar Humidity10/8/2011
  Q: James thanks for your answer. Also, now my humidity level in my wine cooler is too high, the oasis ...
  A: It sounds like your Oasis is being obstructed which is causing the humidity to be too high. You ...
Wine Cooler Humidor10/3/2011
  Q: I was wondering if you can help, I bought a Kadeka wine cooler that uses a 134A Refrigerant Sealed ...
  A: If your Cigar Oasis' water reservoir is depleting too quickly, it may mean that your wine cooler has ...
Partagas Coronas Senior9/29/2011
  Q: I smoked a Partagas about a week ago, and was warned that these are strong and spicy, yet the ...
  A: Partagas is commonly known for having medium-to-full bodied cigars but many of Partagas' smaller ...
one hole....9/28/2011
  Q: OK, so I am lucky enough to own a few Partagas 150 Robustos. The other day i noticed 1 small hole ...
  A: Yes, considering the rarity and value of the cigar, I would smoke it. Any holes in your cigars will ...
Cohiba black9/23/2011
  Q: I have only been smoking cigars for a few years but have really grown an appreciation for Maduro ...
  A: Unfortunately, not many Canadian cigar stores carry Cohiba Black due to licensing rights. Because ...
Cohiba Siglo I9/22/2011
  Q: I recently got my hands on a Cohiba Siglo l that I really enjoyed. Can you recommend a similar ...
  A: For non-Cuban brands, try the following: Padron Padron 1964 Anniversario Avo Domaine ...
Cuban cigars that I would like9/21/2011
  Q: I would appreciate your recommendations for Cuban cigars that might match my tastes. Negatively, I ...
  A: Based on your flavour preference, I would recommend the following: Vegas Robaina Famosos Romeo y ...
Humidor9/9/2011
  Q: What options do I have to repair the outside of my humidor. See attached photo.
  A: I would recommend taking your humidor to a furniture restorer or cigar store that can repair or ...
conditioning9/9/2011
  Q: They are mainly Cuban Cohiba Siglos ii Monte Cristo 2 & 5 Upman corona Major and some Davidoff ...
  A: No, you don't need to do anything differently for your new cigars. Simply add them to your humidor ...
Humidor Wood9/8/2011
  Q: I am getting ready to line the inside of my humidor(roughly 4FT X 3FT verticle). I have a product ...
  A: Yes, White Cedar is perfectly fine to use. It's commonly used as a substitute for Spanish cedar in ...
Fake Montecristo No. 2's?9/1/2011
  Q: I just received a box of 25 Montecristo No. 2's that does not have the Habanos red and yellow ...
  A: A lot of the things that you mentioned is enough to cause suspicion. No chevron sticker, serial ...
Safe to smoke cigar gone bad?8/29/2011
  Q: I started smoking a cigar but I had to stop almost right after I started. I put it back in the ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly safe to smoke a cigar that you previously smoked and let go out. Though the ...
Cuban Cigars8/24/2011
  Q: I am going to cuba this week, what are the best cigars to buy? Also if I was to get cigars for ...
  A: Generally, the premium brands and premium sizes are always popular and in demand. Cigars that are ...
SCDLH8/24/2011
  Q: What is a good drink to go with SCDLH El Principe?
  A: San Cristobal de La Habana goes well with a nicely aged scotch (I prefer Johnnie Walker Black or a ...
Cigar Stores in Holguin, Cuba8/19/2011
  Q: Do you know of any cigar stores in and around Holguin and/or Guardalavaca. I know there is an LCDH ...
  A: In Holguin, there is a cigar factory there (at the moment, I can't remember the name of it) and it's ...
HTB/HTF Cubans8/19/2011
  Q: What are some of the cigars that are hard to find or hard to order online, or if there are any you ...
  A: Here in Canada, we do not have access to Punch cigars because the non-Cuban cigar version of Punch ...
Cohiba Esplendidos Glass Top Box8/18/2011
  Q: James, I found an answer from you in 2009 regarding a query as to the validity of the glass top box, ...
  A: Yes, Cuban cigar counterfeiters will affix this label, and the other labels (such as the Habanos ...
What to buy in Cuba8/18/2011
  Q: I started smoking Cigars last January while on a trip to Cuba. I had asked you some question upon my ...
  A: The Cohiba Siglo III is a great choice. I prefer the Siglo IV but the Siglo III is the best value ...
What to buy in Cuba8/18/2011
  Q: I started smoking Cigars last January while on a trip to Cuba. I had asked you some question upon my ...
  A: Based on the cigars that you like, you should smoke mild-to-medium bodied Cuban cigars. Here is a ...
Freezing Cigars8/17/2011
  Q: How does freezing cigars affect their humidity? My freezer stays at 20% RH...
  A: Freezing your cigars will cause them to lose their moisture content. Cigars require approximately ...
how to fix the taste of my cigars8/13/2011
  Q: I jest resonantly found out that i put to much PG in my humidor. Is it possible to save the cigars ...
  A: The only thing you can do is correct the PG to distilled water ratio in your humidor and then let ...
Cuban Cigars Online8/9/2011
  Q: Hey James, I have been smoking cigars for over 20 years and have made multiple trips to Cuba. I ...
  A: I have not ordered from that website before so I can't comment on their authenticity. If you are ...
Temperature and RH8/3/2011
  Q: Another question I'd have has to do with temperature and relative humidity level. I store my ...
  A: The optimal humidity level is 70%; regardless of your temperature level. The variable humidity ...
Can to high level of humidity damage the humidor?8/2/2011
  Q: After I received a new humidor as a present, I have followed the instructions from the producer ...
  A: Extremely high humidity (80% or higher) in your humidor for a long period of time can cause mold to ...
Wine cooler / humidor8/2/2011
  Q: I just bought a thermoelectric wine cooler (28 bottle capacity) to store my cigars as my apartment ...
  A: Is the 60% to 80% shift occuring on a regular basis? If yes, this would indicate that your wine ...
Bugzzzzz!!,7/31/2011
  Q: It was a matter of time... James, i had purchased a 10 box of wide churchills back in feb. I have ...
  A: Yes, it is possible that the beetle hole occured before you bought the cigars but it's still best ...
Choosing a good cigar7/25/2011
  Q: James I am guessing this may be to a large degree governed by personal taste, however I have ...
  A: While flavour and taste is subjective, cigar strength is usually the same (and easily discernible) ...
An unwanted gift7/23/2011
  Q: I have been given a beautiful case of 80 huge Monteceisto cigars from a friend but don't really want ...
  A: Normally cigar buyers and collectors prefer to buy whole boxes with all the cigars included so if ...
Cohiba Piramides7/22/2011
  Q: I just bought a box of Cohiba Piramides from a friend who recently went to Cuba. There are no bands ...
  A: The only way to find out whether or not the cigars you have are good is to smoke one. With ...
Cohiba Piramides7/21/2011
  Q: I just bought a box of Cohiba Piramides from a friend who recently went to Cuba. There are no bands ...
  A: Despite the genuine labels, it's very possible that the cigars are counterfeit. In recent years, ...
Cohiba Piramides7/21/2011
  Q: I just bought a box of Cohiba Piramides from a friend who recently went to Cuba. There are no bands ...
  A: Cohiba Piramides were only offered as an "Edicion Limitada" (2001 & 2006) release and special ...
Juan De Fuca Havana cigar7/16/2011
  Q: I have been going through my mothers possessions since her passing and have run across a very old ...
  A: If the cigar and container is in good shape, it may be worth something. It's best to contact a ...
JAMAVANA CIGARS7/9/2011
  Q: James Thank you for offering this service. I have a pack of hand made JAMAVANA Cigars - No ...
  A: All old or dried out cigars can be restored so that they can be smoked again. Restoring very old or ...
Humidor/Humi-Care Jar6/28/2011
  Q: After setting the humidity in your humidor, do you leave the jar of humi-care in the box with the ...
  A: Yes, after adding water to the jar of crystals, the crystals will expand and turn into a gel-like ...
keeping cigars safe6/27/2011
  Q: i just got into cigars big, i was just wondering 2 things? is it possible to use a humidor correctly ...
  A: Yes, it is possible to use a humidor without a hygrometer but it's recommended that you have a ...
Cuban cigars6/17/2011
  Q: Planning a trip to Varadero soon Can you tell me if the LCDH in Varedero sell genuine Cuban cigars. ...
  A: Yes, all LCDH shops sell genuine Cuban cigars. I have not heard anything about the Varadero LCDH ...
Rehydrate Trinidad Coloniales...6/10/2011
  Q: .. I just received a 5-box trinidad coloniales as a present. They haven´t been properly stored. The ...
  A: If the cigars are extremely dry, I would suggest that you start with a lower humidity level; maybe ...
Cohibas cigars6/8/2011
  Q: I have a box of real Cuban Cohibas cigars and i have had them in a regular cardboard box (Godiva ...
  A: Yes, it is possible to re-hydrate extremely old/dried out cigars. When restoring your cigars, it's ...
moist pad6/6/2011
  Q: So good I have another question in which I am too embarrassed to ask the store clerk. When I ...
  A: This moist pad will humidify your cigars and keep them humidified until you arrive home and are ...
authenticity check5/31/2011
  Q: well since i've been using your resource, just wanted to check if this box was real. cousin says he ...
  A: Counterfeiters have been known to reproduce labels with a genuine serial number to make their cigars ...
authenticity check5/31/2011
  Q: well since i've been using your resource, just wanted to check if this box was real. cousin says he ...
  A: Unfortunately, that box is definitely fake as the placement of the labels is way off. The Habanos ...
Confused about humidity5/30/2011
  Q: I Just added a box of cigars to my humidor which was sitting at 22 C and 71 rh. The cigars were ...
  A: To immediately lower your humidor's humidity, leave the lid slightly open so that there is a small ...
metal casing and storage5/27/2011
  Q: After some time of just buying cigars and smoking them within a few days I have decided to join a ...
  A: Cigar flavours and aromas from different cigars can indeed marry just by prolonged contact with each ...
Cigar5/25/2011
  Q: I checked my cigars this morning. I'm not sure what happened but the humidity was reading 79% and ...
  A: The first thing you must do is remove all your cigars from the humidor and with a dry paper towel, ...
Confused5/19/2011
  Q: I have doing alot of research on Cuban cigars. I am fairly new but have learnt alot on my one. It ...
  A: In your last email, you didn't mention SLBs (slide lid boxes) so I thought you were talking about ...
Confused5/19/2011
  Q: I have doing alot of research on Cuban cigars. I am fairly new but have learnt alot on my one. It ...
  A: The warranty seal is always placed on the lower left corner. Boxes prior to 2009 will have the ...
Cuban Cigar Storage5/10/2011
  Q: A friend of mine just returned from Cuba (I live in Japan) and brought me a box of Cuban COHIBA ...
  A: If you don’t store your cigars in a humidor (or a similar humidified environment), your cigars will ...
Fermentation & Aging5/8/2011
  Q: When tobacco leafs are fermented is there an optimum place, humidity, or temperature to do this at? ...
  A: Once harvested, the tobacco leaves must be hung (usually in pairs) and air-cured for 50 days (25 ...
Ligidor Recipe5/7/2011
  Q: James, SO I miss calculated I have 72 plants! So I was wondering if you had other suggestions for ...
  A: For your shade-grown wrapper leaf tobacco, the mid-section (Segundo Centro Ligero, Primer Centro ...
Cigar taste change5/7/2011
  Q: I find that many cigars have an alkaline or acidic taste after you get through 2/3s of the cigar. ...
  A: The alkaline or acidic taste is caused by the natural buildup of nicotine and tar residue in the ...
Cigar Recipe5/6/2011
  Q: ( next year the Partagas 898 will be growing in my garden:) DO you have any suggestions for me to ...
  A: 1 1/2 years to 2 years age time will make your cigars taste great! Be sure to fully ferment the ...
Cigar Recipe5/6/2011
  Q: ( next year the Partagas 898 will be growing in my garden:) DO you have any suggestions for me to ...
  A: When thoroughly aged, the Havana red leaf has a really earthy and spicy flavour very similar to ...
Cigar Recipe5/5/2011
  Q: James, I was wondering if you had ever come across a recipe for mixing when rolling your own cigar. ...
  A: Cuban cigar recipes are so closely guarded that even I don't know the exact tobacco tiempos that ...
Cohiba Siglo I5/2/2011
  Q: I have a question about cuban cigars, when a friend of mine traveled down to Mexico, he picked me up ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to store your Cuban cigars with your non-Cuban cigars. If you're worried ...
Shipped Cigars without Barcodes5/1/2011
  Q: I have a question about cuban cigars, when a friend of mine traveled down to Mexico, he picked me up ...
  A: If a retailer is not being supplied by the officially-appointed Habanos distributor, then there's ...
Shipped Cigars without Barcodes5/1/2011
  Q: I have a question about cuban cigars, when a friend of mine traveled down to Mexico, he picked me up ...
  A: The serial barcode/number is actually meant for customers as it allows them to check the cigars' ...
cohiba madure 5 genios5/1/2011
  Q: I just wanted to know if the Maduro 5 genios comes in two boxes(one inside the other) or they even ...
  A: Yes, the Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios will come in two boxes: The cigar box itself is a black lacquered ...
coolerdore4/25/2011
  Q: I have a coolerdore in my basement with about 4 empty cigar boxes and a bunch of sheets of cedar ...
  A: No, your coolerdor temperature of 63 degrees Fahrenheit won't have a negative effect on your cigars. ...
humidor to high4/23/2011
  Q: after seasoning my humidor as per the manufactures' instruction my humidity remain high around 80%. ...
  A: The first thing you should do is check your hygrometer and make sure that it's still accurate. ...
yellow humidty beads4/15/2011
  Q: almost half of my beads in their pouch have turned slightly yellow. is this from the small amount of ...
  A: No, this is normal. Over time, humidor beads/crystals (passive humidifier foam as well) will turn ...
white substance - mold?4/15/2011
  Q: i have a frigerdor, 28 bottle. been using it for almost 1 year. left for a 5 week vacation, came ...
  A: Based on your attached picture, the white substance could be plume/bloom but it can also be mold in ...
Cuban Cigars4/10/2011
  Q: I am a traveling to Isla Mujeres and staying at the Villa Rolandiin June and i have started started ...
  A: When buying Cuban cigars, it's always best to shop at a Habanos-approved retailer such as a La Casa ...
Humidification systems4/7/2011
  Q: I'm currently juggling my cigar collection between two humidors (about 50-60 cigars in total). ...
  A: First, if you're using analog hygrometers, you should salt test them for accuracy. Sometimes analog ...
Wine Cooler Layout4/5/2011
  Q: When setting up a wine cooler, what is the best way to layout the necessary components. Obviously ...
  A: Wine fridges, specifically those with a glass front, can indeed have a convection heat environment ...
Converted Refrigerated Humidors3/30/2011
  Q: I've been searching online about Wine Coolers and Compact Refrigerators being converted into ...
  A: I've been told that Costco, Walmart and Sears offers Vinotemp products so you may want to check them ...
Cuban Robusto3/29/2011
  Q: I'm looking a trying some larger gauge cigars, probably a Robusto sized and light to medium ...
  A: Here are some excellent large gauge Cuban cigars that you should try. The Partagas D4 and Hoyo Epi ...
Wine Cooler Layout3/28/2011
  Q: When setting up a wine cooler, what is the best way to layout the necessary components. Obviously ...
  A: If you're using an electronic humidifier, it would be best to place it at the bottom of your ...
Converted Refrigerated Humidors3/26/2011
  Q: I've been searching online about Wine Coolers and Compact Refrigerators being converted into ...
  A: Both are excellent models but I would personally choose the VT-28TEDS. It has a nicer look and ...
Converted Refrigerated Humidors3/26/2011
  Q: I've been searching online about Wine Coolers and Compact Refrigerators being converted into ...
  A: Vinotemp (www.vinotemp.com) makes an excellent thermo-electric humidor. As an alternative, it is ...
Cigar Lounges3/25/2011
  Q: With all the tobacco law changes in Ontario over the past few years, can you say how many legitimate ...
  A: The smoking ban has pretty much seized up all cigar lounges in Ontario. Starting a cigar lounge is ...
cigars and humidors3/24/2011
  Q: I have a few questions. I purchased a humidor approx 5-6 years ago. I have stored some very good ...
  A: I haven't seen side rail hinges for less than $40-$50 either. You may want to try Lee Valley ...
Cigar Oasis3/22/2011
  Q: I have a cigar oasis, it is in a humidor that holds approx 4-500 cigars. I have had it now for about ...
  A: If the element has a very light brown/tan tinge, you can continue using it if you prefer. If the ...
Cigar Oasis3/22/2011
  Q: I have a cigar oasis, it is in a humidor that holds approx 4-500 cigars. I have had it now for about ...
  A: Yes, it's common for the humidification element (foam, crystals, beads, etc.) to turn brown from ...
House Cigar3/18/2011
  Q: I bought a house cigar this past week end and was wondering if you could help me figure out what it ...
  A: Those are Davidoff (yes, Davidoff!) Medium-filler Private Stock cigars. They're made from tobacco ...
Cigar tobacco remains for pipe smoking3/16/2011
  Q: I heard somewhere that the remaining part of a cigar can be smoked in a pipe instead of being laid ...
  A: Yes, the remainder of a smoked cigar can be placed in a pipe and smoked. To do this, let the cigar ...
Northern Ontario3/12/2011
  Q: I live in small town about 2hrs north of North Bay with no local cigar store, do you have any ...
  A: Keep an eye out for these cigars: Cuban: Montecristo (#4, 5) Romeo y Julieta (Mille Fleur, ...
Storage of cigars in tropical climate3/12/2011
  Q: I live in Singapore where outdoor temperatures range from 72F-87F and it is not uncommon for RH to ...
  A: What you'll want to do is keep your humidor in the coolest room possible. Take a digital ...
Are Cuban Cigars the Best?3/11/2011
  Q: I haven't tried anything but Cuban cigars in my short time since starting (January 2011), but from ...
  A: Having smoked many Cuban cigars AND many non-Cuban cigars, I like to think that Cuban cigars are ...
Cuban Cigars and Cedar3/10/2011
  Q: Since you answered my first question so quickly, I have 2 more questions. My wife and I just ...
  A: Canadian/Western Red Cedar is actually very pungent and shouldn't be used in a humidor because the ...
Northern Ontario3/10/2011
  Q: I live in small town about 2hrs north of North Bay with no local cigar store, do you have any ...
  A: What you can do is purchase cigars whenever you're in North Bay. I'm not familiar with the North ...
Where to obtain Cuban cigars on Holiday3/8/2011
  Q: Yee. I enjoy a good Habanos but the only method i have to import them to ireland lehgally and in the ...
  A: When buying Cuban cigars, be sure that you or your friend only shop at a Habanos-approved retailer ...
ELECTRONIC HUMIDIFIERS3/7/2011
  Q: HEY JAMES,HERE IN CANADA ITS HARD TO KEEP UP GOOD HUMIDITY IN THE WINTER IN YOUR HUMIDOR,WHEN THE ...
  A: I think electronic humidifiers are great and everyone should use them. The large water reservoir ...
cigars and humidors3/6/2011
  Q: I have a few questions. I purchased a humidor approx 5-6 years ago. I have stored some very good ...
  A: A drop in humidity could be due to the dry heat in our homes during winter. This is very common ...
Bovedad packs preformance II3/2/2011
  Q: I recently asked you about these packs. Now I have 2 (75%) in my desktop humi (25-50). RH wont ...
  A: Yes, some humidors (specifically mass-produced ones) do not have a moisture barrier and this will ...
Humi-care3/2/2011
  Q: I can't seem to locate the company that makes these products. Any idea?Still can't find anyone who ...
  A: I'm not sure why they won't help you. The company is a Humi-care retailer plus they endorse the ...
Humi-care3/1/2011
  Q: I can't seem to locate the company that makes these products. Any idea?Still can't find anyone who ...
  A: You're right, it's hard to track down Humi-care's contact info. I haven't been able to find any ...
Boveda packs performance2/28/2011
  Q: James I recently got a cedar wood desktop humidor (25-50 cigars) and I've decided to control ...
  A: Usually after swapping out or recharging a humidifier, the humidity in your humidor will temporarily ...
aquafoam2/28/2011
  Q: Morning James,where Can I purchase this foam for my himi-care 1000. I would also like to purchase a ...
  A: Cigarsdirect.com sells fan kits for your humidifier. Aquafoam usually isn't sold separately in ...
Wine cooler2/27/2011
  Q: I ve got 3 Monarcas Humidors (approximatelly 80 boxes capacity) I need to buy 1 more but i was ...
  A: Yes, you should use kiln-dried Spanish cedar panels. If you use air-dried cedar, it may warp and ...
Wine cooler2/27/2011
  Q: I ve got 3 Monarcas Humidors (approximatelly 80 boxes capacity) I need to buy 1 more but i was ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1) Yes, the wine cooler should be thermoelectric and should have a ...
Are my cigars completely dead and basically ready for the bin?2/25/2011
  Q: I also see you seem to have a lot of patience with answering some of the same types of questions ...
  A: Yes, humi-pouches generally last 90 days. All humi-pouches will have a humidified lining built into ...
New Hnadmade cigars from La Palma island, Canary Islands2/25/2011
  Q: It has come to our attencion that yuou are an expert on cigars. Precisely the kind of persona we ...
  A: Perez, Thank you very much for contacting me. Yes, I am very interested in sampling and reviewing ...
cigar gels2/25/2011
  Q: can i just use water to add to the crystals and maintain 70% humidity and 70 degree temp. or do i ...
  A: Normally, humidor beads/crystals will create the proper amount of humidity without Propylene Glycol ...
Musty Taste in Cigars2/24/2011
  Q: I stored my cigars in a musty smelling closet for a few weeks, now when I smoke them, there is just ...
  A: What you should do is remove the cigars from your closet and move them to a properly seasoned, ...
hand-rolled cigar shop in Toronto2/24/2011
  Q: I don't know where in Canada you are, but maybe you know about this: When I lived in Toronto in the ...
  A: I'm actually in Toronto and I'm not far from the downtown area. Are you referring to Correnti ...
Book2/22/2011
  Q: James, I Truly enjoy your Q and A forum. I'm jealous that you have access to all those Cuban ...
  A: Between a Tupperware container and a cigar jar, a tupperware container would be better. With cigar ...
Cohiba2/22/2011
  Q: I would just like to know if cohiba made a edition specilale of pyramids for 2010, Seems like there ...
  A: When buying Cuban cigars, the most important thing to remember is to research the retailers ...
Are my cigars completely dead and basically ready for the bin?2/19/2011
  Q: I also see you seem to have a lot of patience with answering some of the same types of questions ...
  A: To answer your questions: Yes, Cuban cigars are indeed illegal in the United States. This is due ...
Cohiba2/19/2011
  Q: I would just like to know if cohiba made a edition specilale of pyramids for 2010, Seems like there ...
  A: Cohiba did not make a 2010 Edicion Limitada Piramides (or any other type of regional or special ...
Beads or active?2/18/2011
  Q: Hope all is well.As mentioned in a previous e-mail,I just recently purchased the Havana foot locker ...
  A: For humidors 350-count or larger, I would suggest using an electronic humidifier. It's possible to ...
humidor mold2/16/2011
  Q: Hey James, I was wondering about how much alcohol to use to get rid of the mold. I don't want to ...
  A: You'll want to use just enough alcohol to "lightly moisten" the wood. Don't saturate or soak the ...
My new humidor2/12/2011
  Q: Good day James.Hope all is well.James,I just purchased a new humidor.It's the Havana Foot Locker ...
  A: For long-term cigar aging, it's always best to keep them in their original boxes. By doing so, the ...
Cigar business2/10/2011
  Q: I know this somewhat of a odd question but I was wondering how is the best way of getting into the ...
  A: If you're interested in starting a cigar business, my best advice is that you visit your local ...
New Cohiba Cigars2/10/2011
  Q: I was recently given 2 cigars from a co-worker who's friend had visited Cuba. The cigars seem to ...
  A: Unfortunately, it sounds like your cigars are fake. :( Cohiba currently does not have an Edicion ...
cigar2/9/2011
  Q: with notes of cocoa, vanilla, caramel cigar would be. I know not all notes will be present in one ...
  A: Padron makes some excellent mild-to-medium bodied cigars that are very creamy and smooth. I ...
Humidor won't season?2/8/2011
  Q: Hey, I purchased a new 150 count humidor a few months back. I spoke with the guy who I bought it ...
  A: First, salt test the hygrometer to make sure that it’s accurate and working properly. Take a small ...
Do it yourself humidor2/8/2011
  Q: I live in an old house and have converted one of the old bedrooms into an office. There is a very ...
  A: For the walls, it’s best that you use kiln-dried Spanish cedar panels. Spanish cedar is commonly ...
buying cigars in cuba2/5/2011
  Q: I'm planing a trip to Cuba this year,and I was wondering if you would have any knowledge as to what ...
  A: Martymix has an excellent guide for purchasing Cuban cigars in Cuba so I'll quote directly from his ...
Expanded cigar foot2/5/2011
  Q: I take care of my cigars really well (I hope!) and keep my humidor maintained at 75% humidity as ...
  A: Your cigars expanding and splitting at the feet is caused by the high humidity. Try lowering the ...
Humidor humidity maintenance2/4/2011
  Q: My cigar store sold me a Xikar jar, pre-filled with magic beads. Just unscrew the top, and voila! ...
  A: Food-grade Propylene Glycol (PG) is commonly used in humidors to help maintain an ideal humidity ...
CUBAN CIGARS2/3/2011
  Q: I have smoked cigars on and off for a couple of years now and I am interested in your opinion on a ...
  A: Based on your taste profile, I would recommend the following Cuban brands (recommended cigar sizes ...
Authenticty check questions2/2/2011
  Q: James, I would like some information on which Habanos website offers the authenticity check? I ...
  A: I just checked Habano's authenticity check on their official webpage and it's working correctly. ...
Humidity and Dryness1/28/2011
  Q: James, My humidor is consistently set at about 74-76% humidity. I try and keep it around this ...
  A: Have you salt tested your hygrometer recently? If not, you should salt test and calibrate it if ...
Humidor SOS!!1/24/2011
  Q: I bought a humi for my husband who is out of the country until Feb. I was going to surprise him. I ...
  A: Salt test the hygrometers again but don't add too much water. The salt should be "crumbly" like ...
Humidor SOS!!1/24/2011
  Q: I bought a humi for my husband who is out of the country until Feb. I was going to surprise him. I ...
  A: It sounds like your humidor may need to be seasoned some more which may take another 24-48 hours ...
Oliva Liga Maestra 31/20/2011
  Q: I was Wondering what your thoughts are of the Oliva Master Blend 3 Double Robusto and what drink to ...
  A: I like the Oliva Master Blend 3 line very much. The double robusto is a medium-to-full bodied cigar ...
Habanos Authenticity Check1/19/2011
  Q: Please help me James! I recently received a box of 25 Montecristo #2. I am familiar with the ...
  A: Based on the placement of the warranty label, it sounds like you have a counterfeit box. :( The ...
mold?1/18/2011
  Q: I have a one year old cabinet humidor approx. 3X3X6 ft. It is himidified by 2 Cigar Oasis ...
  A: It's very possible that the substance is from the glue or sap in the grain of the wood. Over time, ...
Black dot in humidification device1/11/2011
  Q: I have a black dot on my humidification device, I noticed it while I was letting it soak. Is it ...
  A: The black dot could indeed be mold. To be sure, look at the dot under a microscope or magnifying ...
habanos in San Jose Costa Rica1/10/2011
  Q: I saw your advice to a question regarding genuine habanos in San Jose Costa Rica and you advised, ...
  A: Yes. In 2010, the Habanos distributor for Costa Rica and Nicaragua became Cruz Canela & Trust GB ...
Partagas D4 clasp1/10/2011
  Q: James, Another person recently inquired about the writing on the back of the the clasp on a box ...
  A: Currently, all the D4s that I've seen at my Habanos retailers still have the writing on the clasp so ...
Humidor setup1/9/2011
  Q: I bought a new humidor it holds up to 500 cigars and I also bought a Oasis xl humidifier. So I ...
  A: The first thing that you must do is make sure that your hygrometer is accurate. With new humidors, ...
humidor reading1/6/2011
  Q: I have had a recently had my humidor for about 5 years never had a problem I have been switching ...
  A: If your cigars feel and burn fine, your hygrometer may just be giving off a false reading. Salt ...
decrease in humidity of humidor inquiry1/5/2011
  Q: Good evening. As of late the humidity in my humidor has dropped. As we speak the humidity is at 57%. ...
  A: This is actually a common problem with most humidors during cold winter months. What happens is that ...
humi-care eh plus1/5/2011
  Q: I just purchased a new 300 stick humidor and the humi-care eh plus my question is I hooked up the ...
  A: The fan should power on immediately. First, use a digital hygrometer to check the humidity level ...
Cigar packaging1/4/2011
  Q: Can you tell me the size( radius) of the cut out of the cedar sheet that goes between the layers of ...
  A: On the cedar sheets, the round finger hole has a radius of 90 degrees. For cedar sheets with an ...
cigar oasis seasoning12/28/2010
  Q: how do you know when your humidor is done seasoning with the cigar oasis? it says to put it in an ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly normal for the Cigar Oasis to repeatedly turn on and off. What it does is ...
cigar oasis seasoning12/28/2010
  Q: how do you know when your humidor is done seasoning with the cigar oasis? it says to put it in an ...
  A: With seasoning, you're basically wetting/saturating the wood so that it can regulate humidity more ...
cigar latch12/21/2010
  Q: James, Hope you are well!! I have noticed that some latches on the boxes of Habanos have the name ...
  A: EDIT (12/28/10): Hi Tony, I checked all my genuine boxes of D4 (purchased from various LCDH ...
Hologram Seal12/16/2010
  Q: I have a box of Trinidad fundadores that i purchased from a swiss store over the net. This store is ...
  A: Is it the new warranty label with the hologram strip and barcode with serial number? I personally ...
Digital Hygrometer Thermometer12/15/2010
  Q: At what temperatures should my Digital Hygrometer be reading in a humidor in C/F ANSWER: Hi Doug, ...
  A: 19.9 degrees Celcius is fine. Though 21 degrees Celcius is considered ideal, the safe range for ...
Digital Hygrometer Thermometer12/13/2010
  Q: At what temperatures should my Digital Hygrometer be reading in a humidor in C/F
  A: The ideal humidor temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celcius) but your cigars are safe ...
Cracked Cigars12/9/2010
  Q: I do have a few more questions. I counted 12 cigars effected by this problem. Most of them are ...
  A: Cracked cigars can indeed be repaired. What you can do is purchase a bottle of Cigar Dr. (or any ...
cohiba piramides12/7/2010
  Q: i was recently in Varadero , and a Cuban friend of mine said he could get me a box of ...
  A: Unfortunately, it sounds like the cigars are not genuine. Cohiba is Cuba's flagship cigar brand and ...
Cigar cracking12/7/2010
  Q: I have read through a few posts and found some things relating to my problems. However, none of them ...
  A: It sounds like the cigars are cracking in your humidor because there's too much humidity being ...
Humidors12/2/2010
  Q: James Yet another question about humidors. I'm thinking about making a relatively big order from ...
  A: Those are good humidor choices. Prometheus, Diamond Crown, Savinelli, Xikar, Cigar Savor and Colibri ...
cubans vs non cubans12/1/2010
  Q: Is there a big taste/quality difference between the Cuban cigar and its non Cuban counterpart? For ...
  A: Although taste is subjective, there is a noticeable difference in flavour between Cuban and ...
Humidors11/29/2010
  Q: Thanks
  A: This website has some well-priced humidors plus they're based in the UK: ...
Cigar storage11/23/2010
  Q: James - I belong to a cigar club and have a box in the humidor which is keep at a perfect 70/70. ...
  A: It's best to leave the box lid(s) closed. Air and humidity will still enter the box through the ...
humidor capacity11/22/2010
  Q: can you keep 10 or 20 cigars in a humidor made for 100 ?,I was told by a cigar shop salesperson that ...
  A: Keeping 10 or 20 cigars in a 100-count humidor is perfectly fine as long as the humidity level is ...
Cuban Fakes11/12/2010
  Q: I have seen boxes og Cuban Cigars from Switzerland at friends houses. The markings are perfect, ...
  A: If your friend purchased the cigars from a reputable Swiss dealer, the cigars are most likely ...
Which cigar brands use flour?11/11/2010
  Q: I have Celiac disease, which is an allergy to the gluten found in wheat flour. I've noticed when ...
  A: It sounds like you are having an allergic reaction to the vegetable glue that is used to adhere the ...
Humidity without humidifier11/9/2010
  Q: A friend of mine has this weird problem with his humidor. I actually did the seasoning when i passed ...
  A: The first thing you should do is make sure your friend's hygrometer is accurate. Use a salt test on ...
Smoking when windy10/30/2010
  Q: Yee, When I smoke cigars at home (which is often), I am required to smoke outdoors. Unfortunately, ...
  A: When smoking outdoors, it's always important to note the direction of the wind. If the wind is ...
Cuban Cigars and others10/28/2010
  Q: I have been to Cuba several times and have always purchased cigars, each time thinking that I am ...
  A: Smoothing out a tobacco knot is simple: When smoking a cigar that has a poor draw, try to feel for ...
storing cigar boxes in wine cellar..10/27/2010
  Q: James, I have a powered wine cellar for wines. It is kept at about 60 degrees F and 70% humidity. ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to store your cigars in your wine cellar. Your powered wine cellar has a ...
Cuban Cigars and others10/27/2010
  Q: I have been to Cuba several times and have always purchased cigars, each time thinking that I am ...
  A: Cigars with a hard draw is often caused by over-humidification or a construction flaw (such as the ...
Tubos Storage10/26/2010
  Q: James: I have quite an extensive cigar collection but have never purchased cigars in tubos. I just ...
  A: Whether or not you should leave the cigars in the aluminum cigar tubes is optional and entirely up ...
old box of monterrey cigars10/24/2010
  Q: I recently received a box of Monterrey cigars from a friend. They were at least 3-4 years old. ...
  A: No worries, I'm here to help so don't worry about bothering me or asking questions. Yes, it's ...
old box of monterrey cigars10/23/2010
  Q: I recently received a box of Monterrey cigars from a friend. They were at least 3-4 years old. ...
  A: Yes, you can definitely salvage the undamaged cigars. In regards to storage, I would not recommend ...
old box of monterrey cigars10/22/2010
  Q: I recently received a box of Monterrey cigars from a friend. They were at least 3-4 years old. ...
  A: All cigars - no matter how dry they are - has potential to be re-hydrated and restored. Before you ...
Sterilizing humidification device10/22/2010
  Q: My last humidification device developed a mass of white mold on the front of the unit, I have since ...
  A: Mold can appear due to one or more reasons. First, mold can appear when your humidor has high ...
Humidor humidity10/22/2010
  Q: Mr. Yee, I have a 50ct. humidor with a digital hygrometer and a xikar humidification jar as well as ...
  A: Yes, a humidor's humidity level can indeed drop (temporarily) whenever a surplus of cigars is added. ...
walk-in humidor for home10/18/2010
  Q: I would like to know if it is possible to create a 2-in-1 cigar walk-in humidor and wine cellar. ...
  A: Wine storage should not exceed 64 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees is considered ideal). Your room ...
walk-in humidor for home10/17/2010
  Q: I would like to know if it is possible to create a 2-in-1 cigar walk-in humidor and wine cellar. ...
  A: Yes, it's possible to build a room for both your wine and cigars. As long as the temperature in ...
Cigar Jars10/16/2010
  Q: you advice me in the past so i have more questions (1) i have porcelain jars,for example Partagas ...
  A: For long-term aging, you can use glass or porcelain jars but it's important that you leave the lid ...
nauseous... for days10/14/2010
  Q: I saw your answer from last year regarding getting nauseous while smoking a cigar. I am a novice, ...
  A: Cigar sickness has been known to affect people for several days. The level of nausea really varies ...
Soft Cigars10/14/2010
  Q: Recently, I have been purchasing cigars in bulk to last me through the weekend. I have noticed that ...
  A: Over-humidified cigars can indeed have a bland or vegetal taste. What you can do is let your cigars ...
humidors and humidification10/12/2010
  Q: New to cigars. Time to get a humidor. Looking for a reliable, long lasting model which holds about ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to not stock your humidor to full capacity. When buying a humidor, it's ...
humidors and humidification10/12/2010
  Q: New to cigars. Time to get a humidor. Looking for a reliable, long lasting model which holds about ...
  A: From my personal experience, Adorini is an excellent humidor brand. I also use Diamond Crown, ...
dry cigars10/9/2010
  Q: have receievd a box of cohibas that were left at room temp in orignal box, wrapped individually in ...
  A: To rehydrate your dry cigars, all you need to do is store your cigars in a humidor or humi-pouch at ...
pairing drinks with cigars9/30/2010
  Q: I was wondering, what is a good drink to go with a Joya De Nicaragua Antano 1970 Consul. Thanks
  A: The Joya De Nicaragua Antano Consul is a rich cigar so you should pair it with a sweet or smooth ...
Cuban box found9/22/2010
  Q: At my now passed-away aunts house we recently found an unopened box of cuban cigars. After some ...
  A: That is a box of Camacho No. 1 cigars. As you mentioned, Camacho cigars are not Cuban but instead, ...
Coolerdor + Humidity Beads9/18/2010
  Q: I upgraded from my 50 count humidor to a 150 count humidor thinking that would be more than enough ...
  A: Humidor beads are excellent. I have some and they work like a charm with no problems at all. For ...
cigar humidior9/16/2010
  Q: I am purchasing a liquor store and moving it across the street from its present location. I want to ...
  A: The size of the walk-in humidor depends on how many cigar brands you intend to carry. The non-Cuban ...
electric humidor9/15/2010
  Q: I was reading some of your comments about your suggestions re an electric humidor. I also want to ...
  A: Some wine fridges have a thermostat that can exceed 66F so you will have to shop around for a good ...
Hygrometers9/12/2010
  Q: Ive got a situation in my humidor that is quite puzzling. Anyways, I got sick of worrying about ...
  A: I've been told that the Cigar Oasis hygrometer is not as sensitive as some of the high-end ...
Toasting the Foot9/11/2010
  Q: I've read many of your awesome answers to numerous humidor issues, so I'd like to bring up something ...
  A: When lighting a cigar, always remember to constantly rotate the cigar as you apply the flame. It's ...
Sorry for bothering u my friend :)9/3/2010
  Q: Im stock of choosing between RRAMON ALLONES robusto size and PARTAGAS D4 and montecristo edmundo! ...
  A: I personally prefer the Partagas D4. I love the Ramon Allones Specially Selected and Montecristo ...
cohiba9/3/2010
  Q: Have you ever smoked a cohiba club cigarrito? The cold weather is soon coming to NYC and i won't ...
  A: Yes, I have smoked Cohiba Clubs before and they are one of my favourite cigarillo cigars. These ...
cban cigars9/2/2010
  Q: i know cuban cigars prices in canada are off the radar..my question has to do wiht cigar prices in ...
  A: A box of Montecristo No. 2 will cost around $190 USD in Cuba. A box of Cohiba Siglo VI will cost ...
how to light a perfecto8/31/2010
  Q: I recently bought some Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story's... I then realized that I have never ...
  A: With perfecto cigars (or any other figuardo cigar that has a tapered foot), you don't need to cut ...
cigar oasis xl question8/30/2010
  Q: so I finally got a Cigar Oasis to put in my new 150 count humidor. So I set up everything as ...
  A: Don't worry, this is normal. The way the Cigar Oasis works is that it will generate humidity until ...
Too much humidity8/27/2010
  Q: Just got my first humidor and am having some problems. I calibrated both the analog and Madeleine ...
  A: What you should do is wait a week and see if the humidity level stabilizes at a more ideal level. ...
Soft Cigars8/26/2010
  Q: I recently got a bundle of Nicaguran Maduro cigars and apparently most of them which I checked are ...
  A: Extra soft cigars can usually be caused by over-humidification. Whenever cigars are kept at a ...
Smokers Stress?!?!!???8/24/2010
  Q: We have experienced beautiful weather this summer and hence, I have been smoking a hell of a lot ...
  A: Cigar smokers can indeed suffer from smoker's stress. It's hard to pinpoint the exact cause of this ...
secondary/gray cuban cigar markets8/18/2010
  Q: James, recently I bought Cuban cigars online from what I consider a legitimate online dealer. ...
  A: No, it's not common practice for retailers to remove the serial barcode from their boxes. In fact, ...
40th anniversary cohiba8/17/2010
  Q: did habanos make a 40th anniversary cohiba churchill that had a natural and maduro wrapper?
  A: No, the only 40th Anniversary Cohiba cigar that was released was the special edition Behike double ...
Mold or Plume8/17/2010
  Q: im sure you have read a million posts with the subject line "mold or plume". And dont get me ...
  A: The best way to differentiate mold from plume is that plume will appear evenly over a cigar like a ...
puro express.com8/16/2010
  Q: James, Recently bought a box of partagas d no4 from an online retailer. I'm concerned b/c there ...
  A: IIRC, the new seals do not have the UV image because it was replaced by the hologram strip and other ...
puro express.com8/15/2010
  Q: James, Recently bought a box of partagas d no4 from an online retailer. I'm concerned b/c there ...
  A: Boxes produced in 2009 and early 2010 can have both warranty seals. This is normal. However, the ...
Montecristo #2 bands prior 20028/15/2010
  Q: Just received a box of Monti 2's from 2002 and was looking at the bands (color) compared to other ...
  A: This is normal. Prior to 2003, Montecristo bands were known to slightly vary in shade. Some were ...
should I leave the wrapper on8/14/2010
  Q: I bought a box of Dominican Republic and made Brocatus torpedos. I have had this brand before and ...
  A: Whether or not you should remove the cellophane wrappers is optional and entirely up to you. ...
Placement of humidifier in humidor8/14/2010
  Q: I have a Lucky Seven humidor. This is a seven drawer style cabinet with a glass front opening. ...
  A: With multi-tiered humidors, it's always ideal to place the humidifiers at the bottom of your ...
Cleaning Bloom on Humidifier8/14/2010
  Q: I purchased a small humidor last year, a nice little box, nothing fancy. Lately I've noticed the ...
  A: True, it's always best to keep your humidor's humidity level close to 70%. 67-73% is acceptable ...
cigar will not stay lit8/13/2010
  Q: I bought a box of Dominican Republic and made Brocatus torpedos. I have had this brand before and ...
  A: Do the cigars feel hard at all? If yes, the cigar(s) may be rolled too tightly and this can cause ...
beetles!8/12/2010
  Q: I read your fascinating exchange with a guy who had found cigars with holes; and your instructions ...
  A: It's not necessary to move the cigars to the fridge before you freeze them but when removing them ...
beetles!8/12/2010
  Q: I read your fascinating exchange with a guy who had found cigars with holes; and your instructions ...
  A: A fine dark powder in your humidor is a definite sign that tobacco beetles are present. Though your ...
Emilia Garcia Trifold Sign8/12/2010
  Q: I picked up an Emilia Garcia Cuban Cigar Trifold sign. It's a great piece in pretty good condition. ...
  A: That's a great piece of cigar history but I'm not sure why it isn't selling. There could one or ...
Cleaning Bloom on Humidifier8/12/2010
  Q: I purchased a small humidor last year, a nice little box, nothing fancy. Lately I've noticed the ...
  A: The best way to differentiate mold from mineral trace or bloom is by examining the substance up ...
Rio Tan Cigars8/10/2010
  Q: Are Rio Tan Cigars still available, if so who makes them and where to get them, and if not any and ...
  A: Unfortunately, Roi-Tan (pronounced "Roy Tan") cigars appear to be discontinued now. Roi-Tan cigars ...
Ordering Cigars Online8/8/2010
  Q: I had a few questions about something I think all online cigar sites do. I order from ...
  A: Cigar retailers - whether it's a mailorder company or an actual retail store - do indeed open and ...
Winedor8/3/2010
  Q: I am gearing up to start a 28 bottle winedor for my cigars. I have my lb of hearfelt beads, silicone ...
  A: Yes, you can just place a dish or container in your winedor and it will make an excellent drip ...
Winedor8/3/2010
  Q: I am gearing up to start a 28 bottle winedor for my cigars. I have my lb of hearfelt beads, silicone ...
  A: You're absolutely right. For cigar storage, it's always best to use distilled water and only ...
CAO brazilia minis and H Upmann Vintage minis7/30/2010
  Q: are the CAO brazilia minis and the H Upmann Vintage minis dry-cured? How can I tell if little cigars ...
  A: Those are indeed dry-cured cigars. Dry-cured cigars (also known as "dutch cigars") are easily ...
Romeo y Julieta Sport Largos7/29/2010
  Q: A friend gave me a RyJ sport largos but I have never tried it. Have you smoked this cigar before, ...
  A: The RyJ Sport Largos is a nice "quick" smoke. The smoke is smooth and the flavours are nicely ...
3 random questions7/29/2010
  Q: I have a few questions that are pretty unrelated and hope you can answer them 1) Im buying a 150 ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1/ Even with an electronic humidifier, your humidor should still be ...
hard draw with cohiba siglo II's7/27/2010
  Q: I recently got a new box of Cohiba Siglo II's. Ive had them before, and really enjoyed them. ...
  A: This is actually a common problem with many handmade cigars; even genuine cigars. Because premium ...
Montecristo White Montes cigars7/25/2010
  Q: are Montecristo White Montes cigars dry-cured? do I need to put them in a humidor?? thanks in ...
  A: The tobacco in Montecristo White cigars are not oven-baked/dry-cured so you still need to store ...
first humidor, hot climate.7/25/2010
  Q: MR Yee I only recently started smoking cigars, and have been picking them up a few at a time, with ...
  A: "Seasoning" your humidor is very easy to do and can be done with a few household items that you may ...
just one more time7/24/2010
  Q: ok im sure your sick of hearing from me and these cigars i bought the gran reservas today checked ...
  A: Jacob, I just checked the serial code and I'm sorry to tell you this but Habanos SA says the code ...
cuban cigars7/23/2010
  Q: What is currently the best cuban cigar? And what are your thoughts on the Cohiba Siglo 1?
  A: Because taste is subjective, it's hard to say which is the best Cuban cigar. To me, the Montecristo ...
Cigar Oasis7/22/2010
  Q: I was thinking of upgrading to a bigger humidor and a Cigar oasis as I often find my 50 count ...
  A: Yes, the Cigar Oasis XL will work with 150-count humidors. The Cigar Oasis XL can accomodate up to ...
COHIBA SIGLO VI GRAN RESERVA7/22/2010
  Q: i recently asked about the 2003 limited edition cohibas i was wrong this is what she has for sale ...
  A: $250 for the Siglo VI Gran Reserva is extremely suspicious. The average price for a single box of ...
Round Humidifiers7/22/2010
  Q: Is there any difference between hanging a round humidifier upside down from the lid of the humidor ...
  A: No, there's no difference in the placement of the humidification device inside your humidor. ...
2003 limited edition cohibas7/20/2010
  Q: i have recently been afforded an opportunity to purchase a box of 2003 limited edition cohibas and ...
  A: The first thing you should do is examine the cigars. In 2003, the only Cohiba Edicion Limitada ...
Cigars7/19/2010
  Q: I have a hundred capacity Alhambra humidor.I opened it up last week and the 8-10 cigars on the left ...
  A: First, inspect the moldy substance. Remember, mold is fuzzy and thick in texture and grows in ...
Humidor7/11/2010
  Q: James, 1)What is the best quality humidor to buy and where? 2)What is the best humidifier to buy ...
  A: Because there are literally hundreds of humidor brands and styles with prices ranging from $50 to ...
cigars7/9/2010
  Q: I want to purchase cuban cigars from puro express, are they a genuine company that sells cuban ...
  A: Please note that I do not endorse any Cuban cigar mailorder website and will not refer, list or ...
Cigar storage7/8/2010
  Q: I received a shipment of 24 camaroons is a wooden box, wrapped in cellophane. Can I store them in ...
  A: Yes, it's best to store the cigars away from natural sunlight and incandescent desk lighting as they ...
Cigar storage7/8/2010
  Q: I received a shipment of 24 camaroons is a wooden box, wrapped in cellophane. Can I store them in ...
  A: It's best to store your cigars in a cigar humidor with an internal environment of 70% humidity and ...
Humidor7/1/2010
  Q: I recently began smoking cigars and got a free rosewood humidor with an order. There is a ~8" by ...
  A: What you should do first is season your humidor. Seasoning your humidor will allow it to absorb and ...
Cabinet versions6/30/2010
  Q: Is there a difference in te cigar quality between cabinet versions and standard packaged cigars?
  A: There's actually no difference in the tobacco between cabinet and dress box cigars. The only ...
habanos6/26/2010
  Q: Do romeo and julietta exhibicion #2 edicion limitada 2007 if so what is the msrp in cuba? ANSWER: ...
  A: Unfortunately, Habanos does not release Cuba-exclusive Edicion Limitadas (except for the 2001 Vegas ...
habanos6/26/2010
  Q: Do romeo and julietta exhibicion #2 edicion limitada 2007 if so what is the msrp in cuba?
  A: The Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion #2 was only released as an Edicion Limitada cigar in 2000. In 2007, ...
Humidor6/25/2010
  Q: I have two humidors and nether will go above 60 percent humidity... why?
  A: There could be many reasons why your humidors cannot create more than 60% humidity. First, have ...
cigars6/21/2010
  Q: Iam going to order some cigars over the internet from a duty free zone,will I have to pay taxesin ...
  A: It's hard to say whether or not you will be taxed. This depends on the retailer, the shipping ...
Cigars from India6/13/2010
  Q: Sir: Arthur Conan Doyle in his first book 'A study in scarlet' mentions Trichinopoly Cigars. ...
  A: I think the cigar market is always interested in new cigars from around the world and would gladly ...
Trinidad Fundadores6/9/2010
  Q: I recently bought a box of Trinidad Fundadores. The yellow ribbon wrpped around the cigars didnt ...
  A: If you bought the box from an authorized Habanos retailer and the box was sealed, it's most likely ...
Trinidad Fundadores6/9/2010
  Q: I recently bought a box of Trinidad Fundadores. The yellow ribbon wrpped around the cigars didnt ...
  A: The yellow ribbon does not have any printing for the Trinidad cigars. Of all the genuine Trinidad ...
Cohiba Edicion Limitada '06 question.6/4/2010
  Q: How's it going James? I'm wondering if I should take the cello off, or leave it on. Do I smoke the ...
  A: In 2006, there were only three (3) Edicion Limitada cigars: Cohiba Piramides, Montecristo Robusto ...
Cuban Cigars6/3/2010
  Q: I recently returned from Cuba with approximately 35 Cohiba's (2 Castro's, 20-25 various other ...
  A: There's no need to freeze your cigars now. Your humidor's humidity has only touched on 75 degrees ...
Cuban Cigars6/2/2010
  Q: I recently returned from Cuba with approximately 35 Cohiba's (2 Castro's, 20-25 various other ...
  A: It would be better to store your humidor in your basement or a closet as they are much cooler than ...
Monte Sublimes5/25/2010
  Q: Can you tell me if Montecristo sublimes box of 10 has a sheet of wax paper inside the size of the ...
  A: A box of Montecristo Sublimes can be packaged with or without the 1 inch strip of parchment paper. ...
Cohiba Genios5/21/2010
  Q: I recently purchased a box of Cohiba Genios in Canada from a retailer that is listed on the official ...
  A: Yes, smoking one is the best test. As for determining cigar length, the filler tobacco is first ...
Humidor, humidity way too high!5/18/2010
  Q: I have recently got a humidor and seasoned it fine it was sitting at a decent rate (70 % humidity). ...
  A: You don't need to add PG to the crystals... just use distilled water. Adding more crystals should ...
Humidor, humidity way too high!5/18/2010
  Q: I have recently got a humidor and seasoned it fine it was sitting at a decent rate (70 % humidity). ...
  A: Your acryl polymer beads should generate 70% humidity on their own so it may not be necessary to use ...
Cohiba Genios5/18/2010
  Q: I recently purchased a box of Cohiba Genios in Canada from a retailer that is listed on the official ...
  A: That does sound suspicious. Have you contacted the retailer and/or Havana House about this? If ...
Propylene Glycol solutions for humidity5/17/2010
  Q: I have been using Propylene Glycol crystals and a Propylene Glycol solution for humidifiers. ...
  A: Yes, though Propylene Glycol has a low evaporation rate and it's vapor is heavier than air, it does ...
black spots on cigar5/16/2010
  Q: i've been keeping <20 cigars in 2 habanos humidity pouches (holds 10 each) for about 2 months now ...
  A: Don't worry, that is not cigar mold. These black spots are a natural occurence as cigars age. They ...
Cubans at Niagara Falls5/15/2010
  Q: Is there any place in Niagara Falls (Canadian side) where we can buy genuine Cuban cigars? My budget ...
  A: $20-$40 won't be enough to buy a box of Cuban but you can always pick up a few singles for that ...
Reviving dry cigars5/15/2010
  Q: I have about 15 cigars that got dry because my humidifier broke. They sat in the dry humidor for ...
  A: Dry cigars can indeed be restored but as other people have mentioned, the cigars may not taste the ...
Digital Hygrometers5/6/2010
  Q: my wife got me a humidor for our anniversary. Anyway I was using the analog Hygrometer that it came ...
  A: What you can do is purchase a "seasoning brick" at your local cigar store and this will ...
Glue5/6/2010
  Q: I've just received my humidor, I'm pretty happy with the purchase but one of the inside bracket that ...
  A: First, the Western Caliber 3 has a slow response reading so you should let both hygrometers sit in ...
Digital Hygrometers5/3/2010
  Q: my wife got me a humidor for our anniversary. Anyway I was using the analog Hygrometer that it came ...
  A: 65-68% is reasonable and your humidity will stabilize at 68-70% over time. If your humidification ...
Glue5/3/2010
  Q: I've just received my humidor, I'm pretty happy with the purchase but one of the inside bracket that ...
  A: The best glue to use in a humidor is Titebond II Premium Woodworking glue. It's water resistant, ...
Digital Hygrometers4/30/2010
  Q: my wife got me a humidor for our anniversary. Anyway I was using the analog Hygrometer that it came ...
  A: It sounds like your hygrometer could be defective. If you have an extra thermometer (preferably a ...
Cigars4/27/2010
  Q: I purchased 4 boxes of Cohiba Cigars in Cuba. I purchased it in La Casa del Habana Club and paid ...
  A: If you purchased your cigars at a La Casa del Habano shop, you have nothing to worry about. La Casa ...
Humidor question4/26/2010
  Q: I am a new cigar smoker who just bought his first humidor. As I began seasoning I carelessly used ...
  A: Because your humidor was exposed to tap water for only a few short minutes, your humidor is not in ...
PG Solution4/26/2010
  Q: I'm back with more questions, the dry Sellecion Pyramides has really bugged me. I'm worried that I ...
  A: Western is a very reputable brand so you shouldn't worry about poor performance as their humidors ...
time and ring gauge4/25/2010
  Q: Does a cigar smoke faster with a smaller ring gauge? For example, I prefer a 6x60 size cigar, but ...
  A: Yes, a thinner ring gauge will cause a cigar to burn faster than a cigar that is the exact same ...
Cigars to buy4/23/2010
  Q: I am a beginner in smoking cigar. A friend of mine will be travelling to the US in July, and I am ...
  A: Here are some excellent non-Cuban cigars that are not too expensive and definitely worth trying: ...
Humidification devices4/22/2010
  Q: I have a large in wall humidor (5'w x 6'h x 2'd). It usually has about 1200-1500 cigars in it at ...
  A: I would recommend the Hydra (www.hydrahumidifier.com) or Vigilant humidifiers ...
Cohiba4/19/2010
  Q: In determining the authenticity of Cohiba cigars. Are the Esplendidos rationed to the stores because ...
  A: Neither the Cohiba Esplendido or Montecristo #2 are in limited production so you should be able to ...
Mould?4/17/2010
  Q: Plume? Mould? Wipes off pretty easily.. Your call my friend!! ...
  A: It's always best to crack your boxes to inspect and aerate them periodically. For tightly sealed ...
Mould?4/17/2010
  Q: Plume? Mould? Wipes off pretty easily.. Your call my friend!!
  A: That could be mold in its earliest stage. Mold appears in random patches and spots while plume ...
Humidor Construction4/16/2010
  Q: I am in the process of designing a humidor for a tobacco retailer that will measure 25'x55'. Can you ...
  A: Here are some tips for building a walk-in humidor: Walls: The walls should be covered with 100% ...
My new humidor.4/14/2010
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor from the imperfect line, it basically has a very minor problem ...
  A: Yes, the interior panels should stay snug as long as you maintain the humidifier device regularly so ...
My new humidor.4/14/2010
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor from the imperfect line, it basically has a very minor problem ...
  A: The interior wood panels in a humidor are meant to be interlocking and loose fit. Humidors are ...
Aging Different Cigar Brands4/10/2010
  Q: Do aging different cigar brands in the same humidor have any affect on the individual cigars? ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to keep different cigars in the same humidor when aging. If you have many ...
to much humidity4/9/2010
  Q: I am all new into the cigar and humidor world. I purchased a vinotemp 12 bottle wine cooler. I ...
  A: You're correct. Cigar Oasis units has a sensor that monitors the humidity. When the humidity ...
to much humidity4/8/2010
  Q: I am all new into the cigar and humidor world. I purchased a vinotemp 12 bottle wine cooler. I ...
  A: The first thing you should do is salt test your hygrometer. Sometimes a hygrometer can be defective ...
Humidor problems4/7/2010
  Q: AalSir, I bought a humidor from a friend that I got at a great price. Seems to have a great seal as ...
  A: The first thing you should do is salt test your hygrometer for accuracy. Sometimes a hygrometer may ...
Dry Cigars & RH Level4/2/2010
  Q: I'm back with more questions, the dry Sellecion Pyramides has really bugged me. I'm worried that I ...
  A: As I mentioned, your humidity level will fluctuate after adding the PG so you should wait a week to ...
Dry Cigars & RH Level3/30/2010
  Q: I'm back with more questions, the dry Sellecion Pyramides has really bugged me. I'm worried that I ...
  A: To lower the humidity output in your humidor, you can use either an electronic humidifier that ...
Cigar Oasis Plastic Smell3/30/2010
  Q: Low and behold i have another problem! I purchased my new humidor and everything seemed okay, just ...
  A: Your electronic humidifier can have a light plastic smell if it's brand new but it shouldn't smell ...
humidor3/28/2010
  Q: I got my cigars and I bought a good but little older(second hand)humidor.I prepared it with the ...
  A: You should monitor the humidity level first. If the humidor creates 70% humidity (67-74% is ...
2008 limited edition made in 2009?!3/26/2010
  Q: I just bought a box of Montecristo 2008 limited edition cigar, which has a very high rating (or I ...
  A: OK, that is the older warranty seal. In 2009, Habanos began using a new warranty seal that has a ...
2008 limited edition made in 2009?!3/26/2010
  Q: I just bought a box of Montecristo 2008 limited edition cigar, which has a very high rating (or I ...
  A: Because the box was manufactured in January 2009, it could be one of the last Montecristo 2008 ...
Humidor / Humi-Care XG10003/22/2010
  Q: I bought a tower humidor with a Humi-Care XG1000. Where is the best place to put the Humi-Care ...
  A: It's best to place an electronic humidifier at the base of your humidor. To ensure maximum ...
Circulating fans3/22/2010
  Q: I have a humidor that is 19"w x 12"d x 12"h. It has 2 shelves with lots of slots cut out for ...
  A: Your placement of the fans (one pointing up, one pointing down) sounds fine. The biggest concern I ...
Cigars get hard on one side3/21/2010
  Q: I am finding that my cigars get hard on the bottom side after they have been in my humidor for a few ...
  A: What you should do is rotate your cigars in your humidor more frequently. When rotating cigars, ...
Humidor Question #23/21/2010
  Q: My other humidor-related question regards the bottom cedar inner lining. There is a gap in one of ...
  A: This is perfectly fine. Because the cedar will slightly swell and contract with humidity, the ...
Humidor Question3/21/2010
  Q: I have a couple of humidor-related questions. I have a humidor with a capacity of about 50-60 ...
  A: This shouldn't be a problem at all. I've seen many humidors that do not have a cedar lined lid and ...
Tobacco Beetles3/21/2010
  Q: James, After opening my humidor for a smoke I noticed a cigar with a hole in it. Upon further exam ...
  A: Placing your cigars in the refrigerator after freezing them is optional. Some people recommend this ...
Cigars in Cancun?3/18/2010
  Q: Greetings James, I am traveling to Cancun, Mexico, and I am looking to buy some non-Cuban quality ...
  A: There are plenty of non-Cuban cigar shops in Cancun. Here are two good shops in Cancun: Cancun ...
wine fridge/humidor3/16/2010
  Q: I just got a thermal electric 18 bottle wine fridge and added one and a half pounds of heartfelt ...
  A: It sounds like there's a humidity leak somewhere inside your wine fridge and when the fridge is ...
Hpow long is a sealed box of Cubans ok3/16/2010
  Q: I received a box of Montecristo No 2. It is still sealed with all the valid stamps and holograms. ...
  A: It's best to put the cigars in your humidor immediately. A box of properly humidified cigars can ...
Fonseca Cosaco3/16/2010
  Q: As you know? I am one of the experts on this site but I want to know more about the Fonseca Cosaco. ...
  A: The Fonseca Cosaco (and the Fonseca brand itself) is one of the milder Cuban cigars available (it ...
cigars3/14/2010
  Q: My wifw just came back from cuba and she brought me some cigars, I do not have a humidor, so I was ...
  A: I would not recommend putting your cigars in the freezer. Freezing your cigars will cause them to ...
Cuban cigar3/13/2010
  Q: My friend going to Varadero.I like Cuban cigar,but I am not ready to pay to much.I ask her to bay ...
  A: Yes, you can definitely find those cigars in Varadero. Your friend should should easily find these ...
Loose draw issues3/11/2010
  Q: I received a box of 25 Cohiba Robusto as a gift from a friend. Of course it is a nice one. However ...
  A: Loose draw cigars are usually caused by the cigars being extremely dry. When a cigar is very dry, ...
Humidor issue3/11/2010
  Q: I had an uncovered bowl of water in my box to help regulate the issues I was having to keep my ...
  A: If the base or front panel of your humidor's Spanish cedar is extremely wet to the touch, press a ...
Dry Cigars3/11/2010
  Q: Let me start off by saying, I'm a beginner in this cigar world although i've been smoking for ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to store your entire Seleccion Piramides box inside your humidor. If you are ...
Cuban alternatives3/7/2010
  Q: Quick question for you: Can you make a few recommendations of non-Cuban labels that are worth a ...
  A: Here are some excellent non-Cuban brands and cigars that I recommend: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos ...
Daniel Marshall Cigars3/5/2010
  Q: I recently found that our great Gov. of California smokes Daniel Marshall Cigars, I did some ...
  A: Unfortunately, I've been told by a few US cigar retailers that Daniel Marshall cigars are now ...
Romeo Y Julieta Cigars3/3/2010
  Q: My husband has had for 5 YEARS a box of Romeo Y Julieta Cigars in his office. He forgot it!!! Box ...
  A: Those are regular production Romeo y Julieta Churchill cigars. The flecks of tobacco is very common ...
calibrating a new digital hygrometer3/3/2010
  Q: how do u do a salt test so u can calibarate a new digital hygrometer.... thanks...
  A: First, some digital hygrometers do not require calibration. Most digital hygrometers are factory ...
PG spilled in humidor3/1/2010
  Q: PG spilled on the inside of my humidor on the ceder. Can I put cigars on it? ANSWER: Hi Tony, It ...
  A: You don't need to let it sit overnight. Just moisten that spot with the paper towel/cloth and some ...
PG spilled in humidor2/28/2010
  Q: PG spilled on the inside of my humidor on the ceder. Can I put cigars on it?
  A: It shouldn't be a problem and it should be safe to continue using your humidor. If the PG is ...
Humidor trouble2/27/2010
  Q: It's been a while... Recently it has come to my attention that my humidor is either leaking ...
  A: It sounds like your humidor has dried out and your humidifier is being obstructed by something. ...
Sealed or Opened??2/27/2010
  Q: James, Thanks again for answering my question regarding my D4's. I can't wait to bust into them, ...
  A: This is a tough question... I would personally choose to have a box opened and inspected before it ...
Propylene Glycol causing chemical taste!!HELP!!2/27/2010
  Q: I have a 50 ct humidor that was holding a perfect 70% but need to get a larger humidor for ...
  A: If you remove the PG from your humidor, the chemical taste in your cigars will slowly dissipate over ...
Cubans vs. the rest2/26/2010
  Q: hope you are doing well. I have a strange one here. Recently, I was in Cuba on vacation. While ...
  A: I would say that your palate (and mind) is still stuck on Cuban cigars at the moment. This is a ...
Water and Non-Cuban Recommendation2/25/2010
  Q: Let me start off by saying, I'm a beginner in this cigar world although i've been smoking for ...
  A: It's not necessary to use reverse osmosis water. Using 100% distilled water in your humidor is ...
Temperature for Humidor2/25/2010
  Q: Let me start off by saying, I'm a beginner in this cigar world although i've been smoking for ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1. Generic, "no-name" humidors are generally mass-produced and lack the ...
Cigar cleaning2/25/2010
  Q: Well, I just purchased a large humidor. In the process of moving it, we got the inside of the glass ...
  A: You can use Windex but you must make sure that you don't get any of it on the humidor interior wood. ...
quality of cigars2/21/2010
  Q: I have had noticiable different eperiences in smoking identical brands from different distributors. ...
  A: There could be many reasons why cigars of the same brand and size can vary from box to box. The ...
Moldy Cigars2/21/2010
  Q: I just returned from Varadero Cuba. I legally bought a box of 25 Monte Cristo Cigars from the ...
  A: Cigar mold is like mold that you would find on spoiled food; it's fuzzy in texture and grows quickly ...
Moldy Cigars2/20/2010
  Q: I just returned from Varadero Cuba. I legally bought a box of 25 Monte Cristo Cigars from the ...
  A: Unfortunately, there is no way of getting replacement cigars in Canada. If the retailer in Varadero ...
humidors2/19/2010
  Q: I am fairly new to the cigar world , rather new to quality cigars and have just returned from Cuba ...
  A: Adorini is an excellent brand, as are Prometheus, Elie Bleu, Daniel Marshall, Diamond Crown, ...
humidors2/19/2010
  Q: I am fairly new to the cigar world , rather new to quality cigars and have just returned from Cuba ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is store your cigars more properly. What I suggest is that you keep ...
Partagas Serie D No. 4 Box2/17/2010
  Q: I recently purchased a box of D No. 4 from an online source in Switzerland. I requested that the ...
  A: According to Habanos SA's online authenticity check, your box of cigars is genuine. You can check ...
where to get lights for cabinet Humidor2/15/2010
  Q: I have a Cabinet Humidor. 16.5 cubic ft. are LED lights the best to use and where /how can I find ...
  A: LED lights are the best to use in a humidor because they burn much cooler and cheaper than ...
Joe Dill of Richmond2/14/2010
  Q: I saw your post about Joseph Gorgas Dill and thought I'd let you know he died 7 Sep 1886. I'll be ...
  A: I'm adding this info to my question archive in case readers are looking for more info about your ...
Cigar aroma2/11/2010
  Q: Hope all is well. I have a quick one here regarding cigars and their aroma. I just got back from ...
  A: Storing your boxes with the lids closed will definitely retain much of the cigars' natural aroma. ...
Humidifiers2/9/2010
  Q: James, I have asked many of my "expert" friends as well as some professionals this question and have ...
  A: An electronic humidifier for a 125-count humidifier is not overkill. I know many people that use ...
Cigar Mold2/9/2010
  Q: James, I have a further question to the one asked about cigar mold. The mold in my humidor is not ...
  A: If mold has reached the foam element of your humidification device, it's best to replace it rather ...
Reas cigars2/6/2010
  Q: While on a fishing trip in Ontario, I bought some Reas cigars and thoroughly enjoyed them. I live in ...
  A: What you can try is contact your local tobacconist and see if they can stock Rea cigars. If that ...
Cohiba Edicion Limitada 20082/5/2010
  Q: Hey- Is there such thing as a Cohiba Edicion Limitada 2008? I picked one up the other day that said ...
  A: Unfortunately, Cohiba did NOT release any 2008 Edicion Limitada cigars. The Cohiba 2008 Edicion ...
Hoyo de Monterey Petit Robusto Box2/2/2010
  Q: Yee, I recently received a box of 25 Hoyo de Monterey Petit Robustos from an overseas online ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to smoke cigars if they're less than a year old. Young cigars however, will ...
Cigar Pairings2/1/2010
  Q: I'm working on an article about Cigars, and I was wondering if I might get some help from you. I am ...
  A: A glass of ice water has always been the perfect compliment to any cigar; especially for novice ...
Lighting a cigar with a match or butan lighter1/30/2010
  Q: I recently started lighting the cigar with a match i found the taste much better or actually more ...
  A: Lighting a cigar with a butane lighter can indeed make the cigar burn hotter at the beginning and ...
Dealer list1/29/2010
  Q: To avoid all the speculation about whether or not deasers such as Cuban Lous, Top Tubans or Puro ...
  A: I'm not sure if Habanos SA has an official watchdog list... you may want to contact them directly ...
Cigars out of Humidor1/28/2010
  Q: I started getting into cigars 3 years ago and bought a few sampler packs and one came with a box. I ...
  A: Dried out cigars - even cigars that have been dried out for years - can indeed be saved simply by ...
Cohiba Double Corona Edicion limitada1/26/2010
  Q: Sir, Is there such a Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2008. I see the 2003 out there but have ...
  A: Depending on the regional distributor, Cohiba boxes may be shrink-wrapped in plastic. For slide lid ...
new cigars1/26/2010
  Q: I brought some RYJ about 3 months ago, the box stamp when they where produced where Jul 07, i set up ...
  A: It's hard to say what could be the cause of your cigars tasting harsh. If your humidor is properly ...
What do they cost in Cuba1/25/2010
  Q: I see some high priced Cuban Cigars but do Cubans pay that much in Cuba for them? Like the Cohiba ...
  A: In Cuba, cigars prices are generally much lower than what you would pay in other countries. Much of ...
Cohiba Double Corona Edicion limitada1/25/2010
  Q: Sir, Is there such a Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2008. I see the 2003 out there but have ...
  A: Unfortunately, Cohiba does not have a 2008 Edicion Limitada Double Corona. The Cohiba Edicion ...
Am I Going Up in Smoke1/22/2010
  Q: I have been smoking cigars regularly for approximately 15 years. Recently, and for the first time ...
  A: It's really hard to pinpoint what the exact cause of "smoker's stress" is but I would say that you ...
cigar rejuvenation1/21/2010
  Q: I have acquired a box of Habana cigars that are very dry. Firstly, where do Habana cigars rate in ...
  A: The Cuban brand name of your cigars is "H. Upmann" and it is one of the seven major "global brands" ...
Humidor lining1/21/2010
  Q: We recently designed a walk in humidor for a small market. In the original design we specified ...
  A: Spanish cedar is actually very important for cigars. The aroma will compliment and enhance the ...
Romeo Y Julieta1/21/2010
  Q: Hey James, Just purchased a box of Romeo Y Julieta Cigars. Got them from a friend of a friend. ...
  A: I don't think these cigars are genuine. The correct spelling on a genuine box is indeed ...
CigarKing1/20/2010
  Q: I say a link to Cigar King people on your website. I gave them a call to enquire about their prices ...
  A: CigarKing is actually a sponsored website that advertises on Allexperts. I've never dealt with them ...
cigar rejuvenation1/18/2010
  Q: I have acquired a box of Habana cigars that are very dry. Firstly, where do Habana cigars rate in ...
  A: Certain Cuban (Habana) cigars are some of the best cigars in the world (in terms of both quality and ...
Lag time1/18/2010
  Q: I have been a casual cigar smoker for a few years now. I've never owned cigars, just smoked them ...
  A: You can add a sponge but because your cigars will be without your humidor for only a few days, it's ...
Lag time1/18/2010
  Q: I have been a casual cigar smoker for a few years now. I've never owned cigars, just smoked them ...
  A: Until you receive and season your humidor, what you can do is keep your cigars in a clean (and ...
Maintaing proper temperature1/17/2010
  Q: There are many answers online about how to maintain humidity but nothing about maintaing proper ...
  A: To lower the temperature in your humidor, you should first try to move your humidor to the coolest ...
Macanudo, Crystal Cafe1/16/2010
  Q: I have 5 of the 8 left in the box. they were a gift several years ago. If the tubes are still ...
  A: Don't worry, if your Macanudo cigars are still sealed in their original tubes, the cigars are still ...
Punch cutter question1/14/2010
  Q: I recently bought a xikar punch cutter recently. I was just trying something new, and also got ...
  A: As you push the cigar punch into the head of the cigar, twist the punch as you push in. When you ...
Punch cutter question1/13/2010
  Q: I recently bought a xikar punch cutter recently. I was just trying something new, and also got ...
  A: A cigar punch will usually remove the cigar cap plus some of the filler tobacco. On average, a ...
Improperly Alligned Logo on Cigar Box1/12/2010
  Q: I just got a box of Romeo & Julieta Churchill Shorts from a supplier of Cuban cigars I have used ...
  A: It's hard to say without visually inspecting the box. It could be a production error where the ...
Which Cigar to Pick1/12/2010
  Q: I’m at sort of a loss as to which cigar to buy first. I never smoked anything before but the other ...
  A: For beginners, it's always best to start out with mild-to-medium bodied cigars as they're less ...
Canary Island cigars1/11/2010
  Q: You always gave me great advice in the past, so I am back again. I am travelling to Gran Canaria on ...
  A: Goya, Condal and Penamil are three of the Canary Island's flagship cigar brands. At one point, the ...
help1/10/2010
  Q: i just purchases a new humidor for the first time read the directions it said to use distilled ...
  A: It is better to use distilled water instead of boiled tap/bottled water. Boiled water will not ...
low humidity in humidor1/10/2010
  Q: My humidor has dropped from 70% down as low as 59% i have a oz gel container in that is charged with ...
  A: In winter, the dry heat in our homes can cause the humidity level in our humidors to deplete faster. ...
Question about relative humidity and temperature1/6/2010
  Q: Reading your previous posts, I know that relative humidity has nothing to do with temperature, and ...
  A: Humidor humidity can indeed by affected by the environment temperature. During summer months, the ...
Montecristo Open1/5/2010
  Q: can you tell me anything about this new cuban? Thank you
  A: Montecristo Open is the newest line of Montecristo cigars. It was released last year (July 2009) ...
monte cristo cigars1/5/2010
  Q: A while ago i met a guy who told me he gets a lot of cuban cigars and he would allow me to purchase ...
  A: The real Montecristo "Maravillas", which is the 70th Anniversary "double robusto", was only limited ...
Humidor question12/31/2009
  Q: I have reduced my cigar smoking over the years and I have noticed a white powder like residue on ...
  A: If the white substance is thick and fuzzy in appearance and forms in random patches, it is mold. ...
my humidification device12/31/2009
  Q: I just got a cigar oasis ultra for christmas for my humidor. I live in arizona and I set it for 70% ...
  A: Don't worry, a humidor temperature of 72 degrees will not affect your humidor environment or ...
How do you tell if a Cuban cigar is real?12/31/2009
  Q: I'm very interested about Cuban cigars and I'm wanting to know how to tell a artificial from a ...
  A: The majority of counterfeit Cuban cigars can easily be spotted by the poor cigar construction, ...
cigar storage12/28/2009
  Q: Hallo James, I have heard on occasion that some afecionados leave their cigars in their original ...
  A: Merry Christmas! Whether or not you should remove the plastic wrappers, cigar tubes or box ...
humidor12/19/2009
  Q: Mr. Yee, I have a big cabinet humidor in my cigar room, inside the tank where the distilled water ...
  A: The white substance is most likely mold which is caused by bacteria contamination. You will need to ...
Re: Cohiba Esplendido's Pricing12/15/2009
  Q: My friend recently bought a box of Cohiba Esplendidos in Havana for about $450 cuc. He crossed them ...
  A: On average, a box of genuine Cohiba Esplendidos will sell for about $500-$600 USD. Supply and ...
humidification12/15/2009
  Q: Can I store pipe tobacco together with my cigars in my humidor? I would purchase the book you have ...
  A: Because pipe tobacco can be very aromatic, it's best that you do not store it in your humidor. ...
Adorini Humidor / Book12/12/2009
  Q: I have just purchased the black, pyramid Adorini humidor, which arrived with little instructions and ...
  A: Because the hygrometer is installed into the facade of the humidor, it may not be removable. ...
going into business12/11/2009
  Q: I am planning a small cigar bar business. Any suggestions?? I already own the bar and have a ...
  A: Here are a few suggestions for your cigar bar: - When stocking cigars at your cigar bar, be sure to ...
another cold weather & humidity question12/8/2009
  Q: I've read some answers from Bill and James about relative humidity as rooms become cooler in winter. ...
  A: Yes, the salt mixture will remain at 75% in colder temperatures. Also, be sure to add only a tiny ...
Humi-care EH plus12/7/2009
  Q: I have had a humi-care EH plus in my cabinet humidor for about 4 months. Lately it keeps turning ...
  A: It sounds like the unit is overheating (or the electrical components is defective) and automatically ...
Walk in humidor12/7/2009
  Q: Hope you are doing well these days! I have decided to build myself a walk in humidor. I have but 1 ...
  A: It's best to install a large plastic vapor barrier that separates the cedar from the drywall. The ...
another cold weather & humidity question12/7/2009
  Q: I've read some answers from Bill and James about relative humidity as rooms become cooler in winter. ...
  A: Regardless of too hot or too cold temperatures, the humidity level in a humidor should be ...
holding cigars12/3/2009
  Q: Sometimes I run out of reasonable humidor space, like now, and Christmas specials are everywhere. I ...
  A: If the package is properly sealed and airtight, your cigars will last for about 3-4 weeks. Your ...
the cohiba gran reserva12/3/2009
  Q: Yee, Have you had occasion to try the new Cohiba Gran Reserva yet? Can that $120 per stick price ...
  A: The entire Cohiba Siglo line (Siglo I, II, III, etc.) is fantastic and less expensive than the Gran ...
the cohiba gran reserva12/1/2009
  Q: Yee, Have you had occasion to try the new Cohiba Gran Reserva yet? Can that $120 per stick price ...
  A: As fantastic as Cohiba cigars are, I still don't think that the Gran Reserva is worth $120. The ...
Just bought a small humidor, now what?11/30/2009
  Q: I have been smoking cigars for a few years now but just got around to buying a humidor. I bought a ...
  A: Congratulations on your new humidor! Before using it, the first thing you should do is make sure ...
cigars11/28/2009
  Q: Mr. Yee, I recently (and accidently) smoked about one and a half cigars (in one night) that I knew ...
  A: If the green spots on the cigar did not rub off, it most likely wasn't mold but instead, was natural ...
humidifiers11/28/2009
  Q: i am looking for a good humidifier for a cabinet that holds 3000 cigars i believe its 16 cubic feet ...
  A: The Humicare XG-1000 is a good humidifier so you shouldn't worry. You just need to make sure that ...
Real vs. Fake11/27/2009
  Q: I have a friend visiting family over the holidays and asked if I would like some Cubans, without ...
  A: There's actually two different non-Cuban versions of Cohiba. The premium and most well-known ...
Real vs. Fake11/26/2009
  Q: I have a friend visiting family over the holidays and asked if I would like some Cubans, without ...
  A: Cuban cigar prices will vary from country to country but they are generally more expensive than most ...
Failed Cohiba Authentication?11/25/2009
  Q: James, Thanks for taking my question again. My very first online Cuban cigar purchase was from a ...
  A: The serial number on the Havana House sticker will not work with Habanos SA's authenticity check. ...
Cold environment11/24/2009
  Q: My humidor is in my office. At night there is no heat on so the temp can be 60 F. how do I maintain ...
  A: Actually 50/50 humidor solution works well with sponge-based humidification units ONLY if the ...
Humidore11/23/2009
  Q: When preparing my humidor, they say distilled water is what I should use... Is that the case with ...
  A: Yes, you should always use distilled water or "bidest water" (double-distilled water) in your ...
Cold environment11/23/2009
  Q: My humidor is in my office. At night there is no heat on so the temp can be 60 F. how do I maintain ...
  A: The easiest method to regulate humidity is to use an electronic humidification device that allows ...
Humidifer Questions11/23/2009
  Q: I have been smoking cigars, enjoyably, for the past four years. I've purchased a couple of box ...
  A: First, "seasoning" is the process of preparing your humidor's interior so that it can absorb and ...
Cohiba Maduros11/19/2009
  Q: I have aquired a few Geinos from a friend's boss who brought back a box,(not sure from where, ...
  A: If I recall correctly, the Maduro 5 band is one piece. However, I'm not sure if Habanos recently ...
Warranty Seals for Cuban Cigars11/18/2009
  Q: Mr. Yee, I received a box of putative Partagas 898 cigars (that look and taste fine - I've smoked ...
  A: First, the Habanos chevron sticker does exist with and without the fine black lines. The version ...
fresh11/18/2009
  Q: hi i just bought a cigar shop and was wondering if you can give me some advice on keeping up with my ...
  A: The most important task to operating a cigar shop is to make sure the thermostat and humidification ...
harmful?11/17/2009
  Q: I recently quit smoking cigarettes thougt about smoking cigars not any fancy ones just like black ...
  A: It's hard to say because everybody reacts differently to cigars. Most people that do not inhale ...
harmful?11/17/2009
  Q: I recently quit smoking cigarettes thougt about smoking cigars not any fancy ones just like black ...
  A: Cigars do contain nicotine but if you don't inhale the cigar smoke, they are not as harmful as ...
Good Cuban Recommendations11/14/2009
  Q: It seems that the Cohibas, Montecristos, and to a lesser degree the Romeo y Julietas and the ...
  A: It's true, Cohiba and Montecristo are the two most counterfeited Cuban cigar brands in the world ...
Disinfecting humidification device11/14/2009
  Q: I'm treating my humidor and cigar against a major mold infestation and I was wondering if I should ...
  A: I would say it's better to just replace the humdification device. These sponge-based humidification ...
Placement of cigars and humidifier in humidor11/12/2009
  Q: Love your work. Thanks so much. I wanted to ask you about placement of the humidifier and the ...
  A: The placement of your humidification devices in your humidor can be anywhere as long as they are not ...
Cohiba Double Corona11/4/2009
  Q: Is there a cuba Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2007 with a Box PUC JUL 09
  A: Unfortunately, no. There is NO Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada cigar for 2007. The only ...
HELP!!! MY CIGARS ARE STARTING TO TASTE LIKE AMMONIA AND PLASTIC.11/4/2009
  Q: I recently built a Coolidor. Of course I waited until the plastic smell was gone before starting to ...
  A: Your cigars will most likely lose their plastic smell/taste but it will definitely take some time. ...
HELP!!! MY CIGARS ARE STARTING TO TASTE LIKE AMMONIA AND PLASTIC.11/3/2009
  Q: I recently built a Coolidor. Of course I waited until the plastic smell was gone before starting to ...
  A: Does your coolerdor have Spanish cedar? If not, you should line your entire humidor interior with ...
Cellophane Wrappers11/3/2009
  Q: I just received a bunch of cigars as a gift and each one comes in a thin cellophane / plastic ...
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
Seconds?11/1/2009
  Q: Each online cigar retailer's site is wrought with specials and deals of all kinds. I am curious ...
  A: "Factory Second" cigars can be a great deal and are definitely worth trying. As you mentioned, many ...
new cigars10/31/2009
  Q: I was given some esplendidos are were date aug 08 and I left them in the humidor 70-71 humidity for ...
  A: It's hard to explain why your cigars taste the way they do. I would let your cigars age a bit ...
Yellowish film on Adorini humidifier unit10/31/2009
  Q: I recently bought an Adorini Torino Deluxe Humidor. I followed all the humidor preparation and ...
  A: I believe this yellow residue is caused by the shutter originally being closed and that you are ...
Bolivar10/30/2009
  Q: can you tell me what you thing of the Bolivar cigars? I know that the Belicos Fino is very good, ...
  A: Bolivar is an excellent cigar brand. It's a medium-to-full bodied cigar and the cigars age ...
Bad Cubans10/29/2009
  Q: I bought a couple of Diplomaticos N° 2 from a cigar store (NOT a LCDH), they seem perfectly fine and ...
  A: It's hard to say... with premium, handrolled cigars, it's not uncommon to occasionally receive a bad ...
Mold on cigars and humidor10/29/2009
  Q: I read your response on treating a mold infested humidor with alcohol, I'm wondering if there is an ...
  A: Using isopropyl alcohol is really the only effective method for killing mold. Mold can be quite ...
Don Tomas Clasico10/27/2009
  Q: A friend of mine recommended Don Tomas Clasico - but another friend claimed that it was a bit ...
  A: Don Tomas cigars are very good but Padron cigars are better quality and much better in terms of ...
Humidor room interior10/27/2009
  Q: I have been handed the task of building this room from a previous associate and need to clarify a ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to use any type of waterbase sealer for the doors and cabinets. However, the ...
Cigar ingredients10/27/2009
  Q: I wanted to start smoking cigars i would like to start with cohibas, monte cristos, romeo y julieta. ...
  A: What I suggest is that you try a small cigar first and if you begin to show signs of an allergic ...
Lighting a cigar10/25/2009
  Q: Hey James, I bought a couple of Padrons, Fuentes, CAOs and etc.. a few days ago at my local cigar ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to use lumberyard cedar to light your matches as long as the cedar is untreated ...
Nicaraguan/Honduran Cigars10/23/2009
  Q: I am new to cigar. I understand that Nicaraguan/Honduran cigars are of a cheaper range compared to ...
  A: Yes, Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars are generally less expensive than Cuban cigars. Here are some ...
cigars in original box10/22/2009
  Q: Would like to know.How long do cuban cigars keep, in the original store bought un-opened box wrapped ...
  A: A box of premium cigars can last approximately 2 weeks if it is not properly stored in a humidor or ...
cigar freshness10/21/2009
  Q: 10 years tops, and i just found some of them and they were in a thick zipper bag and they were all ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is clean the interior of the humidor. Use a vacuum cleaner with a ...
Factory codes10/20/2009
  Q: I just got my box of Romeo y Julieta sport Largos and the box codes reads: LSM ENE 08. I know ENE 08 ...
  A: Absolutely. It's perfectly fine to store Cuban cigars along with non-Cuban cigars in the same ...
Factory codes10/20/2009
  Q: I just got my box of Romeo y Julieta sport Largos and the box codes reads: LSM ENE 08. I know ENE 08 ...
  A: The factory that produced these cigars is most likely the RyJ factory. Habanos changes their ...
cigar freshness10/19/2009
  Q: 10 years tops, and i just found some of them and they were in a thick zipper bag and they were all ...
  A: Tobacco beetles leave behind a fine, dark powdery substance which is the remains of chewed up ...
Beetle holes in cigars10/19/2009
  Q: I had a little outbreak in one of my humidors as I found beetle holes in 3 of the Cigars. I did what ...
  A: Tobacco beetles will leave behind a very fine dark powder which is made up of chewed up tobacco and ...
how to store cigars for3 months10/19/2009
  Q: I purchased Montecristo#4 cigars for my son for Christmas, I also bought a Montecristo cigar box, ...
  A: Just to be safe, you should keep the Boveda pack to the side of the cigars just so that it does not ...
dropping humidity in humidor10/19/2009
  Q: I've noticed the humidity in my humidor has been dropping steadily in the past week or so. I am not ...
  A: Yes, it's not uncommon for our humidors to dissipate humidity more quickly during colder months. ...
cigar freshness10/19/2009
  Q: 10 years tops, and i just found some of them and they were in a thick zipper bag and they were all ...
  A: Besides a humidor and humi-pouch, you can also rehydrate your cigars with a clean Tupperware ...
cigar freshness10/18/2009
  Q: 10 years tops, and i just found some of them and they were in a thick zipper bag and they were all ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is inspect the cigars for any signs of mold or tobacco beetle holes. ...
how to store cigars for3 months10/18/2009
  Q: I purchased Montecristo#4 cigars for my son for Christmas, I also bought a Montecristo cigar box, ...
  A: What I suggest is that you store the cigars separately from the Montecristo box until Christmas. ...
robusto's10/15/2009
  Q: i have recently acquired a taste for the finer cigar, one favorite is the Cohiba robusto. a little ...
  A: With premium handrolled cigars (this includes both Cuban and Non-Cuban cigars), the draw is mainly ...
JLP10/14/2009
  Q: what do you know about Jose L Piedra? I just tried one and I think that was VERY nice for the ...
  A: Piedra cigars have been around for many years. It's one of the oldest Cuban cigar brands (circa ...
Acryl Polymer Humidifier10/11/2009
  Q: I have recently bought a humidor which came with acryl polymer crystals, (not beads). Can you ...
  A: Yes, you can use the housing for your humidification device. The housing may not be large enough to ...
Acryl Polymer Humidifier10/11/2009
  Q: I have recently bought a humidor which came with acryl polymer crystals, (not beads). Can you ...
  A: Your humidor crystals should include a jar or container that has perforated holes on the lid; like a ...
contrrol10/10/2009
  Q: I just got a shipment of cigars and loaded up my humidor and can not get it below 75%rh i have a ...
  A: The first thing you should do is remove the cup of distilled water as that could be why your ...
contrrol10/10/2009
  Q: I just got a shipment of cigars and loaded up my humidor and can not get it below 75%rh i have a ...
  A: To lower the humidity in your humidor, you need to add more Propylene Glycol to your humidification ...
ghurka cigars10/9/2009
  Q: i am trying to purchase cigars for my husband as an anniversary gift and the only thing i know about ...
  A: Yes, the HMR is the only Gurkha cigar to use green wax. In regards to the silver wax sealed ...
cigar rotation10/8/2009
  Q: I have recently purchased a humidor and filled it with about a hundred cigars.I have no idea what ...
  A: With large humidors filled with many cigars, humidity may not circulate effectively to cigars that ...
Cigar Mold10/8/2009
  Q: I have a white web like mold comping straight out of my Credo unit into the humidor. It is white ...
  A: To clean your humidor, first remove all your cigars and store them in a plastic Tupperware ...
Barrington House Intl. Jamaican cigars10/8/2009
  Q: I happened to see in one of the cigar mags Barrington House cigar co. that specializes in Jamaican ...
  A: I myself have not tried this brand as I have not seen it in stores yet but as soon as I try one, ...
Match vs. Gas10/8/2009
  Q: When it comes to cigars I switch between match and butane lighter, depending on the surroundings. ...
  A: I love both lighters and matches so for me, this is a tough question to answer. ;) I'm exactly like ...
Cigar Mold10/7/2009
  Q: I have a white web like mold comping straight out of my Credo unit into the humidor. It is white ...
  A: Yes, I would change out your Credo and place your darkened cigars into a separate, humidified ...
bands10/6/2009
  Q: I have a few bands that I would like to put back on the cigars, glue is out of the question, so what ...
  A: It's totally natural for the humidity to slightly drop after you've added a surplus of cigars to ...
A good cigar10/5/2009
  Q: I'm looking for a good cigar, because whenever I go to the store, I come in with an idea of what I ...
  A: For a full-bodied dark cigar, I recommend either a Cohiba XV, Ashton Aged Maduro #10, Hoyo de ...
Vinotemp humidor10/5/2009
  Q: Hey james i was wondering if you had obtained any further info about the vinotemp thermo-eletric ...
  A: I spoke with Laura at Vinotemp early last week and she said that they would send me more info about ...
Bitter taste??10/4/2009
  Q: Nice day to smoke an Ashton VSG Spellbound! Straight cut, started off fantastic! As i neared the ...
  A: The bitter taste is actually from the tar-like residue that naturally builds up at the head of the ...
Toscano10/4/2009
  Q: Do you know if it is possible to find the Italian "Toscano" cigars in Canada, by mail order or ...
  A: I haven't seen this brand in stores lately. You should visit your local cigar store and ask if it's ...
2-Stick (3140) Cigar Caddy10/4/2009
  Q: I just bought a two stick Cigar Caddy yesterday and I was wondering, because the 2-stick humidor ...
  A: No, you don't need to add any humidification device, PG or water to your cigar caddy. The cigar ...
Cigar Storage10/3/2009
  Q: I would like to know if I should remove the cigars (cohiba)from the individual glass/plastic hard ...
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your Cohiba cigars in their original cigar tubes ...
bands10/2/2009
  Q: I have a few bands that I would like to put back on the cigars, glue is out of the question, so what ...
  A: Double-sided tape works best. 3M makes a thin, double-sided scotch tape that is very strong and ...
Recommendations for Cuban Cigars10/2/2009
  Q: James, Long time reader, first time poster. Anyway, a friend of mine will be coming in from ...
  A: There's lots of great, moderately priced Cuban cigars. The key to finding a great Cuban cigar is to ...
cigar storage10/1/2009
  Q: I have a 120ct desktop humi. that i want to keep at a constant temp. I was thinking about getting a ...
  A: Yes, placing humidity beads/crystals in your humidor and wine fridge should work but you'll need to ...
Heat/cold9/30/2009
  Q: Long time! Hope all is well with you. I have recently moved and my new place is rather "colder". I ...
  A: Don't worry, 65-69 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 celcius) is OK for your humidor and your cigars are not ...
Cigars in Cayo Coco9/28/2009
  Q: Wondering if you can give me an help on buying cigars in Cayo Coco. I only like to buy from LCHD ...
  A: Government shops, reputable hotel shops, cigar factories and authorized Habanos retailers (such as ...
Absolute vs Relative humidity9/28/2009
  Q: I have seen in numerous posts on here discussions about how to store cigars. While I find your ...
  A: For decades, the idea of compensating low temperatures with more humidity has been discussed and ...
Upmann № 2 - fake or not9/26/2009
  Q: Couple of days ago I bought 3 Upmann № 2 cigars at my favorite cigar store, cigars look, feel ...
  A: H Upmann No. 2 do in fact come with Band "B" and Band "C" variations. Upmann began packaging the ...
question about a Padron9/26/2009
  Q: I have a question. A few years ago, a good friend of mine came into a cigar bar I worked for at the ...
  A: I'm pretty sure the Padron family has not made another Cuban-based cigar since leaving Cuba in 1961. ...
Cuban Cigar Box Codes9/22/2009
  Q: Lee Just bought a box of Hoyo Epicure #2 - Cabinet Box of 25. Box Code on the bottom of the box is: ...
  A: Komodata, In 2008, Hoyo de Monterrey did add a second band to their Epicure No. 2 so your box ...
tubed cigars in humidor9/21/2009
  Q: I'd like to ask you what is the correct way to keep tubed cigars in my humidor. Some people say just ...
  A: Cigar tubes and plastic cellophane wrappers are not 100% airtight so you can leave them in your ...
Cigars suddenly tasting awful!9/21/2009
  Q: Just letting you know about the strange experience I had yesterday with a couple of the cigars which ...
  A: It sounds like the cigars were over-humidified at some point; if not by your humidor then either by ...
cigar storage9/20/2009
  Q: I have a 120ct desktop humi. that i want to keep at a constant temp. I was thinking about getting a ...
  A: I don't have any reviews for the Vinotemp thermo-electric humidor yet but there are many positive ...
Cuban vs Non Cuban9/18/2009
  Q: I have a kinda tricky one... would you say that a Guantanamera Cristales is beter than a regular ...
  A: Is a Guantanamera Cristales better than a regular non-Cuban cigar? No, not really. Guantanamera ...
Questions9/18/2009
  Q: I am a relatively new cigar smoker and enjoy learning about and trying the many varieties and ...
  A: The following are excellent (and affordable) non-Cuban cigar brands: Arturo Fuente Oliva Padron ...
Padron9/17/2009
  Q: James, what is the difference between the two Padron Aniversary editions? Thanks
  A: The Padron 1964 Anniversario cigars were created to mark Padron cigars' 30th Anniversary in the ...
siglo VI9/17/2009
  Q: I recently was given a box of 10 siglo VI (cuban). The box checks out as legit and so do the bands, ...
  A: The triple cap should be fairly noticeable. You should see three separate lines which indicate the ...
how to turn off the cigar9/17/2009
  Q: i am new in cigar world, and i like to smoke cigar, but most of the times i didnt finish it all, and ...
  A: To save a lit cigar to be smoked later, simply let the cigar sit in the ashtray and it will slowly ...
pairing9/15/2009
  Q: What drink would go well with a Arturo Fuente short story ?
  A: Maker's Mark, Johnnie Walker Black/Green/Blue Label, Glenlivet and Havana Club rum all go well with ...
Cigar Storage9/15/2009
  Q: I have a Xikar 75ct Humidor (using gel beads 50/50 solution and a digital hygrometer)that maintains ...
  A: There are a few tricks you can do to keep your humidor cool. First, use a digital thermometer and ...
Partagas Cuban Cigar9/14/2009
  Q: I recently went to europe, and while I was there I tried finding some good cuban cigars. I ended up ...
  A: Unfortunately, there really isn't any type of non-Cuban cigar that tastes like a Cuban Partagas. ...
mold inside electronic humidifier9/12/2009
  Q: I set up my new montegue end table humidor about 5 weeks ago with a humi-care xg 1000 pro electronic ...
  A: Greg, You can soak the aquafoam in alcohol but will need to thoroughly flush the foam clean with ...
mold inside electronic humidifier9/12/2009
  Q: I set up my new montegue end table humidor about 5 weeks ago with a humi-care xg 1000 pro electronic ...
  A: To prevent mold from appearing, what you can do is keep your humidification device in an ...
Freezing Cuban cigars9/11/2009
  Q: Came across your interesting reply on freezing cigars to kill or inhibit beetle and mould growth. I ...
  A: It's very possible that the freezing process is altering the quality of Cuban cigars but again, the ...
cigar humidor9/10/2009
  Q: i live in India where the average humidity around the year is 90 plus rh. i recently was gifted a ...
  A: In countries where the humidity is extremely high and consistent throughout the year, a ...
Cigar defrosting process9/10/2009
  Q: Would you please let me know your recommendations on step-by-step process of cigar defrosting after ...
  A: When removing your cigars from the freezer, you can just let them sit at room temperature for about ...
Mould inside cigars9/4/2009
  Q: Have you ever experienced mould growing inside cigar body without being noticeable during routine ...
  A: Yes, it's very possible for mold to form inside a cigar. Mold is caused by a buildup of residual ...
ratings9/3/2009
  Q: like the 2008 Casa Magna Robusto- any other recommended cigars? fairly new to "real" cigars but ...
  A: No, Cuban cigars are still illegal in the United States but there are many non-Cuban cigar brands ...
ratings9/3/2009
  Q: like the 2008 Casa Magna Robusto- any other recommended cigars? fairly new to "real" cigars but ...
  A: Here are some excellent medium to full-bodied non-Cuban cigar brands you should try: Arturo Fuente ...
tubos9/2/2009
  Q: James, There seems to have been this year a big increase in the production and variety of tubos ...
  A: A lot of cigar smokers do prefer to buy their cigars in tubos form so there is always a market for ...
Aging of EL cigars9/2/2009
  Q: Here is the new one. What do you think about aging of Edicion Limitada Cuban cigars (like ...
  A: Aging Cuban cigars - especially Edicion Limitadas - will definitely be good because it will make ...
Nausea and lightheadedness after a strong cigar9/2/2009
  Q: This evening I tried a cigar that's new to me, an Ashton VSG (6" x 44). After happily smoking it ...
  A: Cigar sickness is temporary nausea (very short-term vomiting and feeling lightheaded) and people who ...
warranty seal9/1/2009
  Q: i was wondering what the proper dimensions of the cuban warranty seal are. I have a box from 2002, ...
  A: That's correct. Under UV, the numbers in the serial code should be fluorescent and a brighter red ...
How to choose good cigar8/31/2009
  Q: Here is another question I would like to ask. Couple of weeks ago I bought H.Upmann Magnum 50, the ...
  A: When choosing a cigar, you did everything right. You selected a cigar that had a nice construction ...
Cigar/Spirits Pairing.8/28/2009
  Q: I must say I am deeply appreciative of the advice and insight you offer, as well as the treatment of ...
  A: For Cuban cigar brands, I would recommend the following: Vegas Robaina Romeo y Julieta (Churchill ...
Tobacco Mites?8/26/2009
  Q: I read some earlier posts that kind of spoke to my situation but had to ask again. I've noticed some ...
  A: Tobacco mites are completely harmless. They usually enter your humidor by hitching a ride on cigars ...
Humidors & Cigar Wraps8/23/2009
  Q: Do you remove the wrapper before placing them in the humidor I'm new at cigar smoking.
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
humidifier fur8/23/2009
  Q: After seasoning my humidor, and using a store bought solution of 50% Propylene Glycol and 50% ...
  A: If your humidification device's vent can be removed, carefully remove it (keep it away from the ...
dark marks in humidor8/23/2009
  Q: Guys, I have a 6 month old, 25-capacity glass top humidor. The box has been maintaining 70-72% ...
  A: Unfortunately, those dark spots may return over time. The dark spots are most likely from the tacks ...
My cigars taste like plastic hobby glue.8/22/2009
  Q: A week or so ago my cigars started to have an odd flavor. The flavor is the same as the one that you ...
  A: The first thing you should do is smell your humidistat. Does it have a strong aroma of plastic ...
warranty seal8/21/2009
  Q: i was wondering what the proper dimensions of the cuban warranty seal are. I have a box from 2002, ...
  A: That's very interesting. I don't have any 2007/8 boxes on hand to measure right now but I know that ...
Cuban cigars8/18/2009
  Q: James, I will be travelling to Mexico soon and would like to know of good Cuban cigar shops in my ...
  A: The best place to purchase Cuban cigars from is the La Casa Del Habanos shops (LCDH). There are ...
warranty seal8/13/2009
  Q: i was wondering what the proper dimensions of the cuban warranty seal are. I have a box from 2002, ...
  A: For boxes dated between 1999 to early 2009, genuine warranty seals for a large box is 49mm and 20mm ...
Uneven color of wrapper8/12/2009
  Q: Recently I got a box of Montecristo 5 produced in 2008. Putting them into the humidor for storage I ...
  A: Green spots on cigars can be from poor fermentation (water/liquid droplets comes in contact with the ...
cigar temperature8/12/2009
  Q: I have a humidor that I keep upstairs, but in the summer sometimes the house gets too hot, my ...
  A: Cooler is definitely better than warmer. At cooler temperatures, your cigars are OK and won't ...
Cigar rollers8/10/2009
  Q: Not sure if you can help, but I am getting married in Varadero next April and would like to hire a ...
  A: First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. If you're staying (or having your wedding ...
seasoning, etiquette, and storage8/9/2009
  Q: I am very new to smoking cigars, i recently purchased a new 100ct humidor and was curious if ...
  A: To answer your questions: - Demineralized water should be fine to use in a humidor and won't harm ...
How to keep cigars in smoking condition8/7/2009
  Q: I currently have 2 humidors that are both filled. I am going to be ordering a box of A.Fuente short ...
  A: The best method for storing cigars outside your humidor is to store them in Humi-pouches. ...
Montecristo fakes?8/6/2009
  Q: I must admit I have very little experience smoking with the montecristo brand. Ive had it twice ...
  A: Based on your description, it sounds like the cigars are fake because the burn quality of the cigars ...
fake cigars8/4/2009
  Q: A friend (non-smoker, but with a wide Latin American network) recently gave me a container ...
  A: To my knowledge, the only Cohiba cigars packaged in a humidor jar are the 30th Anniversary and ...
tour guides and fake cigars8/3/2009
  Q: my friend recently came back from Cuba, and I had asked him to buy me a box of Siglo 2's along with ...
  A: I haven't used the verification check very much but from the boxes I've checked, it works. The ...
Cohiba cigars from Dominican Rep8/3/2009
  Q: I recently visited Punta Cana Dominican republic and bought 4 Cohiba Epliendidos boxes of 10 and 1 ...
  A: OK, I know exactly which Cohibas these are. These are indeed Dominican Republic Cohibas but they ...
Cohiba cigars from Dominican Rep8/3/2009
  Q: I recently visited Punta Cana Dominican republic and bought 4 Cohiba Epliendidos boxes of 10 and 1 ...
  A: Are the Cohiba cigars labelled as being made in the Dominican Republic or Cuba? There are actually ...
new cohiba esplendido box8/2/2009
  Q: I have a relative in spain and he usually sends me a box of cohiba esplendido once a year as a gift. ...
  A: You should ask your relative which store in Spain he purchased the cigars from. If he purchased ...
Marking on the Havana boxes of cigars.7/31/2009
  Q: How can I find out what the three letter codes that are marked after the date of the production. Do ...
  A: The three letter code is the factory code which incidates which factory the cigars were rolled at. ...
High Temperature7/30/2009
  Q: I have read most of your responses regarding maintaining 70/70 temperature/humidity. I have a 25-30 ...
  A: Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit will incubate any tobacco beetle eggs ...
High Temperature7/29/2009
  Q: I have read most of your responses regarding maintaining 70/70 temperature/humidity. I have a 25-30 ...
  A: The Vinotemp Thermo-Electric desktop humidor is the one I recommend. It's a 100-count humidor and ...
Distilled Water/Battery Water - pH Level7/28/2009
  Q: Would like to ask if using "battery water" instead of distilled water is fine? I bought my first ...
  A: "Battery water" is made with distilled water so it can be used in humidors. ***HOWEVER, battery ...
High Temperature7/28/2009
  Q: I have read most of your responses regarding maintaining 70/70 temperature/humidity. I have a 25-30 ...
  A: Try to store your humidor in your basement or wine cellar as these places are usually much cooler ...
Medium Quality Cubans7/22/2009
  Q: James, what do you consider the best (talking only in taste) full to medium bodied medium quality ...
  A: Here is a list of the best medium to full-bodied premium Cuban cigar brands: Romeo y Julieta Vegas ...
cohiba cigars7/20/2009
  Q: I have recently started smoking cigars and I enjoy the cohiba siglo II. From your experience are ...
  A: For Cuban cigars that have the similar strength profile to Cohiba, try these brands: H. Upmann ...
Cuban Cigars7/18/2009
  Q: If I came back with a couple of boxes of good cubans could I sell them here in Toronto. If so any ...
  A: Mike, You'll have better luck selling to private buyers. Many businesses will not buy cigars from ...
Glass top humidor and rectangular humidifier7/17/2009
  Q: James, I recently purchased a 100 count glass top humidor which came with a large black plastic ...
  A: That humidification device is actually designed to sit upright and centered in your humidor. By ...
Cigar prices in Cuba?7/16/2009
  Q: I have a friend going to Cuba, so I definitely want to take advantage and get him to buy me a box. ...
  A: MartyMix has a good price list for Cuban cigars in Cuba. I'm not sure how often he updates his ...
Caught at border crossing in Ontario7/15/2009
  Q: James - How DID that customs agent know we had one cigar in our bag in the trunk of our car? Are ...
  A: I have no idea how Customs agents know what they know. (Actually, I have an idea how they know but ...
building my own humidor7/15/2009
  Q: I've been looking into getting a larger humidor, but since they can run quite high and the fact ...
  A: Retro-fitting a small refrigerator into a humidor can definitely work. Simply remove the wire ...
Rea Cigars7/14/2009
  Q: I noticed your comment about Rea Cigars. My Grandfather, Fred Rea and his brothers started Rea ...
  A: I'm adding this to the question archive so anyone looking for more info on Rea cigars can read it ...
humidity too high in humidor7/14/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a 300 count humidor. I then had is seasoned by my local cigar shop. After ...
  A: Was your humidor seasoned recently? If yes, you may need to let your humidor sit for a few days ...
Pre Embargo Appraisal7/13/2009
  Q: Yee, I realize that you do not specialize in the appraisal of vintage cigars, but I was hoping you ...
  A: I would recommend getting in touch with an antique dealer that specializes in "Tobacciana" and they ...
smoking half a cigar7/12/2009
  Q: I was wondering if cigars are wrapped in the same manner from head to foot. I bought some "Perdomo ...
  A: You're right. Cutting a cigar in the middle can cause the cigar's wrapper leaf to unravel. The ...
Boveda packs7/10/2009
  Q: hey james! well i have a slight problem with my humidity levels. its currently sitting at about 73, ...
  A: Boveda packs are excellent. They're fairly inexpensive and they work perfectly. They're available ...
Humidor Seasoning and Humidifying solutions7/9/2009
  Q: As a rcent conver to cigar smoking and owner of a new humidor, please could you help? I want to do ...
  A: Yes, if you follow the instructions included with your humidor, it should be fine. If however, you ...
authenticity7/4/2009
  Q: i was recently given two cohibas as a gift - one coronas especiales and one siglo II. no idea where ...
  A: The cigar in that photo looks genuine. The band is evenly printed and cleanly cut. The gold foil ...
Opus X and glass jar humidors7/3/2009
  Q: Silly question maybe, but is it Opus X as in the letter X or as in Roman numeral 10? Also, what is ...
  A: The "X" in "Opus X" actually refers to the roman numeral as it took 10 years for Carlos Fuente Jr. ...
analogue hygrometer7/3/2009
  Q: I have been reading the answers you have provided to everyone about cigars and humidors and I have a ...
  A: The first thing you should do is salt-test and calibrate your new hygrometer to make sure that it's ...
cooledor7/1/2009
  Q: I have purchased a cooler (aprox 2'x1'x1' deep) also I have a peice of spanish cedar about 6' long ...
  A: With a coolerdor, the cedar lining does not need to be seamlessly assembled with precision. In ...
Minimum number of cigars in a humidor7/1/2009
  Q: James, First off, thanks for all the info you have posted. It is a lot of useful stuff. I ...
  A: It's good practice to have a handful of cigars in your humidor but there really isn't any noticeable ...
humidity too high6/29/2009
  Q: james, i was recently given a humidor as a gift. seasoned it, and after a few days it was ready ...
  A: Adding a few small drops of straight PG is fine. It won't harm your madeline humidifier. Be sure ...
humidity too high6/29/2009
  Q: james, i was recently given a humidor as a gift. seasoned it, and after a few days it was ready ...
  A: To lower your humidity, you can add a 50/50 pre-mixed humidor solution to your humidification ...
Adding Aeration Grate6/23/2009
  Q: sorry to use up so much of your time but my cigars are very dear to me and I respect your good ...
  A: Don't worry, feel free to ask as many questions as you need. Whether or not you should season the ...
glass tubed cigars6/23/2009
  Q: James Brand does not matter, but I received a box of the Macs that come in glass tubes. How should ...
  A: For cigars sealed in glass tubes, it's perfectly fine to keep them in your humidor. If the cigar ...
Humidor6/23/2009
  Q: I recently got a cigar box, not a humidor, just the box the cigars come in, its all wood, and it ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to use a cedar cigar box for cigar storage as long as it has a proper ...
Temperature question6/19/2009
  Q: I have my humidor running perfectly at 70/70 with no more than 1 degree or RH fluctuation. However, ...
  A: Based on your situation, your best option would be to invest in a thermo-electric humidor. ...
High Humidity6/19/2009
  Q: I just can't find PG anywhere (I live in Lima-Perú) and my 50/50 mix don't hold the humidity below ...
  A: Yes, it's safe to use reputable brands of odor-free dehumidification beads in your humidor. When ...
Fat Robustos6/19/2009
  Q: Hope you are well. I've been smoking cigars a bit more constantly in the last few months and ...
  A: If you like the Gran Habano #5, try Rocky Patel Edge Battalion. Zino Platinum, La Gloria Cubana ...
wet cigars6/18/2009
  Q: I recently received a box of cigars dated sept. 08.The cigars are so wet they wont smoke properly.I ...
  A: It sounds like the cigars are over-saturated with moisture. This is a big problem as your cigars ...
Fat Robustos6/17/2009
  Q: Hope you are well. I've been smoking cigars a bit more constantly in the last few months and ...
  A: Here are some mild-to-medium, robusto-sized Cuban cigars: Vegas Robaina Famosos Romeo y Julieta ...
Counterfeit Cohibas6/16/2009
  Q: I friend bought me back a box of "Cohiba Esplendido" from Nicaragua. They were in a glass topped ...
  A: Again, the quality of counterfeit cigars greatly varies from counterfeiter to counterfeiter as there ...
Counterfeit Cohibas6/16/2009
  Q: I friend bought me back a box of "Cohiba Esplendido" from Nicaragua. They were in a glass topped ...
  A: Were the cigars you purchased in Playa del Carmen also glass top Cohibas? Did they also have the ...
aeration grate6/11/2009
  Q: Would you recommend the aeration grate shown in link below: ...
  A: Yes, that's a proper aeration platform for your humidor. Before ordering, be sure that it fits the ...
Cuban cigars fake or real?6/11/2009
  Q: I just received 2 boxes of cuaban cigars which a friend says they are fake. 1 box is Bolivar Royal ...
  A: In 2008, Habanos added the second "Epicure" band to their Epicure cigars. This additional band ...
RASS6/10/2009
  Q: Mr. Yee: Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I am fairly new to habanos and am ...
  A: It's not very common for a recently produced box of cigars to have older, discontinued cigar bands ...
Makeshift Humidor question6/10/2009
  Q: hope you had a great vacation. Hopefully where cigars are plentiful and cheap! Anyways, this is ...
  A: Water pillows are fantastic. I like to use them as well. They maintain humidity very well, perform ...
Makeshift Humidor question6/10/2009
  Q: hope you had a great vacation. Hopefully where cigars are plentiful and cheap! Anyways, this is ...
  A: Igloo iceboxes and thermos coolers are perfectly fine to store cigars. In fact, these "coolerdors" ...
humidifier mold6/7/2009
  Q: 1 is it ok to wipe down my humidifier with vodka which is 40% ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl ...
  A: While vodka is safe around your cigars and humidor, it is lower in alchol content (when compared to ...
Repositioning Cigars in Humidor6/5/2009
  Q: James, I have a humidor half full of Cuban Cigars. My hygrometers are reading consistently between ...
  A: Yes, to ensure that all your cigars in your humidor receive an even exposure to humidity, you should ...
Propylene glycol to season my humidor6/5/2009
  Q: James, I just bought a new humidor and started to season it. I wipe it down about four to five ...
  A: You're not supposed to wipe your humidor down with propylene glycol. PG is only meant to be used in ...
tobacco beetles6/5/2009
  Q: I recently acquired a dozen cigars from a friend who was going to throw them out because they were ...
  A: I wouldn't recommend smoking cigars that were infested with tobacco beetles. Even though the ...
Are cubans somewhat overrated?6/4/2009
  Q: It may be because im still a beginner, and learning fine subtleties. But I feel as if at the price ...
  A: I don’t think Cuban cigars are overrated. Yes, there are some Cuban cigars that sell for $30-40 per ...
Cohiba behike6/4/2009
  Q: first I will like to apologize because maybe you will consider this like a ofense but please be sure ...
  A: As you mentioned, the cigars are a "copy" which means that it's not genuine Cohiba. This also means ...
Cohiba behike6/3/2009
  Q: first I will like to apologize because maybe you will consider this like a ofense but please be sure ...
  A: Even in Cuba, in the La Casa del Habanos stores (which is the official, authorized Habanos ...
Cohiba behike6/3/2009
  Q: first I will like to apologize because maybe you will consider this like a ofense but please be sure ...
  A: It's very likely that the cigars are NOT genuine. The Cohiba Behike is an extremely expensive cigar ...
Little white dots in ash6/2/2009
  Q: my humidor temp is around 70% but the humidity is around 76% and can't lower it. The last two cubans ...
  A: Don't worry, the white dots on the ash is actually very normal and can be found on both Cuban and ...
Proper Humidity Level6/2/2009
  Q: James, I have a humidor half full of Cuban Cigars. My hygrometers are reading consistently between ...
  A: When the temperature is in the low 50's (approximately 10 degrees celcius), your humidor will begin ...
Proximity to humidifier6/2/2009
  Q: I have one of those small standard sized humidors, I believe it is about 12 1/4” W x 8 3/4” D x 5” ...
  A: If the humidity in your humidor is kept near the proper level and does not exceed 74-75% humidity, ...
Tight draw issues5/31/2009
  Q: I recently bought some Cuban Hoyo's (Epicure Esp. LE 2004). A very expensive box indeed, but from a ...
  A: Dry cigars are usually very hard and brittle. When you smoke a dry cigar, it can also taste stale ...
Tight draw issues5/30/2009
  Q: I recently bought some Cuban Hoyo's (Epicure Esp. LE 2004). A very expensive box indeed, but from a ...
  A: Because premium cigars are entirely handrolled, it's not uncommon to have some of your cigars rolled ...
Smoking a cigar twice5/26/2009
  Q: My buddy gave me a Cuban Cohiba the other day. I was smoking it in a bar and was told that cigars ...
  A: The cigar may taste a bit stronger than before but yes, it's perfectly fine to put a cigar out to ...
Build my own humidor5/26/2009
  Q: I am new to cigars and am planning on building my own humidor. I have purchased a cooler and some ...
  A: A "coolerdor" is a good setup if you don't plan on buying a humidor just yet. Be sure to line the ...
Cohiba Robustos5/25/2009
  Q: For some reason I tried to air seal a box of my cohibas and after opening them after a couple months ...
  A: If the mold was caught and treated early, your cigars can indeed be saved. Because the mold has ...
Adding dry cigars to humidor5/23/2009
  Q: I have recently come across a box cigars which are dry. They are not totally dry or anything, but ...
  A: When you add dry cigars to a humidor, the drop in humidity will be temporary and very short term. ...
Stale?5/22/2009
  Q: I have a couple of cigars in a humidor that I think have become stale/too hard to smoke. Im not sure ...
  A: What you should do is buy (or borrow from someone) a small digital hygrometer, salt-test and ...
Stale?5/22/2009
  Q: I have a couple of cigars in a humidor that I think have become stale/too hard to smoke. Im not sure ...
  A: Dried out cigars can easily be restored by letting them sit in your humidor, at approximately 70% ...
Humidor temperature/tobacco beetle question5/21/2009
  Q: I just had a few questions about temperature. I have no trouble keeping 70% relative humidity but ...
  A: Fluctuations between 69-74 degrees Fahrenheit will not harm your cigars. If you can't find a cool ...
Humidor temperature/tobacco beetle question5/21/2009
  Q: I just had a few questions about temperature. I have no trouble keeping 70% relative humidity but ...
  A: Tobacco beetle eggs - if present in your cigars - will definitely incubate and hatch at 79-80 ...
Ordering Cuban Cigars by Mail?5/20/2009
  Q: Is it possible to order genuine Cuban cigars from another country, to be delivered to the US by ...
  A: Cuban cigars are still illegal in the United States so if you tried ordering them via mailorder, ...
Maintaining humidor temperature!5/20/2009
  Q: Mr. Lee, how are you sir? My question to you is; how do you maintain the 70 degree temperature in a ...
  A: I'm doing well, thank you for asking. :) To answer your question, there's a few methods to ...
cigar box sizes vs. age.5/20/2009
  Q: Hope you're having a good day.Can you tell me,I'm in the process of picking up a large quantity of ...
  A: No, there's no truth to this as there isn't any major difference between the different boxes of ...
appraisal5/19/2009
  Q: I have collected a great amount of cigars and I am ready to sell them. Where can I get an appraisal ...
  A: To get your cigar items apraised/sold, look in your local yellow page phonebook for antique dealers ...
Humidor5/18/2009
  Q: I bought a humidor a few months ago and I have some minor problems with the relative humidity ...
  A: For your humidification device, you should be able to unscrew the black plastic housing in half. ...
Humidor5/18/2009
  Q: I bought a humidor a few months ago and I have some minor problems with the relative humidity ...
  A: I don't understand your question, are you having trouble with the humidor humidity or temperature? ...
Differences between cigars of the same brand5/18/2009
  Q: am I correct in thinking that different ring gauge and sizes of cigars affect the taste and draw? ...
  A: No, cigars of the same brand and size will usually have similar flavours because they use similar - ...
Differences between cigars of the same brand5/18/2009
  Q: am I correct in thinking that different ring gauge and sizes of cigars affect the taste and draw? ...
  A: Yes, cigar size can indeed affect the way a cigar tastes. The larger ring gauge a cigar has, the ...
Question about uniformity of cigar cases etc5/16/2009
  Q: I recently got some more Romeo Y Julieta no2's, and saw something different. For the peice of wood ...
  A: A colour difference in the cigar tube lining is pretty common. The wood used for the lining is ...
Pre-seasoned Humidors5/16/2009
  Q: When purchasing a already seasoned Humidor,will the pre-season process hold during shipping? Are is ...
  A: In my opinion, it's not worth paying extra money for a humidor just because it is pre-seasoned. The ...
Cigars to gain more experience5/15/2009
  Q: I've finally gotten my humidor working perfectly thanks to your help. I realized that my humidor ...
  A: For Cuban cigars, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta "Mille Fleur" are excellent and not very expensive. ...
Digital Hygrometer question.5/13/2009
  Q: I just had a question regarding digital hygrometers. I got sick of my analog which was giving me ...
  A: For single button hygrometers, if you press and hold the button, the number in the display should ...
Digital Hygrometer question.5/13/2009
  Q: I just had a question regarding digital hygrometers. I got sick of my analog which was giving me ...
  A: PG can last a long time inside your humidor (on average 2 years before it loses its effectiveness) ...
Digital Hygrometer question.5/13/2009
  Q: I just had a question regarding digital hygrometers. I got sick of my analog which was giving me ...
  A: Make sure your hygrometer is not obstructed by any humidor components or cigars as they might cause ...
Florist sponge (Oasis)5/12/2009
  Q: Hope your week is going well. I would like to add a "green sponge" otherwise known as an oasis ...
  A: It's actually better to purchase an extra oasis sponge humidification device rather than use a raw ...
Real or fake Cohiba Esplendidos5/11/2009
  Q: I have a question about the authenticity of the box I'm having. My friend who has connection in one ...
  A: Toan, The image URLs you included do not work but I'm still skeptical about your cigars being ...
Any good sites for Canadians?5/11/2009
  Q: Ive asked questions here before, and I believe you were located in Toronto and suggested several ...
  A: Unfortunately, there aren't many Canadian, website-based retailers of cigars and cigar related ...
Tobacco beetle5/11/2009
  Q: Should I wipe clean the humidor box with alcohol or just a moist towel to cleanse the unit as I ...
  A: You don't need to use alcohol to clean your humidor if you have tobacco beetles. You only need to ...
calibration of digital hygrometer5/10/2009
  Q: I have been reading that it is recommended to use digital hydrometers, and i purchased one. It has ...
  A: Digital hygrometers are usually factory-calibrated and extremely accurate. Just to be sure, you ...
humidor temp v Cuba temp5/10/2009
  Q: I understand the 70/70 rule for humidors. However it's really difficult for me to keep the ...
  A: Temperatures in Cuba are indeed much higher than a humidor environment and this helps with the ...
Beetles????5/9/2009
  Q: Hope all is well. Today, while doing my weekly cigar rotation i noticed something scary... A tiny ...
  A: No, those aren't tobacco beetles. Those are actually tobacco mites and the good news is that ...
Humidor Temperature and Cuban Cigar Recommendations5/8/2009
  Q: 1) What can I do to lower the internal temperature of my humidor as it has been hanging around 75 ...
  A: Vinotemp makes a temperature-controlled humidor that holds 100 cigars. The MSRP is $199. Here's ...
Humidor Temperature and Cuban Cigar Recommendations5/8/2009
  Q: 1) What can I do to lower the internal temperature of my humidor as it has been hanging around 75 ...
  A: If you have a basement or wine cellar, try keeping your humidor there. Basements are significantly ...
Cohiba Piramides5/6/2009
  Q: I have an opportunity to buy a handful of Cohiba Piramides and am attempting to determine if they ...
  A: I've seen genuine Cohiba bands that have the printing/embossing slightly off (very slightly) and ...
Humidor humidity5/5/2009
  Q: My humidor loses humidity very often. I have a drymistat tube as well as a plate filled with ...
  A: Seasoning should take about 2 days (on average) so it's perfectly fine to store your cigars in a ...
Humidor humidity5/5/2009
  Q: My humidor loses humidity very often. I have a drymistat tube as well as a plate filled with ...
  A: Your humidor may either a) have a poor seal and is leaking humidity or b) need to be reseasoned. ...
Cuban cigars in Costa Rica5/1/2009
  Q: I'm far from an expert but I know what I like, and I like Cuban cigars. I've tried several brands ...
  A: EDIT: 1/10/11 - Please note that the Habanos distributor for Costa Rica & Nicaragua has officially ...
Your Top 10 Smokes5/1/2009
  Q: first I'd like to say that you're doing a great job. I'm new to the wonderful world of cigars and ...
  A: My "top 10" lists usually doesn't change very much. Once I find a good cigar, I'll stick with it ...
Most Cuban-like cigars...4/30/2009
  Q: Recently my son-in-law (Navy) came back from Panama with 5 Cohiba Siglio VI's. These have been ...
  A: It's hard to find non-Cuban cigars that match Cuban cigars in terms of strength and flavour. Cuban ...
Cabinet Humidors4/25/2009
  Q: I am currently investigating the possibility of having a custom cabinet humidor built. The cabinet ...
  A: I think a local cabinet maker would be able to offer you a better price. Commercially-built humidor ...
dry cigars4/25/2009
  Q: i've smoked cigars before, but i'm a bit of a newcomer to keeping cigars in a humidor. i wa given a ...
  A: Don't worry, your cigars can still be saved. As long as the dry cigars aren't damaged (ie: broken, ...
COOLador4/24/2009
  Q: Due to the heat approaching and living in a condo where the AC will not be turned on until late May, ...
  A: Storing a coolerdor in your relative's basement is perfectly fine. Just be sure that the coolerdor ...
fake cubans4/24/2009
  Q: Have you ever heard of a humidity test on a Cuban cigar...by placing the cigar in front of the ...
  A: I've never heard of that test and I'm not sure what it would prove. Placing a cigar in front of a ...
Questions4/23/2009
  Q: for the first time I ordered cohiba Siglo VI online because I was tired of paying 75$ a stogie. I ...
  A: Fab, I've never dealt with topcubans so I can't comment on their authenticity. You'll have better ...
Am I buying rejected Cuban cigars??4/22/2009
  Q: I am living and working in Haiti, and we have a contact that gets us San Cristobals at $100/box. The ...
  A: Your cigars are most likely counterfeit (fake Cuban cigars). The fact that the cigars greatly vary ...
Humidity AGAIN4/21/2009
  Q: In my cabinet humidor there are 5 levels. Top 3 shelves read perfectly between 67% to 70% (obviously ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is make sure your boxes and cigars on the 4th shelf do not tightly ...
Do cigars go bad?4/20/2009
  Q: Can the taste or aroma or a cigar actualy dry up if its too dry for too long, or can any, ...
  A: Temperature is also important because it can influence humidity which affects the cigar's flavour ...
bad hygrometer too much humidity4/18/2009
  Q: I'm going crazy trying to get my cigars right. I bought a digital hygrometer and found out one of ...
  A: OK, as I mentioned, make sure your Cigar Oasis is not crowded by cigars or humidor fixtures as that ...
bad hygrometer too much humidity4/18/2009
  Q: I'm going crazy trying to get my cigars right. I bought a digital hygrometer and found out one of ...
  A: The first thing you must do is visually inspect your cigars for any signs of mold. At prolonged ...
mold4/16/2009
  Q: My question is i use the xikar crystal clear humidifier should i replace that because of the mold or ...
  A: What you should do is thoroughly rinse your humidifier with distilled water to remove any possible ...
Tube Cigars Humidity Life4/15/2009
  Q: I'm going out of the country for a wedding and bringing some cigars for the occasion, but won't have ...
  A: Cigars in cigar tubes can stay fresh, on average, for about a week without a humidification source. ...
Spanish Cedar4/15/2009
  Q: Hope all is well. I will be constructing a humidor for a friend and I was wondering if there are ...
  A: When building a humidor, be sure to use kiln-dried Spanish cedar as it is less likely to warp and ...
I'm sorry I didn't get it or see it posted yet.4/13/2009
  Q: James you said you answer this already I did not receive it. can you resent it to me? Also on the ...
  A: Jr., I actually don't discuss mailorder sources so if you're looking to confirm the authenticity ...
peeling outside wrapper4/10/2009
  Q: I had a Hoyo de Monterrey wrapper start to fall apart recently. The cigar has been maintained in my ...
  A: Moistening a cigar with saliva or water can work (according to some people) but I have never seen a ...
peeling outside wrapper4/9/2009
  Q: I had a Hoyo de Monterrey wrapper start to fall apart recently. The cigar has been maintained in my ...
  A: Did the cigar split while you were smoking it or did it split while still in your humidor? Cigars ...
Davidoff Cigars & GTA Cigar Shops4/8/2009
  Q: I was wondering if you knew any canadian websites that ship davidoff cigars. Also do you know any ...
  A: In Toronto, try Thomas Hinds, Tobacco Haven, Cigars-4-You and Xcentrix as they all carry many Cuban ...
Proper Humidity Level4/7/2009
  Q: James, I have a humidor half full of Cuban Cigars. My hygrometers are reading consistently between ...
  A: The humidity "safe zone" is between 66%-74% so right now, your humidor's humidity level is fine. ...
health question4/6/2009
  Q: I have been feeling a little nauceaous and light headed from smoking .... My question is : have you ...
  A: Cigar sickness (ie: nausea, feeling light-headed, vomiting) has been known to usually last only a ...
stoage of cigars in closed boxes4/5/2009
  Q: I just read your response to another cigar fan with respect to storage of cigars and have a more ...
  A: 64 degrees Fahrenheit is fine. With temperature, you'll want to avoid extremely cold temperatures ...
stoage of cigars in closed boxes4/5/2009
  Q: I just read your response to another cigar fan with respect to storage of cigars and have a more ...
  A: The humidity "safe zone" is between 66%-74% humidity and 70% is considered perfect. Some people ...
stoage of cigars in closed boxes4/5/2009
  Q: I just read your response to another cigar fan with respect to storage of cigars and have a more ...
  A: It's always encouraged that you open your cigar boxes and inspect your cigars. Even though the ...
Habanos and aging4/5/2009
  Q: I have recently started enjoying cigars since my visit to Cuba a couple months ago and I have been ...
  A: All premium Cuban cigars have potential to age well. How well a cigar ages doesn't depend on the ...
Cubans3/25/2009
  Q: Hope all is well. I have noticed while comparing my Cuban cigars to Honduran/Nicaraguan brands, ...
  A: Yes, a lot of non-Cuban cigars do have an excellent construction when compared to Cuban cigars. I ...
Monte #23/25/2009
  Q: What does BAS MAY 08 on the bottom of the Monte Cristo #2's mean that I just purchased? I also read ...
  A: That is the production box code that explains where the cigars were made (the factory) and what ...
Uneven Humidity in Humidor3/10/2009
  Q: I am starting out with cigars and humidors. I have two hygrometers in my humidor. The one on the ...
  A: The first thing you should do is make sure both your humidifiers are not obstructed by anything ...
COHIBA Expendidos3/8/2009
  Q: A friend of mine bought a box of the subject cigars when on a cruise. He didn't bring the cigars ...
  A: A photo isn't necessary. I had a feeling that the box would have a glass-top lid. "Glass-top" ...
mold3/7/2009
  Q: James, I made the mistake of keeping two cigars in an air tight, moist container while I waited to ...
  A: As long as the mold has not spread between the layers of exposed tobacco at the foot of the cigar, ...
Proper Levels of Propylene Glycol3/7/2009
  Q: James, I can't seem to find (anywhere) information that will help me decide how much PG to apply ...
  A: The general rule of thumb is to start with a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol and distilled water. ...
COHIBA Expendidos3/7/2009
  Q: A friend of mine bought a box of the subject cigars when on a cruise. He didn't bring the cigars ...
  A: Does the Cohiba Esplendido box have a clear acrylic or glass top lid? If yes, this box is ...
Hoyo de Monterrey3/5/2009
  Q: do you know if the Petit Robusto and Epicure N°1 & 2 has the same "ligada"? If so, it's only a ...
  A: Yes, Hoyo's petit robusto will indeed have a very similar blend to other premium Hoyo vitolas such ...
humi-pouch reusability3/5/2009
  Q: I smoke cigars, occasionally, most definitely not enough to buy a humidor. I might smoke ten cigars ...
  A: Yes, humi-pouches are only good for 90 days (3 months) so if your humi-pouch has already been used ...
Diplomáticos3/4/2009
  Q: James, have you ever heard that Diplomáticos are almost the same as Montecristo? I recently tried a ...
  A: Yes, Diplomaticos cigars were often compared to Montecristo because they were made in the same ...
Cubans in Toronto3/2/2009
  Q: Hey James, hope all is going well. I recently returned from Mexico about 12 hours ago, and it ...
  A: 66% is fine but be sure to monitor your humidor for the next few days to see if the humidity will ...
Cubans in Toronto2/28/2009
  Q: Hey James, hope all is going well. I recently returned from Mexico about 12 hours ago, and it ...
  A: Seasoning (priming) a humidor actually prepares the interior wood so that your humidor can absorb ...
Humidity level low2/27/2009
  Q: I have my new 300ct humidor with my cigar oasis xl unit inside it. At first, the co xl would run ...
  A: To season your humidor, you will need the following: - 1 clean, sterilized sponge (preferably brand ...
Humidity level low2/26/2009
  Q: I have my new 300ct humidor with my cigar oasis xl unit inside it. At first, the co xl would run ...
  A: First, has your humidor been seasoned yet? If no, season it now. A seasoned humidor will absorb ...
Cancun2/25/2009
  Q: Where is best location to purchase cuban cigars is Cancun?
  A: You should buy your cigars from a La Casa del Habanos (LCDH). There are LCDH shops all over the ...
Cigars and coffee2/21/2009
  Q: I drink a bold dark coffee, usually a french roast, colombian roast, breakfast blend or any dark ...
  A: I would suggest a cigar that is rich in flavour but is not too strong. A full bodied cigar would ...
Cubans off the truck2/21/2009
  Q: I'm thinking about purchasing some Cubans and I'm wondering if there are any brands that don't ...
  A: You actually don't need to age any Cuban cigar. They can be smoked immediately without aging. Aging ...
Cabinet humidor humidity2/19/2009
  Q: In my cabinet humidor, I am having a hard time getting the humidity at the top level to stay over ...
  A: Crystals/beads can definitely boost the humidity at the top level. In fact, crystals and beads are ...
cigars going out2/19/2009
  Q: my question is when I smoke the cigars from the top shelf of the humidor they are about perfect. ...
  A: You can buy Spanish cedar at most home renovation/hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. You ...
cigars going out2/19/2009
  Q: my question is when I smoke the cigars from the top shelf of the humidor they are about perfect. ...
  A: Yes, you should definitely rotate your cigars at least once a month. This will allow all your ...
Cigarillos in a tin2/18/2009
  Q: James, I'm sure you have been asked this before but.... I recently acquired some Drew Estate Kahula ...
  A: Many cigarillo and cigarita cigars are small enough that they don't require humidification. These ...
Pirámides2/18/2009
  Q: I have some questions about pirámides. What do you think about Montecristo N° 2, Vegas Robaina ...
  A: I absolutely LOVE Montecristo #2, Robaina Unicos and Bolivar Belicoso Finos! Montecristo #2 is ...
Straight from the box ?2/18/2009
  Q: James, first of all thanx for all the good advices. I'm writing from Lima-Peru... here not much ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to smoke cigars straight out of the box IF they are not dry. If the cigars are ...
PG Solution2/15/2009
  Q: I have a question regarding PG. I got a whoel keg of PG from my friend's dad works in a chemicals ...
  A: Industrial-grade Propylene Glycol can be extremely pungent for your cigars as well as cause allergic ...
Industrial Press2/13/2009
  Q: I wanted to ask if you have ever heard of Industrial Press cigars and if so if there are any still ...
  A: Yes, I have heard of Industrial Press (aka "IP") cigars and they are indeed made by Drew Estate. ...
Cuban question2/13/2009
  Q: I have a buddy going to Cuba and he is picking me up a box. The only problem is I can't decide what ...
  A: Mike, Partagas Serie D 4 is fantastic if you can find a dark, oily box. Other cigars worth picking ...
Humidor Lid is slightly sticky now...2/13/2009
  Q: James, I have been seasoning my humidor the "slow" way with only my humidifier of propylene glycol ...
  A: Yes, Propylene Glycol (PG) can last a long time in a humidor and on average, will last around 2 ...
Humidor Lid is slightly sticky now...2/13/2009
  Q: James, I have been seasoning my humidor the "slow" way with only my humidifier of propylene glycol ...
  A: When your humidor is able to sit for 24 hours (with lid closed) without losing much water in the ...
Humidor mold low humidity2/13/2009
  Q: I have a strange problem where I had mold at normal humidity (70% or so). I think I overfilled my ...
  A: It's not necessary to re-season the humidor if you only remove the tray to disinfect. Disinfect the ...
Humidor Lid is slightly sticky now...2/13/2009
  Q: James, I have been seasoning my humidor the "slow" way with only my humidifier of propylene glycol ...
  A: Yes, your humidor will indeed recover from the swelling so don't worry. This is very common when ...
Humidor mold low humidity2/12/2009
  Q: I have a strange problem where I had mold at normal humidity (70% or so). I think I overfilled my ...
  A: Mold can commonly appear in a humidor when the humidity flow is obstructed inside your humidor. If ...
Humidors2/10/2009
  Q: I am looking to buy my first humidor. I would like to spend between £100 - £150. Is this a fair ...
  A: £100 - £150 for a desktop humidor is very reasonable. Adorini is a good brand but there are ...
looking for metal cigar tubes2/10/2009
  Q: I am a pre-service teacher badly in need of used (or even new if cheap) metal cigar tubes for a ...
  A: I don't have access to empty cigar tubes at the moment but if you contact local cigar stores and ...
Hoja Cigars2/9/2009
  Q: James- I have been trying to find someone who sells Hoja yellow label cigars and have yet to ...
  A: Andrew, Here are two websites that Google found for me: http://www.bighumidor.com/products.cfm ...
Hoja Cigars2/9/2009
  Q: James- I have been trying to find someone who sells Hoja yellow label cigars and have yet to ...
  A: I haven't smoked Hoja cigars in many years but I do know that they are manufactured by Universal ...
Building a humidor2/7/2009
  Q: My brother is going to be my bestman in my wedding and wanted to build him a humidor. I knew that ...
  A: Yes, when building a humidor, never use American Red cedar. American Red cedar is actually more ...
Temp/Humidity2/6/2009
  Q: I have a humidor with approximately 45 cigars in it. I have built a bar in my basement and want to ...
  A: You may want to consider using an electronic humidifier in your humidor such as a Cigar Oasis ...
Quality Humidor!!!2/5/2009
  Q: Mr.Lee, How are you? I'm looking into purchasing a good humidor(large ...
  A: There's literally hundreds of different humidor designs ranging anywhere between $100-$2,500+ ...
Spanish cedar/mahogany cedar1/24/2009
  Q: Last question then im off to Cuba! I recently purchased a cabinet style humidor. When I purchased ...
  A: Mahogany is actually the second best choice for a wood in a humidor. If a humidor builder can't ...
Even humidity1/23/2009
  Q: I have a humidor that it about 14"X20"X12" high. I have had it farly full of cigars for 18 months or ...
  A: Yes, humidors do function better if the humidification device is placed at the bottom of the ...
Even humidity1/23/2009
  Q: I have a humidor that it about 14"X20"X12" high. I have had it farly full of cigars for 18 months or ...
  A: A Cigar Oasis is more than capable of humidifying your entire humidor so it's not necessary to add a ...
Electric humidifier1/22/2009
  Q: I recently purchased an air king (holmes) humidifier very slightly used for my large cabinet ...
  A: If you continue to use tap water in the humidifier, the humidifier may develop a chalky residue in ...
Vintage cuban cigars1/21/2009
  Q: .. Why is it that most vintage cuban cigars that are for sale come from the years 2000 and 2001? ...
  A: It's really a matter of opinion. Some people do prefer not to purchase cigars from a certain year ...
cohiba double coronas edicion limitada 20031/21/2009
  Q: I recently acquired a box of these, I have compared the double bands and they appear to be ...
  A: It's hard to tell whether or not these cigars are genuine based on description alone. ...
Sealing a humidor1/21/2009
  Q: I bought a cabinet humidor that fits approx. 1000 cigars. I would like to seal the corners though ...
  A: OK, if you're worried about cooking odors entering the humidor and just want to patch up the gaps, a ...
Sealing a humidor1/21/2009
  Q: I bought a cabinet humidor that fits approx. 1000 cigars. I would like to seal the corners though ...
  A: Has the cabinet been prepped (seasoned) yet? If not, season the humidor first and see if it manages ...
Dry Montecristo Tubos1/21/2009
  Q: Hey James, I just got two Montecristo Habana Tubos as a gift and they appear to be somewhat ...
  A: A dry cigar can split but it's usually uncommon. Dry cigars are more likely to split if they are ...
Dry Montecristo Tubos1/21/2009
  Q: Hey James, I just got two Montecristo Habana Tubos as a gift and they appear to be somewhat ...
  A: Rehydrating dry cigars is extremely easy and you can restore these cigars to perfect smoking ...
Humidifier maintenance1/20/2009
  Q: I have notices some white fuzz on the edges of my paradigm humidifier and was wondering what to do ...
  A: It's very possible that the substance could be plume/bloom but it's not very common to find plume on ...
Humidifier maintenance1/19/2009
  Q: I have notices some white fuzz on the edges of my paradigm humidifier and was wondering what to do ...
  A: If the white mold is only on the outside of the humidifier housing, what you can do is wipe the ...
Humidor isnt holding Humidity1/18/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a Humidor on Ebay. I thought I was getting a great deal. It is a 120 ct ...
  A: OK, it's definitely better to return the humidor for a refund then repair it yourself and void the ...
Humidor isnt holding Humidity1/18/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a Humidor on Ebay. I thought I was getting a great deal. It is a 120 ct ...
  A: OK, it's definitely better to return the humidor for a refund then repair it yourself and void the ...
Drymistat1/18/2009
  Q: Happy New Year James. I'm trying to increase the humidity in my humidor. I currently have 2 round ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to combine a drymistat with your regular humidification devices. A lot of ...
wrappers1/17/2009
  Q: I am wondering why , not always but sometimes when I cut my cigar the wrapper cracks down toward the ...
  A: This is somewhat of a common thing. Usually when this happens, it's because the cigar is either A/ ...
Humidor isnt holding Humidity1/17/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a Humidor on Ebay. I thought I was getting a great deal. It is a 120 ct ...
  A: With your cigars starting to "explode", it's best to quickly move them to a proper storage ...
Humidor.1/16/2009
  Q: I cannot get the temp above 50% on my box. I have those crystal gels in a jar and a humidor inside ...
  A: There could be one or several reasons why the humidity in your humidor is too low. First, check to ...
hygrometers/humidors1/16/2009
  Q: I recently bought an expensive Brigham humidor (about 100/150 capacity) and cannot get readings on ...
  A: The first step is to make sure that your hygrometer is properly configured. Even though most ...
Cohiba 40th Anniversary Cigar1/14/2009
  Q: I bought a cigar today, and when I asked for a Cohiba Corona, I expected a Dominican "Red Dot" but ...
  A: The only Cuban Cohiba 40th Anniversary cigar is indeed the Behike which measures 7 1/2 x 52 and is ...
Cuba and credit cards1/14/2009
  Q: Last time I was in Cuba I used my credit card to purchase cigars. Is there any increase in price due ...
  A: No, I don't think there is any increase in paying with your credit card. Whether you pay in CUC or ...
in-duct humidifiers1/14/2009
  Q: My 150 count humidor is only maintaining about 63 percent humidity and about 69 degress F. Im ...
  A: Adding an in-duct humidification system to your home to improve the overall humidity level can ...
Varadero1/12/2009
  Q: Welcome back and happy new year! Going to Varadero month end. I know of LCDH at plaza las americas ...
  A: The cigar store at the Plaza La Americas mall is nice. It's always got a great selection of cigars ...
Low Humidity in Humidor1/12/2009
  Q: I was given a 50 cigar humidor as a gift and went through all the process of seasoning it. I wiped ...
  A: It's possible that the humidor has construction defects or damage that may constantly cause the ...
Cigar Humidification System1/11/2009
  Q: I am looking to purchase a 300ct humidor soon and am undecided on which humidifier to purchase for ...
  A: For a 300-count humidor, the Cigar Oasis XL should be perfectly fine. The XL Plus is designed for ...
Cigar Humidification System1/11/2009
  Q: I am looking to purchase a 300ct humidor soon and am undecided on which humidifier to purchase for ...
  A: Of the two, I would personally recommend Cigar Oasis. Le Veil humidifiers were really good (ie: best ...
Isabela Miami cigars1/11/2009
  Q: I just smoked an Isabela robusto from miami Florida in an awesome cigar store in Brookfield called ...
  A: I've never heard of or seen "Isabela" cigar before so it's either a new brand that just came out or ...
freezing cigars1/8/2009
  Q: James, one last question. This beetle saga continues...now what can I expect in performance, ...
  A: Long term freezing of your cigars is never good but short term freezing to stop a beetle outbreak is ...
tobacco beetle1/7/2009
  Q: Beetles; what action to take. Guess what I found...one live beetle in a large desktop humidor and ...
  A: No, not all cigars are guaranteed to have tobacco beetle eggs inside them. In fact, most cigars ...
tobacco beetle1/7/2009
  Q: Beetles; what action to take. Guess what I found...one live beetle in a large desktop humidor and ...
  A: Yes, high humidity (75% humidity or higher) will lead to mold growth while high temperatures (75 ...
tobacco beetle1/7/2009
  Q: Beetles; what action to take. Guess what I found...one live beetle in a large desktop humidor and ...
  A: Good work, just keep the cigars in your freezer for 48 hours. This will kill any tobacco beetles ...
Bad tasting cigars1/6/2009
  Q: I live in Pittsburgh, PA, it's winter and the air in my house is at 50%RH, temparatures range from ...
  A: I actually prefer to use cellulose polymer humidifiers such as crystals, beads and gel pillows ...
Bad tasting cigars1/6/2009
  Q: I live in Pittsburgh, PA, it's winter and the air in my house is at 50%RH, temparatures range from ...
  A: An unusual taste in your cigars can usually be attributed to too much propylene glycol (or 50/50 ...
humidor humidity and temp1/6/2009
  Q: James, I have just purchased and seasoned my new Siglo humidor. In the 48 hours since I seasoned ...
  A: Usually, a seasoned humidor should be able to create 70% humidity without any problems but sometimes ...
Hoyo de Monterrey1/5/2009
  Q: Which Hoyo de Monterrey Habana cigar is closest to a 6" by 50 ring (typically, a Toro)? Same ...
  A: These are the Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey cigars closest to the 6x50 toro size: Épicure No. 1 - 5 5/8" ...
Humidor Question - Humidity Level1/2/2009
  Q: I just purchased a humidor (for my husband) from Cuban Crafters and it holds approximately 120 ...
  A: The addition of cigars to the humidor - especially dry cigars - can temporarily absorb all the ...
can't find1/1/2009
  Q: S. and I have searched the internet all over the country. They are a Dominican cigar and no one ...
  A: Andrew, If the distributor has gone out of business, it will be extremely hard to track these ...
can't find1/1/2009
  Q: S. and I have searched the internet all over the country. They are a Dominican cigar and no one ...
  A: I don't think these are sold in Canada as well so you will have to find out the name of the parent ...
Ring gauge puch cut.1/1/2009
  Q: What ring gauge are most punch cutters? Do they make bigger ones? What is the biggest ring suggested ...
  A: The size of a punch cutter is usually around 25-29 ring gauge which is approximately the ...
Temp VS humidity table12/31/2008
  Q: I read this table on your forum temperature Relative Humidity 60 - 79%-80% 61 - ...
  A: The variable humidity theory is no longer supported by cigar smokers because it is flawed. Cigars ...
Broken Humidor Tray12/31/2008
  Q: James, I just purchased a Humidor with trays, during the seasoning of said humidor one of the trays ...
  A: What you can do is use a zero-fume, waterproof carpenter's glue to repair the tray. Be sure to let ...
front mount hygrometer12/30/2008
  Q: I recently won a humidor and box of cigars during a recent Macanudo 1968 promotion. The humidor has ...
  A: It really depends on the size of the holes. If they're really small pin holes, they may not be ...
Ltd. Edition Cigars12/30/2008
  Q: There seems to be more and more Ltd. edition Cuban cigars being released. What is your opinion about ...
  A: I'm a big fan of limited edition cuban cigars and love everything from regular Edicion Limitadas to ...
front mount hygrometer12/29/2008
  Q: I recently won a humidor and box of cigars during a recent Macanudo 1968 promotion. The humidor has ...
  A: Humidors with a front-mounted hygrometer is always complicated because these hygrometers usually ...
New Humidor Set-Up12/28/2008
  Q: I have recently purchased a new 120 count humidor and want to ask a question regarding setup. I did ...
  A: Seasoning a new humidor by applying distilled water to the interior is recommended because it ...
Cigar mold? or is it bloom?12/23/2008
  Q: I must not be doing something right. No matter what I do, Mold reappears not in my humidor, but just ...
  A: Juda, If you can see mold between the leaves, you may have to throw the cigars away. :( Once mold ...
Monte #212/23/2008
  Q: I received a box of monte #2 for xmas and i was wondering if authentic. The box does have the ...
  A: A dress box without a boxcode is pretty suspicious. If the cigars are genuine, it's possible that ...
Cigar mold? or is it bloom?12/23/2008
  Q: I must not be doing something right. No matter what I do, Mold reappears not in my humidor, but just ...
  A: If the mold reappeared on the cigars, then the cigars still have mold particles on them so you will ...
Preparing a Travel Humidor12/23/2008
  Q: I purchased a Craftsmen's Bench "Passport" humidor for my husband for Christmas. I want to put a ...
  A: Preparing your husband's humidor (also known as "seasoning") is very simple. First, you need to ...
cigar glass tubes12/23/2008
  Q: i just bought a box of cigars with glass tubes and i wanted to know if it is alright to keep them ...
  A: It really depends on the type of cap that the glass tubes have. If the cap is plastic or cork, it's ...
can't find12/22/2008
  Q: I am having a difficult time finding Mendez Lopez exclusivos or Carbonell corona's in the United ...
  A: I'm not sure where you are located in the US but what you can do is check with local cigar stores ...
Gurkha Grand Reserve12/20/2008
  Q: I am a big fan of the Gurkha Grand reserve. I have noticed different color wax seals on the tubes. ...
  A: I've been told that the different coloured wax corresponds to the different sizes/models of Gurkha ...
cigar smoking12/19/2008
  Q: What is the proper way to smoke a cigar? Does it include blowing some of the smoke through your nose ...
  A: There's actually two ways of smoking a cigar. For beginners, it's encouraged that you do not inhale ...
walk in humidor12/18/2008
  Q:
  A: I'm not familiar with the UK region but if you're looking to build either a commercial or personal ...
Seal on new humidor12/18/2008
  Q: Mr. Lee, I recently purchased my first humidor at a local, reputable cigar shop about a week ago. ...
  A: Though this gap isn't causing your humidor any problems right now, it is possible that it may cause ...
new humidor12/18/2008
  Q: my humidifier and hydrometer. After about four hours my hydrometer is still hovering between 40 and ...
  A: Usually it's very quick for the humidity to climb and stabilize at 70% so if your humidor's humidity ...
Storing cigars12/17/2008
  Q: Is it better to leave cigars that come in glass tubes in the tubes when placing in the humidor or ...
  A: The cap on most glass cigar tubes are not 100% airtight so it's perfectly fine to leave the cigars ...
humidity12/16/2008
  Q: Lee, I have purchased the wooden box humidifier with two sponges in a plastic box. I filled the ...
  A: To use your humidor properly, you will first need to season it. To season it, use a clean spray ...
Cohibas Esplendidos12/16/2008
  Q: A colleague of mine has a Cuban friend who brought a 25 box of Cohibas Esplendidos from a holiday in ...
  A: Don't worry, all dry cigars can still be rehydrated. After two months without proper storage, those ...
The Beginners Book12/14/2008
  Q: When will it be available (and where)? cheers, p
  A: I'm still busy working away on the book and making sure I haven't missed any crucial information ...
Adding a cup of d.water in humidor12/12/2008
  Q: I have added a shot glass of distilled water in my humidor in hopes of raising the humidity and it ...
  A: Placing a glass of distilled water in your humidor is perfectly fine but because a glass can ...
Humidors AGAIN!!12/11/2008
  Q: James, I'm sure by now you are fed up of the humidor questions!!! but that wont stop me from asking ...
  A: If two humidification devices, 5 humi-pillows and a recent re-seasoning still can't boost your ...
Winter humidity problems12/10/2008
  Q: I live in northern illinois and am having problems keeping my humidity over 62% (i prefer 68%). I ...
  A: Yes, it's pretty common for humidors to have problems maintaining humidity during the winter months ...
Humidors again12/6/2008
  Q: as always thanks for taking the time to answer me. I followed your advice as best I could in ...
  A: To answer your questions: A/ Seasoning a large cabinet humidor is no different than seasoning a ...
aging cubans and cigars12/6/2008
  Q: James, couple of questions; A) why is it that cigars from Cuba are by far the cigar of choice to lay ...
  A: Yes, bloom is another name for plume. How much plume/bloom a cigar develops depends on how oily the ...
aging cubans and cigars12/5/2008
  Q: James, couple of questions; A) why is it that cigars from Cuba are by far the cigar of choice to lay ...
  A: To answer your questions: A/ Cuban cigars are more popular for aging because these cigars typically ...
Cuban Cigars12/5/2008
  Q: Is there such a thing as a 40 Aniversario Cohiba in a double corona? Just wondering, thanks ...
  A: Greg, The only Cohiba double corona I can recall is the Edicion Limitada. Cohiba's 40th ...
Cuban Cigars12/5/2008
  Q: Is there such a thing as a 40 Aniversario Cohiba in a double corona? Just wondering, thanks
  A: Cohiba's 40th Anniversario cigar is actually called a "Behike". It is often mistaken for a double ...
Humidor humidity12/4/2008
  Q: I have a Venitian style humidor. I have a digi hygrometer that is usually placed in the top shelf ...
  A: It's possible that your humidor needs to re-seasoned but first, re-arrange your cigars and see if ...
cuban fakes12/4/2008
  Q: I just received a box of Upmann #2's and they are about the ugliest cigar I have seen since a guy ...
  A: Some premium Cuban cigar boxes don't have this wax paper strip. If your Upmann #2s are from a cedar ...
cuban fakes12/3/2008
  Q: I just received a box of Upmann #2's and they are about the ugliest cigar I have seen since a guy ...
  A: It sounds like the cigars are fake. I've seen genuine premium Cuban cigars that are not "picture ...
humidore mistake12/2/2008
  Q: I'm new into cigars. I just purchased a humidore. I recently just cured it and made a mistake.I ...
  A: Don't worry, your humidor is not in any danger. Even though you used filtered water, it won't be a ...
deciding on a large or small humidor12/2/2008
  Q: I am relatively new to cigar smoking and find myself eenjoying many different brands and styles. My ...
  A: I've never dealt with them before so I can't say whether or not they're authentic. Also, just to ...
deciding on a large or small humidor12/2/2008
  Q: I am relatively new to cigar smoking and find myself eenjoying many different brands and styles. My ...
  A: Buying a humidor cabinet is a major purchase and investment so you should try to visit a cigar store ...
Going to Cuba and looking for some ideas12/2/2008
  Q: I'm new to this site and am very impressed by its content, especially the good advice you have given ...
  A: Glad you enjoyed Cuba! You brought back a good haul! I'm not sure where you can find Propylene ...
Cohiba Siglo III box12/2/2008
  Q: James, I just bought a box of Cohiba Siglo III's from an Internet retailer who I did extensive ...
  A: Normally, genuine Cuban seals, bands and labels can be stolen or recycled by counterfeiters so even ...
deciding on a large or small humidor12/1/2008
  Q: I am relatively new to cigar smoking and find myself eenjoying many different brands and styles. My ...
  A: Whichever humidor you upgrade to really depends on your own personal preference. I personally think ...
Cohiba Esplendidos revival11/30/2008
  Q: James, my wife recently showed me a box of Cohiba Esplendidos from Haban Cuba that was given to her ...
  A: Unfortunately, they are indeed counterfeit. Genuine Cuban Cohiba has never made glass-top boxed ...
Cohiba Esplendidos revival11/30/2008
  Q: James, my wife recently showed me a box of Cohiba Esplendidos from Haban Cuba that was given to her ...
  A: Yes, your dry cigars can definitely be restored. To re-hydrate your cigars, you will need to let ...
Acrylic Humidor Jar help11/28/2008
  Q: Hey James, So I'm a novice cigar smoker yet I am completely loving the culture of cigar smoking. I ...
  A: What you can do is use a clean spray bottle. Simply spray the cedar lining with distilled water, ...
Travel Humidor11/28/2008
  Q: James, Thanks for your last answer on the acrylic humidor. In regards to travel humidors, i know ...
  A: Those foam, "strongbox"-type travel humidors are actually great for "rugged travel". They hold ...
new humidor11/28/2008
  Q: i just bought a 50ct humidor from a fairly reputable retailer, i also had them season it for me ...
  A: If the humidor was purchased and seasoned within the past week, you will need to let your humidor ...
Acrylic Humidor Jar help11/27/2008
  Q: Hey James, So I'm a novice cigar smoker yet I am completely loving the culture of cigar smoking. I ...
  A: First of all, welcome to cigars and cigar smoking. I hope you have fun and enjoy many good cigars ...
Cigar Fragrance11/27/2008
  Q: I have noticed (in about 5 out of 50 or 100 sticks) a peculiar fragrance/taste in cuban cigars ...
  A: It's hard to pin-point the exact cause of this peculiar taste/smell but the most common causes is ...
new to the cigar education11/26/2008
  Q: Yee, I am 27 years old and have purchased my first humidor, it was a fairly inexpensive piece and I ...
  A: First, welcome to the wonderful world of cigars and cigar smoking. I hope you really enjoy it. To ...
Cigar softness11/26/2008
  Q: James, I'm wondering if my cigars should feel "harder" after sitting in my humidor for several ...
  A: A drop in humidity is quite common during winter months as the humidor has a harder time maintaining ...
Cigar softness11/24/2008
  Q: James, I'm wondering if my cigars should feel "harder" after sitting in my humidor for several ...
  A: This is perfectly normal and common with premium handmade cigars. Not all cigars are made the same ...
humidor swings and cigar storage11/24/2008
  Q: I have two well made, larger desk top humidors. On average I have 60+ cigars in 'storage'. Swings in ...
  A: To answer your questions: A/ A 1-in-5 ratio isn't uncommon with premium, handmade cigars. Most ...
humidor swings and cigar storage11/23/2008
  Q: I have two well made, larger desk top humidors. On average I have 60+ cigars in 'storage'. Swings in ...
  A: Your humidity is slightly high at 75% and this is more than enough for cigar mold to appear. Cigar ...
Cubanos in Jamaica11/20/2008
  Q: Just returned from Jamaica where I purchased a small assortment of Cuban (as far as I can determine) ...
  A: I'm not too familiar with cigar stores in Jamaica but what I can do is provide you with the ...
humidity levels11/16/2008
  Q: First,Thanks for your answers in the past, been a big help. I have couple of questions. As I ...
  A: Even though your humidity level fluctuates in your wine cooler, it's still within the tolerable ...
Cuban cigars in the Dominican11/16/2008
  Q: I have a friend going to the Dominican and he is going to bring me back some cigars. I prefer Cubans ...
  A: Yes, genuine Cuban cigars can be found in the Dominican Republic and to make sure that your friend ...
Cigar's!!!11/14/2008
  Q: Is there a non-cuban cigar out that is almost equivalant in taste to a to a cuban cigar?
  A: Unfortunately, there are no non-Cuban cigars that taste 100% identical to Cuban cigars. However, ...
Info on Cuban Cigars11/13/2008
  Q: Yee, I will be traveling to Grand Cayman in a few weeks and would like information/tips on Cuban ...
  A: Cuban cigars generally have a heavier and more spicy flavour while most non-Cuban cigars are more ...
Cigar mold? or is it bloom?11/12/2008
  Q: I must not be doing something right. No matter what I do, Mold reappears not in my humidor, but just ...
  A: Cigar mold is typically thick and fuzzy in appearance and will grow in random patches that can ...
Cuban mail order11/12/2008
  Q: Try a number of cubans purchased from tobacconists in Canada. I used two mail orders one which is ...
  A: When ordering cigars via mailorder, it's not uncommon to receive damaged or flawed cigars. While ...
Humidor and Cigars11/11/2008
  Q: Two questions.... 1. Where can i get good spanish cedar for my humidor I am making? 2. what do you ...
  A: Spanish cedar is usually available at most lumber yards that carry a wide range of domestic and ...
Duty-free cuban cigars11/9/2008
  Q: James - I know you don't evaluate mailorder sites, so I hope this question does not fit this ...
  A: A lot of questionable Cuban cigar retailers - whether it's a mailorder company/website or an actual ...
long lasting cigars11/6/2008
  Q: i have a cohiba siglo 6 cigar and its still in the tin and the tin is sealed by the looks of it, i ...
  A: Yes, you can purchase humi-pouches at most cigar stores and if you prefer not to buy a humidor yet, ...
how long can a cigar last11/6/2008
  Q: i have a cohiba siglo 6 cigar and its still in the tin and the tin is sealed by the looks of it, i ...
  A: All cigars, even those in cigar tubes, plastic cellophane wrappers and cigar boxes, can only last a ...
Temperature fluctuations11/6/2008
  Q: I am having a hrd time keeping a consistent temperature in my humidor this time of year. It varies ...
  A: You will definitely need to relocate your humidor now to the coolest room possible in your condo. ...
Temperature fluctuations11/4/2008
  Q: I am having a hrd time keeping a consistent temperature in my humidor this time of year. It varies ...
  A: Even though the temperature in your humidor fluctuates this time of the year, it's still within the ...
Fake Cubanos11/4/2008
  Q: In a couple of days,I'm going to Puerto Vallarta for a week. If I buy at La Casa del Habano can I be ...
  A: All La Casa del Habanos (LCDH) stores are supplied by distributors that are personally authorized by ...
temperature11/4/2008
  Q: my digital thermometer reads 74.1 degrees and 71% humidity, shoul d be worried?
  A: At 71%, your humidor's humidity level is fine but your temperature level is slightly high at 74.1 ...
cigar beetles10/30/2008
  Q: I recently got a box of cigars from a friend. His dad brought them back from I think Cuba. I am ...
  A: It definitely sounds like you have a box of counterfeit Cohibas. Cohiba doesn't package any of ...
travel humidor 4 box's10/30/2008
  Q: I want to go abroad and buy some boxs(3-4) of cigars and was thinking what i could put my boxs in to ...
  A: What you can do to keep your cigars humidified is to store them in humi-pouches. Humi-pouches will ...
mold on humidifier element10/28/2008
  Q: i just checked the element pad in my new humidor which has been in use for roughly two months, and ...
  A: Sometimes a small trace of residual bacteria (such as a dirty fingerprint mark) is more than enough ...
Plume or Mold?10/23/2008
  Q: So I can back form Cuba and bought 4 boxes of cigars. Cohiba Robustos, 2 boxes of San Cristobal La ...
  A: The white mold-like substance on your cigars is not a true cigar mold but instead, is a form of ...
Going to Cuba and looking for some ideas10/22/2008
  Q: I'm new to this site and am very impressed by its content, especially the good advice you have given ...
  A: There's a great cigar store in the Plaza Las Americas mall. It's got a huge selection of cigars and ...
Going to Cuba and looking for some ideas10/22/2008
  Q: I'm new to this site and am very impressed by its content, especially the good advice you have given ...
  A: One great Cuban cigar brand you should look for is Punch. Punch is not available in Canada (due the ...
Re soring cigars10/22/2008
  Q: I have a question regarding the storing of cigars. I am planning on going on a cruise in about six ...
  A: Good news: Your cigars are not in any danger. Short-term refrigeration will not damage your cigars ...
First Humidor10/20/2008
  Q: I am a budding cigar aficionado (just starting out) and i am looking at a 200 count cigar humidor ...
  A: Beginner humidors usually cost between $100 to $250 but if you feel comfortable spending a certain ...
paper cigar boxes10/19/2008
  Q: I recently bought some Trinidad Reyes I bought 5 packs of 5 instead of a box of 25 and saved some ...
  A: There is no difference in the cigars but the cigar packaging can vary. Some of these cigars for ...
Humidor smell10/17/2008
  Q: Ok, so a buddy of mine who is a novice cigar smoker, decided to save a half smoked cigar for the ...
  A: The easiest method to eliminate that half-smoked cigar smell from your humidor is to use an ...
full-bodied cigars10/8/2008
  Q: I have two questions. I would like to gain a better understanding of what makes a cigar full-bodied ...
  A: The strength of a cigar depends entirely on the type of filler tobacco used, the age of the filler ...
cigar business10/7/2008
  Q: This is a follow up from previous concerns, my names nav i think ull know which one I am, So I am ...
  A: Starting and maintaining a cigar store/lounge can indeed be very expensive but if you have a ...
humidor humidity10/7/2008
  Q: "Thank You in advance, I have a Montegue cabinet humidor. I have a large collection of cigars and ...
  A: Several people have contacted me before with the exact same problem and algae-like symptoms and how ...
wine cigar bar & lounge10/6/2008
  Q: I want to start a business selling cuban cigars, with a seperate lounging room that also features a ...
  A: For a cigar store with a walk-in humidor, stockroom, lounge, washrooms and office, 4000 to 8000 ...
Cigar Knoweldge10/6/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee, I will be retiring in three years and I want to start a Cigar Business; Lounge/Retail. I've ...
  A: I'm not sure if there are any seminars on operating a cigar business but what you can do is visit ...
wine cigar bar & lounge10/6/2008
  Q: I want to start a business selling cuban cigars, with a seperate lounging room that also features a ...
  A: Having a cigar lounge can be a great idea if you thoroughly research the idea and take the necessary ...
hygrometer???10/5/2008
  Q: I did the salt test on 2 hygrometers(west calibor&madaline) in the same tupperware and after about ...
  A: It's hard to tell why your hygrometers have different readings without looking at your setup but ...
Humidor maintenance10/4/2008
  Q: I have an Elie Bleu humidor. I brought it from Canada to Israel after it had not been used for a ...
  A: The first thing you must do is make sure that your hygrometer is 100% accurate. Re-check your ...
San Cristobal del la Habana10/1/2008
  Q: James, What is the closest nonCuban smoke to a San Cristobal de la Habana? I had this cigar while ...
  A: It's hard to find a non-Cuban counterpart for most Cuban cigars. For San Cristobal, I would ...
Cigar humidor9/29/2008
  Q: Yee, My humidor is brand new. It is a constant 76% humidity. Can't seem to get it at a constant ...
  A: Check your digital hygrometer to make sure that it is working properly. Some digital hygrometers ...
humidor9/29/2008
  Q: For the past 2 years when I travel I find myself buying Cuban cigars to bring home to keep for ...
  A: If you frequently purchase cigars or prefer to save your cigars for special occasions, it's best to ...
Humidor maintenance9/27/2008
  Q: James, I recently purchased a humidor - 100 ct - and spent the better part of the week "seasoning" ...
  A: Check the humidification device and see if it much of the water has evaporated or not. If it has, ...
CIGAR HUMIDOR9/26/2008
  Q: I recently built a red cedar lined humidor about 2-3 months ago and due to the nature of the cedar ...
  A: Yes, you should change the cedar lining in your humidor immediately. Prolonged exposure to red ...
aging cigars9/24/2008
  Q: i made a nice humidor from a good beer cooler. i'm buying boxes of very good cubans and some very ...
  A: When aging cigars, it's always best to just leave the cigars in their original boxes as is. The ...
Mold Problem9/24/2008
  Q: A couple of weeks ago I noticed mold on a few of my cigars and in my humidor. I did some research on ...
  A: Good news, it's possible to save your humidor. Because mold reappeared in the exact spot as before, ...
Beetles9/23/2008
  Q: Just a quick one here. Tobacco beetles. If one of my cigars in my box are infected (meaning the ...
  A: If beetles from one cigar in a box appear, it's possible that there are other beetles in the other ...
Temp and humidor9/22/2008
  Q: My hunidor this weekend (my fault, forgot to close the shutters) hit a temperature of 76 degrees for ...
  A: It takes prolonged exposure - usually takes 2-3 days - of high temperatures for tobacco beetle eggs ...
must smoke cigar9/21/2008
  Q: James, thank you for your answer to my last few questions. It turned out I didn't really have a ...
  A: I'm glad to hear that you don't have a mold problem. :) As for "must try" cigars, if you are ...
Cigars splitting!!! Help9/21/2008
  Q: James, I have a 300ct humidor which I bought aprox 1 month ago see attached pic. I replaced the ...
  A: If you add more slots on the shelves and add an electronic humidifier, your humidor will definitely ...
Cigars splitting!!! Help9/21/2008
  Q: James, I have a 300ct humidor which I bought aprox 1 month ago see attached pic. I replaced the ...
  A: The reason why your cigars are splitting is because the humidity is either too high in your entire ...
Humidor maintenance9/21/2008
  Q: James, I recently purchased a humidor - 100 ct - and spent the better part of the week "seasoning" ...
  A: It usually doesn't take long for the humidity to recover after you've closed your humidor. It also ...
Humidor maintenance9/21/2008
  Q: James, I recently purchased a humidor - 100 ct - and spent the better part of the week "seasoning" ...
  A: Don't worry, it's perfectly normal for the humidity to slightly drop whenever you open your humidor ...
Monte #4's9/19/2008
  Q: There is this place I've been buying cigars from here in Canada,they have a sale on a lot of there ...
  A: I haven't heard of any major problems with Monte #4s in recent years so I'm not sure if there's ...
Winter Maintenance9/16/2008
  Q: I was curious about humidor maintenance in during the winter season. Inside my humidor there is an ...
  A: Humidor maintenance during the winter months is ideally the same as humidor maintenance during the ...
high humidity levels9/15/2008
  Q: I have recently purchased a Adorini Humidor, i have read all the instructions and followed them to ...
  A: If your hygrometer is fine and your humidity is just too high, you will need to add Propylene Glycol ...
Lighters9/15/2008
  Q: What lighters are the most popular for cigar smoking? Do you have any experience of thoughts on ...
  A: Cigar smokers will generally use both traditional flame and torch lighters. Traditional flame ...
high humidity levels9/13/2008
  Q: I have recently purchased a Adorini Humidor, i have read all the instructions and followed them to ...
  A: Cellulose/acryl polymer-based humidification devices can usually require a few days for the humidity ...
Antique cigars9/10/2008
  Q: A few years ago my granddad passed away and we have since sat on his his small left-over collection ...
  A: That sounds like a great collection of cigars. To answer your question, there is always a market ...
Dry Cigars9/8/2008
  Q: I was given some fine cigars as a gift; however, the cigars were not kept in a humidor and ...
  A: Dry cigars with extreme peeling must be repaired first before rehumidifying them (otherwise they'll ...
aging cigars9/7/2008
  Q: I have 2 small humidors (50 ct). I keep my Dominican sticks in one and my Honduran sticks in the ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to use your existing humidors to age cigars. Some people however, prefer to ...
Seasoning Old Humidor9/6/2008
  Q: I have a 10yr old humidor that I have season 4 -5 times over the years with regular tap water. It ...
  A: The first thing you should do is thoroughly vacuum your humidor interior with a soft bristle ...
rh9/5/2008
  Q: can i leave it open until it drops? my house is the same temp in almost every room. ANSWER: Hi ...
  A: Your humidor is having a hard time maintaining humidity so re-season your humidor again and this ...
rh9/5/2008
  Q: can i leave it open until it drops? my house is the same temp in almost every room. ANSWER: Hi ...
  A: Ben, Has your humidor been seasoned yet? If yes, you may need to re-season it. 3 humidification ...
Inhale cigar smoke9/4/2008
  Q: Saw one of your previous posts about beginners not inhaling cigar smoke as that is for more ...
  A: Yes, I usually prefer to inhale the cigar smoke, especially for large cigars with extremely rich ...
rh9/4/2008
  Q: can i leave it open until it drops? my house is the same temp in almost every room.
  A: Leaving your humidor open might not work and can compromise the humidity. Do you have a basement? ...
smokig9/4/2008
  Q: one more question, should the cigar be glowing red when the ash falls off which is usually around ...
  A: Give your humidor a few days for the humidity to stabilize. Like Propylene Glycol, beads, crystals ...
beginner9/3/2008
  Q: I'm a new cigar enthusiast but my problem is that i don't know where to start. there is no reputable ...
  A: I'm not sure if you have access to Cuban cigars so I'll list both mild Cuban and non-Cuban cigar ...
beginner9/3/2008
  Q: I'm a new cigar enthusiast but my problem is that i don't know where to start. there is no reputable ...
  A: I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have on cigars and cigar smoking. I'm not ...
Humidors and Tap water9/3/2008
  Q: James, I just purchased a new humidor to add to the collection. During the charging process I ...
  A: In a un-humidified environment, a box of cellophane-wrapped cigars should keep for about 1-2 weeks ...
smokig9/3/2008
  Q: one more question, should the cigar be glowing red when the ash falls off which is usually around ...
  A: Crystal Gel, or any type of cellulose polymer-based humidification device (ie: beads, crystals, gel ...
Cohiba Esplendidos9/2/2008
  Q: I have recently returned from a sailing trip in the BVI. Whilst in transit from Antigua to Tortola ...
  A: Based on your description, these Cohiba cigars are definitely counterfeit. Cohiba is the iconic, ...
Humidors and Tap water9/2/2008
  Q: James, I just purchased a new humidor to add to the collection. During the charging process I ...
  A: If you used tap water only once to season your humidor and recharge your humidification device, it ...
Humidors and Tap water9/2/2008
  Q: James, I recently purchased a new humidor to add to my collection. I am fairly new to all of this, ...
  A: If you used tap water only once to season your humidor and recharge your humidification device, it ...
cigar suprize!9/2/2008
  Q: my gentleman friend enjoys a good Cuban cigar. With this in mind, I would like to treat him to a ...
  A: I'm not sure which Cuban brands your friend enjoys so I will list several brands by strength. Here ...
External (imbedded) analog hygrometers9/1/2008
  Q: I saw an answer you gave about a hygrometer mounted on the front of a humidor and it peaked my ...
  A: Yes, humidors with front-mounted hygrometers can also be accurate. Normally analog hygrometers will ...
smokig9/1/2008
  Q: one more question, should the cigar be glowing red when the ash falls off which is usually around ...
  A: 2 puffs a minute is perfect. It will keep the cigar burning consistently but not overheat it. ...
first humidor8/31/2008
  Q: hey, i just purchased my first humidor and im kinda confused. with what to do, every web site makes ...
  A: Absolutely. Constant relighting of your cigars can affect the cigar's natural flavours. When ...
Your Humidor 101 Guide8/31/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you could please e-mail me a copy of your Humidors 101 paper that I've seen ...
  A: I think you may be mistaken. I don't have a humidor 101 paper currently available. I am however, ...
cubanhabanoscigars.com8/29/2008
  Q: I purchased online at this site and bought myself a box of Siglo VI. When I opened the box and ...
  A: It's true, many companies/businesses will require that you return the product before they give you a ...
Humidor temperture8/28/2008
  Q: I just bought a digital hydrometer. I was told the perfect temp was 70 and 70 for hum. I am getting ...
  A: To lower the temperature in your humidor, you should move the humidor to the coolest room in your ...
Cuban or not?8/27/2008
  Q: I recently purchased some Cohiba Siglo IVs in 5-pack box's. ALL of them measure 140mm rather than ...
  A: Cigar factories are pretty strict about maintaining accurate and exact size dimensions with their ...
Cuban or not?8/27/2008
  Q: I recently purchased some Cohiba Siglo IVs in 5-pack box's. ALL of them measure 140mm rather than ...
  A: Are the gold letters embossed or raised? It's hard to tell in that picture. Genuine Cohibas will ...
humidity8/27/2008
  Q: I have a large humidor and am using 70% humidity beads from heartfelt. I have 3oz in each ...
  A: The safe range for humidity in a humidor is between 66-74% so at 67-68%, the bottom row in your ...
New humidor setup8/25/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a 100 ct glass top humidor which arrived today. It came with the analog ...
  A: The first thing you should do is test the hygrometer to make sure that it is accurate. It's ...
Wine cooler and humidity8/25/2008
  Q: I keep the cooler plugged in and let it run so it turns on quite often. I have a sensor outside and ...
  A: Ryan, You should leave it plugged in if the cooler door has an absolute air-tight seal. Leaving ...
Wine cooler and humidity8/25/2008
  Q: I keep the cooler plugged in and let it run so it turns on quite often. I have a sensor outside and ...
  A: It's true, the humidity should be 70% regardless of temperature. Don't pay attention to the ...
Wine cooler and humidity8/25/2008
  Q: I keep the cooler plugged in and let it run so it turns on quite often. I have a sensor outside and ...
  A: The safe humidity range for cigars is 66-74% humidity so as long as the humidity does not exceed ...
Buying cigars in Cuba8/25/2008
  Q: It looks like I'm heading to Cuba in a month(1st time(. I will obviously be bringing back a couple ...
  A: To answer you questions: 1/ You should always buy at Habanos SA-approved retailers or directly from ...
Mold in my Humidor8/25/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor. While seasoning mold developed. I’ve heard that I can place ...
  A: 1. Alcohol may ruin your humidification element so I would suggest that you try to thoroughly flush ...
Humi Gel bead and PG8/25/2008
  Q: Hey I just got some of that new gel-bead-stuff for my humidor. It came unhydrated as small ...
  A: Some of these cellulose polymer/gel-based humidifiers (ie: pillows, beads, gel, etc.) do not require ...
Mold in my Humidor8/25/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor. While seasoning mold developed. I’ve heard that I can place ...
  A: Freezing a humidor or cigars to stop mold isn't as effective as other mold-treating methods. Mold ...
wine cooler/humidor8/24/2008
  Q: First,Thanks for your previous answers.You've been a big help. Now,I have a desktop wine cooler ...
  A: Your cigars can still be stored in their original boxes. Cigar boxes are not 100% airtight so ...
Cigars Recommendation8/24/2008
  Q: I'm fairly new to smoking cigars and would like your recommendation for cuban cigars. I like the ...
  A: If you like Vegas Robaina, you should also try: El Rey du Mundo - Choix Supremes Saint Luis Rey - ...
tobacco beetles8/24/2008
  Q: I cant seem to find a clear answer so i thought i would pose this question here. Do tobacco beetles ...
  A: Tobacco beetle eggs are not found in every cigar. When tobacco is grown in the fields or and sent ...
Humidifier/Hygrometer Placement8/23/2008
  Q: I had a couple questions reguarding humidifiers and and hygrometers. First of all, does it make a ...
  A: Proper placement of the humidifier in your humidor is definitely important. It's always best to ...
seasoning large humidor8/20/2008
  Q: Hllo I just got a large humidor and have been seasoning it now for 2days, i dont really like the ...
  A: When using this seasoning method (using dishes instead of wiping humidor down with water), it will ...
really small bumps on cigar8/17/2008
  Q: I have yet another question. I tried a search but didnt find a similar question asked before. ...
  A: Though cigar manufacturers will try to use the best-looking wrapper leaves, sometimes the wrappers ...
Cheap cigars to gain more experience8/17/2008
  Q: Ive only been getting into cigars for about a year or so. Most of the cigars ive smoked were ...
  A: There are many cigar shops in Toronto that does sell cheaper non-Cuban cigars as well as ...
Trash a cigar with holes from beetles?8/16/2008
  Q: James, I've noticed you've advised people to throw away cigars with any signs of beetles. I've ...
  A: Yes, it can be unhealthy to smoke a cigar that has beetle holes in it. Tobacco beetles will leave ...
re genuine cigars8/16/2008
  Q: Dera james i came across your quiestion Did you go to la casa delhabanos in varadero cuba and if so ...
  A: Unfortunately, I haven't been to the La Casa del Habanos store in Varadero but I can tell you that ...
Humidity8/16/2008
  Q: My humidor which holds approx. 150 cigars (now has about 75 inside), the humidity levels keep rising ...
  A: If you remove the humidification device, it won't affect the cigars at first but eventually the ...
Pinch test for a cigar8/15/2008
  Q: Ive been getting into cigars for about a year or so... and to be honest, getting my humidor working ...
  A: Don't worry, this is perfectly normal. Cigars are usually easier to pinch at the foot because the ...
Old unopened Cohiba Esplendidos ok?8/14/2008
  Q: I am assuming they were from his last trip to Cuba, at least 10 years ago. They are sealed in their ...
  A: The first thing you will need to do is open both boxes and inspect them for mold or tobacco beetles. ...
nother humidor question8/14/2008
  Q: i was just wondering is seasoning the humidor is only a one time thing, like you only do it when ...
  A: Seasoning can be a one-time thing if you properly and constantly maintain your humidor after it has ...
first humidor8/13/2008
  Q: hey, i just purchased my first humidor and im kinda confused. with what to do, every web site makes ...
  A: It's really personal preference but it's usually recommended that you add the humidification device ...
first humidor8/13/2008
  Q: hey, i just purchased my first humidor and im kinda confused. with what to do, every web site makes ...
  A: No, you shouldn't use Propylene Glycol to season a humidor. Propylene Glycol is a hygroscopic ...
first humidor8/12/2008
  Q: hey, i just purchased my first humidor and im kinda confused. with what to do, every web site makes ...
  A: The 50/50 mixture will balance the humidity in your humidor to exactly 70%. The safe humidity range ...
Beetles and humidity8/10/2008
  Q: hope all is well. What is the cause of tobacco beetles? My humidor is currently at 74% humidity and ...
  A: When hatched, a tobacco beetle will feed and chew through the cigar so the damage would first start ...
Beetles and humidity8/9/2008
  Q: hope all is well. What is the cause of tobacco beetles? My humidor is currently at 74% humidity and ...
  A: Tobacco beetle eggs require prolonged exposure to high temperatures in order for them to incubate ...
Beetles and humidity8/9/2008
  Q: hope all is well. What is the cause of tobacco beetles? My humidor is currently at 74% humidity and ...
  A: Tobacco beetles actually appear when the humidor's temperature is too high. What happens is that ...
Hard Cigars8/8/2008
  Q: How can I get my cigars soft again? I have a plexi-glass humidor and some of my cigars are still ...
  A: The only fix for this is to let your cigars sit in your humidor - at 70% humidity - for as long as ...
Mold Growth8/8/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a Thompson humidor that holds about 50 cigars. It has two humidifiers which, ...
  A: The first thing you should do is check to make sure that your hygrometer is calibrated and accurate. ...
humidor lighting8/8/2008
  Q: I am working on a walk-in humidor in a cigar/wine lounge. I read one of your answers regarding LED ...
  A: A cigar humidor (including walk-in humidors) will operate at approximately 70% humidity (the average ...
Palette and tase8/7/2008
  Q: When reading reviews on cigars I keep seeing for example "Notes of licorice, notes of chocolate, ...
  A: When reading cigar reviews in magazines or online, its important to remember that "taste is ...
Beetles and Cubans8/7/2008
  Q: Are tobacco beetles typically only found in Cuban cigars? I've never had a non-Cuban cigar show ...
  A: Greg, Tobacco beetles can indeed be found in both Cuban and Non-Cuban cigars. Some cigar brands ...
Smoking it wrong?8/5/2008
  Q: 2 years ago I took up cigar smoking, I found most of the smokes I was having (mostly petite coronas) ...
  A: It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. Everything that you're doing is correct so it ...
Re-Humidifying8/4/2008
  Q: My uncle just sent me some Cuban cigars as a gift. He's had them for a couple years. He sent me a ...
  A: To humidify a cigar "slowly", you have to introduce a cigar at a lower humidity level - such as 60% ...
Minty taste?8/4/2008
  Q: ..have upped my cigar smoking to one or two a week from one or two a year... I'm trying expand my ...
  A: Cigars with a minty taste or aftertaste is not uncommon. Though some smokers may interpret this ...
cigar storage8/2/2008
  Q: I have a very importantI would like to buy a large humidor, I already have a humidor for 1000 cigar ...
  A: Yes, there are indeed humidor cabinets that can electronically control the temperature and humidity ...
No humidor8/1/2008
  Q: a friend bought me 25 Cohiba Siglo ll back from Cuba two weeks ago, I am new to good cigars and only ...
  A: Your best option for preserving your cigars until you purchase a humidor is to keep your cigars ...
Negitive Humidity and Cigar storage7/31/2008
  Q: I just started smoking Cigars and your sites a treasure trove of info! My question is this: I'm in ...
  A: If there is no access to distilled water, bottled water is acceptable. (Boiled tap water that's ...
lighting a cigar7/29/2008
  Q: I've tried a few different brands of cigars and sometimes I have trouble distinguishing a difference ...
  A: Incorrectly lighting a cigar with a match or a lighter can indeed affect the way your cigar tastes. ...
Old Humidor7/28/2008
  Q: I have a humidor that has gone untouched and empty for about a year. I am not sure if humidors "go ...
  A: If your humidor doesn't have mold or physical damage (that would compromise humidity and humidor ...
Cigar Mites7/24/2008
  Q: I was just reading your response to a question regarding beetles and these little white mite. Can ...
  A: Tobacco mites (not to be confused with tobacco beetles) are usually transferred to humidors from ...
strips of cedar called spills7/21/2008
  Q: James, do you know of a place that can engrave strips of cedar with a logo or something. I want to ...
  A: A really good company that does laser wood cutting, etching and engraving is "Touch of Wood". Their ...
humi7/21/2008
  Q: Ok. So I've been trying cigars for a few months so I thought it was about time to buy myself a ...
  A: The first thing you should do is thoroughly inspect your humidor for any gaps, cracks or other ...
white mould7/19/2008
  Q: Have white mould forming on my cigars on the top insert of my humidor. I have all Cuban cigars and ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is remove all your cigars from your humidor and put them in plastic ...
Searching for a cigar7/19/2008
  Q: I am searching and scouring the earth for a certain type of cigar for a close friend. She has spent ...
  A: I believe the brand your friend is looking for is called "J.G. Dill's". I know the company once ...
Siglo7/17/2008
  Q: James, I just came from visiting Lebanon, my home country, to the USA. I bought 50 sticks of Cohiba ...
  A: Yes, there are many online companies/retailers that ship Cuban cigars worldwide but many of these ...
acid cigars7/16/2008
  Q: i know its not good to mix acid cigars with others so i have a couple of humidors.my question is it ...
  A: It is safe to store different Acid cigars in the same humidor but as you mentioned, Acid cigars ...
Siglo7/16/2008
  Q: James, I just came from visiting Lebanon, my home country, to the USA. I bought 50 sticks of Cohiba ...
  A: I really appreciate it. At the moment, I can't think of any places that allows you to order extra ...
Siglo7/15/2008
  Q: James, I just came from visiting Lebanon, my home country, to the USA. I bought 50 sticks of Cohiba ...
  A: Whether or not you should keep or discard the cigar rings is entirely up to you. Keeping the rings ...
cigar store shelves7/15/2008
  Q: James, My partners and I are opening a new cigar lounge in Miami and I have two questions for you. ...
  A: Besides glass humidor display cabinets, your only other option is to build a walk-in humidor room ...
High Humidor Temperature7/14/2008
  Q: I have been trying to season my humidor for more than a week now. The humidity has come to 74% while ...
  A: To lower the temperature in your humidor, try moving your humidor to the coolest room in your home. ...
Humidor Temperature7/13/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor, which I store in my bedroom closet. The average temperature is ...
  A: At 80 degrees, any tobacco beetle eggs inside your cigars will incubate, hatch and ruin your cigars. ...
Humidor Problem7/10/2008
  Q: I purchased a small 25 cigar humidor online with all the calibrating and seasoning packages. I ...
  A: If your hygrometer is accurate and you've tried the various methods to stabilize humidity and ...
Dusty cigars?7/9/2008
  Q: Hey James. I recently bought a cab of Por Larranaga Petite Coronas. I'm pretty certain they aren't ...
  A: If the box of cigars was sealed and maintained properly before you purchased it, it may most likely ...
humidor7/9/2008
  Q: I recently received a nice humidor and seasoned it over a few days with pure distilled water. I ...
  A: The first thing you should do is make sure your hygrometer is properly calibrated. Sometimes a ...
How to store cigars in humidor7/8/2008
  Q: Am I suppose to take the cigars out of their plastic wrapper when they are inside the humidor?
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
humididors7/4/2008
  Q: I have a 50 count humidor. Im having a problem getting the humidity down. Putting cigars in the ...
  A: High humidity can still damage your cigars, regardless of the humidor temperature. To lower your ...
New to Cigar Smoking7/1/2008
  Q: I'm new to cigar smoking. I don't have a humidor yet, so how long can you keep a cigar in the tube ...
  A: Without a humidor, cigars can usually last a week before completely drying out. Neither the plastic ...
Storing/aging cigars; Part-26/29/2008
  Q: It's been almost 4 months since I got your advise on how to manage my ad-hoc tupperdors... So far so ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1. A powder-like substance on your cigars may not necessarily be mold ...
Juan Lopez6/29/2008
  Q: I just bought Juan Lopez exclusivo Francia sent to Vasco Montreal by mistake. It's a pyramides ...
  A: Cigars generally do become better with age (especially cigars with dark, oily wrappers) so it's best ...
Humidor & Xikar beads/crystals6/26/2008
  Q: I purchased a glass top, 50 count humidor a little over a year ago. I calibrated the hygrometer and ...
  A: During the salt test, it's best to put your cigars in Ziploc bags or (clean) Tupperware containers. ...
Humidor & Xikar beads/crystals6/26/2008
  Q: I purchased a glass top, 50 count humidor a little over a year ago. I calibrated the hygrometer and ...
  A: Give your humidor a few more days for the humidity to stabilize. Xikar crystals are pretty ...
De-Ionized or Destilled6/26/2008
  Q: I bought some Deionized water, is this ok to use in the humidor as an alternative to destilled?. ...
  A: You will have to check the label closely. If the water is bottled drinking water and contains ...
Humidor6/25/2008
  Q: Hey James, Charles again. I did what you said and bought a digital hygrometer and i broke the wood ...
  A: The first thing you should do is make sure that your digital hygrometer is configured properly. For ...
New Cigars6/24/2008
  Q: I have got a brand new box of 25 of H Upmann Corona. Thing is I haven't setup my humidor yet and I ...
  A: The Caliber III hygrometer does not require calibration are are extremely accurate so it's possible ...
Distilled water soaked cigars6/23/2008
  Q: I keep my Cubans in a lagre Tupperware with a baby food jar filled w/ distilled water w/holes ...
  A: What you need to do is remove the wet cigars from the Tupperware container immediately and very ...
New Cigars6/22/2008
  Q: I have got a brand new box of 25 of H Upmann Corona. Thing is I haven't setup my humidor yet and I ...
  A: No, you don't need to add a humidification device to a humi-pouch as they already have a humidified ...
feet smell - tap water.6/22/2008
  Q: I have been procrastinating getting distilled water and have been using tap water in my tubador. and ...
  A: Even though mold is not visible yet, a mildew-like smell is often a sign that your cigars are ...
New Cigars6/22/2008
  Q: I have got a brand new box of 25 of H Upmann Corona. Thing is I haven't setup my humidor yet and I ...
  A: On average, cigars can last about 1 week without a humidor and cigars wrapped in cellophane can last ...
taste of cigars6/19/2008
  Q: I've started smoking a few months ago. I've been smoking Cohibas,Montecristos,Romeo Y Julietas,H ...
  A: When reading cigar reviews in magazines or online, its important to remember that "taste is ...
Calibrating Hygrometer6/18/2008
  Q: i did the method but the results were so off that when i turn the screw it just springs back and ...
  A: Charles, Try turning the screw counter-clockwise. Also try pressing the screw inwards as you turn. ...
Calibrating Hygrometer6/18/2008
  Q: i did the method but the results were so off that when i turn the screw it just springs back and ...
  A: Hygrometer designs varies by manufacturer so you will have to contact the manufacturer and check ...
Salt test for hygrometer6/18/2008
  Q: I recently bought a humidor and I've run the salt test twice to test the hygrometer and both times ...
  A: Try adding a bit more distilled water. When blended, the salt mixture should be moist and "crumbly" ...
Calibrating Hygrometer6/17/2008
  Q: Should it be a level teaspoon or a mound teaspoon when calibrating your hygrometer?. Thanks, ...
  A: The purpose of the salt test/wet paper towel is to determine exactly how much your hygrometer is out ...
Calibrating Hygrometer6/17/2008
  Q: Should it be a level teaspoon or a mound teaspoon when calibrating your hygrometer?. Thanks, ...
  A: Yes, that is also a good method for calibrating your hygrometer. Both methods are equally effective ...
Calibrating Hygrometer6/17/2008
  Q: Should it be a level teaspoon or a mound teaspoon when calibrating your hygrometer?. Thanks, ...
  A: For the salt test, it should be approximately 1 teaspoon of table salt and a few drops of distilled ...
Is there an optimal method for drawing?6/17/2008
  Q: When I draw my cigar, I usually take 2 very short/quick puffs, followed by a 3rd long draw. And my ...
  A: Everybody has their own smoking technique but on average, cigar smokers generally take 1 short puff ...
Is it bad that I feel the need to "spit" while smoking?6/17/2008
  Q: Sorry if this is an offensive question, but I consider myself a new smoker, but not a COMPLETE ...
  A: Don't worry, it's perfectly natural to have an urge to spit when you smoke cigars. When you smoke a ...
Final question6/16/2008
  Q: i have just used alot of my distilled water solution to soak a portable humidification system to use ...
  A: Because your fingers can potentially contain natural oils or microscopic dirt and bacteria, it's ...
yet another humidor question.6/16/2008
  Q: well, as you guessed its another humidor question. Im new to the cigar world and have just bought a ...
  A: That's actually an older method that's no longer recommended because the shot glass can spill and ...
yet another humidor question.6/16/2008
  Q: well, as you guessed its another humidor question. Im new to the cigar world and have just bought a ...
  A: Yes, opening the humidor repeatedly can affect the humidity. It's best to let the humidor sit ...
yet another humidor question.6/16/2008
  Q: well, as you guessed its another humidor question. Im new to the cigar world and have just bought a ...
  A: Depending on the size of the humidor and the size of humidification device, your humidor's humidity ...
walk in humidor6/15/2008
  Q: I am building a walk in humidor for a client of mine, and I am having a hard time finding the ...
  A: It's perfectly fine if the door is not 100% airtight as the commercial humidification system inside ...
Humi-pouches6/11/2008
  Q: Mr yee Could you pls tell where to buy humi pouches (large size ) in Toronto or on line from a ...
  A: In Toronto, you can buy Humi-pouches at Thomas Hinds, Tobacco Haven, La Casa de Habanos and Sleuth ...
Humidor Humidity6/11/2008
  Q: I live in New Zealand, I recently started smoking cigars & purchased a humidor to store cigars, its ...
  A: If the humidor's humidity is already between 68-74% WITHOUT the humidification device, then you do ...
cigar storage6/8/2008
  Q: I was wondering if it would be possible to make a "humidor" or at least supplemental storage for ...
  A: Varnished cigar boxes with a heavy lid can make good temporary humidors. Cuban cigar cabinet SLBs ...
Cigar gone bad6/7/2008
  Q: I have smoked 3 1/2" Vanilla Tatiana Cigars for seven years and I love them. Recently I purchased a ...
  A: Not having seen this particular batch, I can't tell you what the definite cause is for your cigars ...
My new cigar collection6/7/2008
  Q: I have read some of the Q & A you have posted and found the information to be very helpful. I've ...
  A: When maintaining cigars in your humidor, it is important to remember that the humidity level inside ...
Humidor temp.6/7/2008
  Q: hope all is well, Quick one. My humidor (desktop model - has approx. 130 cigars right now), is ...
  A: Good news: your humidity and temperature levels are fine. For temperature, 23 degrees Celcius (73.4 ...
Temp Control6/3/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee, I know that the "best" temp/RH range for a humidor is 70degF/70%RH, and I have little ...
  A: Yes, cigar mold becomes active at 75% humidity which is dangerously close to the humidity safe range ...
travel humidor6/3/2008
  Q: I need a travel humidor very quickly and mite not have enough time to order one! So i was thinkung ...
  A: If you have a varnished cigar box with a heavy lid, it can definitely be used as a travel humidor. ...
Temp Control6/3/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee, I know that the "best" temp/RH range for a humidor is 70degF/70%RH, and I have little ...
  A: No, the temperature fluctuation that you're experiencing is not harmful to your cigars. Tobacco ...
Seasoning my humidor6/2/2008
  Q: I have had my new humidor seasoning for 24hrs. I have a 50ct with one divider a large round credo ...
  A: It's actually pretty safe to mix PREMIUM cigars of different countries or cigars with different type ...
Seasoning my humidor6/2/2008
  Q: I have had my new humidor seasoning for 24hrs. I have a 50ct with one divider a large round credo ...
  A: 74 degrees Fahrenheit and 67% RH is acceptable. Refilling your humidification device will most ...
Pinch Test6/2/2008
  Q: What exactly is the "pinch test"? What am I looking for when I pinch? How hard (or light) should I ...
  A: The pinch test (aka "squeeze test") is determine how soft a cigar is from humidification. It also ...
Seasoning my humidor6/1/2008
  Q: I have had my new humidor seasoning for 24hrs. I have a 50ct with one divider a large round credo ...
  A: At 74-76% rh, mold can begin to form so it's best to keep your humidity between 67%-73% (70% is the ...
Ideal Coolidor RH and Temperature Here in California6/1/2008
  Q: I'm not sure if you recall, but the first question I posed to you was in regards to long-term ...
  A: Regardless of humidor temperature or the natural environment, a humidor's/coolerdor's internal ...
brittle cigars5/31/2008
  Q: For some reason my cigars are dry and brittle...the humidor is at ~60-62% humidity with a temp of ...
  A: Has your humidor been seasoned yet? If yes, you may need to re-season it again in order for the ...
Cigar mold or plume?5/30/2008
  Q: I noticed a previous discussion about cigar mold vs. plume that you explained quite well. You said ...
  A: Typical cigar mold is usually blue, green or bluish-green but can also be white or gray in colour. ...
humidifier5/30/2008
  Q: I have purchased a glass top humidor. If I place my humidifier in the bottom center of the humidor ...
  A: No, placing your humidification device at the bottom of your humidor (centered) will not affect ...
Humidity doesnt make sense... this is what I did5/30/2008
  Q: I was trying to write a follow up question but says the other expert is on vacation. His response ...
  A: The first thing you should do is make sure your hygrometer is accurate. You mentioned in your ...
Cigar Ratings5/30/2008
  Q: James, Is there a (free) comprehensive online source for cigar ratings? I have tons of cigars ...
  A: Off the top of my head, I know CA's Marvin Shanken has a couple of books (not exactly sure how many ...
storing cigars5/30/2008
  Q: i do not have a humidor and recently purchased some high quality cigars.i have had them in my ...
  A: Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures such as storing your cigars in a refrigerator or freezer can ...
Cigar Ratings5/30/2008
  Q: James, Is there a (free) comprehensive online source for cigar ratings? I have tons of cigars ...
  A: CigarAficionado.com does currently allow free access to their cigar database when you register with ...
Are cubans really that good?5/27/2008
  Q: Are Cuban cigars really that good, or is it just an American ideal to try the “forbidden fruit.” ...
  A: With cigars, taste is somewhat subjective and though many people (I would say the majority) that ...
Humidor5/26/2008
  Q: I seasoned the humidor I brought back from Cuba, and guess what? The hinges came apart, then the ...
  A: I'm glad to hear you solved your humidor problem. Yeah, sometimes Cuban humidors aren't exactly ...
Davidoff5/26/2008
  Q: I have a box of Davidoff, Chateau Margaux (25 piece cabinet). They have not been kept in a ...
  A: Unfortunately, I do not handle cigar appraisals. What you should do is contact a cigar store, ...
Cohiba Siglo IV wrapper5/21/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a 5-pack Siglo IV at a cigar store in St. Martin. Unfortunately, it was not an ...
  A: Though it's not extremely common, it is possible for the same type of Cohiba cigars - from different ...
Humidors, propylene glycol, etc.5/19/2008
  Q: James, You recently answered my question regarding a metallic taste in my cigars. Firstly, thank ...
  A: It's best to start over with a new humidification device but if you prefer, you can try to clean ...
freshness5/16/2008
  Q: should you remove the plastic wrap found on some cigars before putting them in a humidor?
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
Cigars taste funny...5/16/2008
  Q: I have a fairly well stocked humidor but i unfortunately let the care fall to the wayside when i ...
  A: A stale, metallic, alkaline taste in your cigars could be the result of either using stale/old ...
P.G. in a Moist-N-Aire5/15/2008
  Q: James, I have been looking for info on whether or not to use a pg mixture with the moist-n-aire to ...
  A: The humidification pearls work the same way as the Heartfelt beads that you're using. The heartfelt ...
building a humidor out of hardwood5/14/2008
  Q: I live in Thailand and want to start making humidors here for sale in the U.S. and Canada. I have ...
  A: The exterior wood for a humidor can be any type of hardwood but for the humidor interior, it is ...
Humidor start-up5/13/2008
  Q: I'm back from the island with a humidor, the hinges are coming apart but else the construction is ...
  A: Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. When your humidor's humidity level reaches 70% and holds steady ...
Humidor humidity5/13/2008
  Q: I live in S.E.Asia (equatorial) which has high humidity year round. My hygrometer indicates the ...
  A: It sounds like your analog hygrometer is defective so definitely double check the humidity with a ...
storing cigars5/11/2008
  Q: I have a problem.The temperature in my apartment is too warm all year- above 23' Celsius - there ...
  A: The only humidors that are capable of controlling the temperature and humidity electronically are ...
Raising humidor humidity5/10/2008
  Q: I am having a hard time raisig my humidity level indise my humidor from 66%. Ihave about 150 cigars ...
  A: LCDH Toronto is a great shop (so is Thomas Hinds which is not far from LCDH). Just another quick ...
Humidor humidity5/9/2008
  Q: I live in S.E.Asia (equatorial) which has high humidity year round. My hygrometer indicates the ...
  A: The first step you should take is to check your hygrometer and make sure that it is calibrated and ...
mold or bloom?5/9/2008
  Q: I'm still confused to whats mold and bloom! Looking at my cigars i have two differnt types of things ...
  A: Mold is thick and fuzzy in appearance and appears in random patches. Just like mold on spoiled ...
Cohiba Siglo VI and Genios5/7/2008
  Q: i recenlty was in lebanon bought one box of coiba genios and one box of cohiba Siglo VI from the ...
  A: Yes, the Siglo 6 is considered stronger than the Genios. Even though you don't smoke many cigars a ...
Cohiba Siglo VI and Genios5/7/2008
  Q: i recenlty was in lebanon bought one box of coiba genios and one box of cohiba Siglo VI from the ...
  A: Does your tongue feel sore or feel like it stings from a cut? If yes, the discomfort you feel on ...
lighter and cutter in humidor5/7/2008
  Q: I am new to cigar smoking and bought my humidor not long ago... It may sounds laughable but - My ...
  A: Yes, you can definitely keep your lighters and cutters in your humidor and your cigars will not be ...
leave cigars in original box or not5/6/2008
  Q: i have a big humidor that i built using spanish cedar wood interior and the drawers are made of ...
  A: Whether or not to keep the cigars in their original boxes is purely personal preference. Cigar ...
Solo5/4/2008
  Q: You give a negative review on a company you have never bought a single cigar from. Are you such an ...
  A: Mark, Just to let you know, you are incorrect. I have never reviewed any company or mailorder ...
Humidor wood4/29/2008
  Q: I recently bought a Cuban made humidor, Ritos, on-line. The description of the product said "cedar" ...
  A: Red Cedar is not used in humidors because it is extremely pungent. The wood is so pungent that the ...
Plastic Travel Humidor4/28/2008
  Q: a lot of questions for you i got this plastic travel humidor im trying to lesson my wieght while ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to not have Spanish cedar in your travel humidor however you must monitor ...
Cigar Courtesy4/28/2008
  Q: Sorry to ask you so many questions however i love to do things the right way and be educated from ...
  A: Whether or not you should remove the band is now optional. You're right, in some parts of the ...
yellow spots4/28/2008
  Q: my cuban montes&romeos have developed some tiny dark yellowish spots about 1mm in diameter,my ...
  A: Dark yellow spots doesn't sound like tobacco beetles but it may be either plume/bloom or cigar mold. ...
Setting up a humidor using a digital hydrogmeter and a Paradigm System PSH 2 humidifier4/28/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a digital hydrogemeter and Paradigm PSH 2 humdifier (50 count) to use in my ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1. Your humidification device (Paradigm PSH2) should be placed in the ...
Cigar Bitter taste in tongue4/28/2008
  Q: i usually smoke hoyo Epicure 2 - paratgas No4 - Vegas rohbina Unicos in the morning as for the ...
  A: Here are the larger Edicion Limitada cigars that have been released within the past 3 years: 2006 ...
Recharging PG (what ratio PG vs. water) ?4/26/2008
  Q: I have read much about using a 50/50 mix of PG and distilled water, but I am unsure about how to ...
  A: Yes, as Propylene Glycol loses its "potency" over time, the humidity will noticeably increase. When ...
Cigar Bitter taste in tongue4/25/2008
  Q: i usually smoke hoyo Epicure 2 - paratgas No4 - Vegas rohbina Unicos in the morning as for the ...
  A: Here are all the Cohiba cigars that have a ring gauge larger than 48: Cohiba Robusto (50 ring) ...
Cigar Bitter taste in tongue4/25/2008
  Q: i usually smoke hoyo Epicure 2 - paratgas No4 - Vegas rohbina Unicos in the morning as for the ...
  A: Amr A. Seoud, The bitterness that you taste from your cigars is not from aging but instead from the ...
Royal Habanos4/24/2008
  Q: I have read your reply on the Costa Rican "Royal Habanos". Unfortunately I had ordered and paid for ...
  A: Usually a visual examination will be enough to spot out a counterfeit cigar. Here's what to look ...
rehydrating cigars4/22/2008
  Q: James, I've recently inherited the Upmann Millenium cigar set. The cigars are all in good shape, no ...
  A: If your cigars are "bone dry" and extremely fragile, it's best to start them out at 65% and increase ...
Storing Cigar in 16-18 deg celcious and not 70 Ferhnhit which is 22 Celcious4/21/2008
  Q: I store my cigar as instructed in all Cuban boxes 16-18 Ceclious and 65-70% humidity ,just can't ...
  A: seoud, Though people all over the world may store their cigars at different temperature levels, 70 ...
Aging Cigars4/21/2008
  Q: I have managed to build a humidor 2.5 meter by 1.5 meter of wood to keep my cigar aged (it can take ...
  A: seoud, Some cigars can slightly (VERY slightly) change colours when they are aged but their wrapper ...
Buying cigars online or at a store4/21/2008
  Q: James, I was wondering if you have an opinion about buying cigars online. Is it worth it to look ...
  A: I actually prefer buying locally or in person rather than buying online as there is less buyer's ...
hygrometer4/20/2008
  Q: I'm a little confused about hygrometers and the Max-Min?? I mean if the reading is 70% if you press ...
  A: Digital hygrometers have a Max and Min button so it can show you what the highest humidity reading ...
Tower humidor and moist-n-aire4/19/2008
  Q: I am in the process of upgrading/consolidating my cigars in to tower-style humidor cabinet witj a ...
  A: Though a humidor can indeed be fully seasoned within half a day, it is usually advised that you ...
humidor problem4/17/2008
  Q: I've been start smoking cigar since last september!!! Still newbie, but like all my hobbies that i ...
  A: A faint aroma of cigars is common with most display cabinet humidors because the door(s) rarely have ...
Humidor Tempreture4/16/2008
  Q: We all heard that the humidity needs to be ideally 70% mark, however i read a lot about the ...
  A: Yes, humidors should have an internal temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (hence the ...
Basic4/16/2008
  Q: I believe you have helped me with some questions in the past-thanks in advance for reading this. I ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1. Yes, it's always best to season your humidor before you use it. By ...
Humidifier4/15/2008
  Q: I have recently acquired a humidor in which I have put a small black humidifier which appears to ...
  A: The best time to recharge your humidification device is when the humidity in your humidor begins to ...
Humidor Humidity4/15/2008
  Q: i recently bought a 100 cigar humidor, and currently it has been seasoning for the past 2-3 nights. ...
  A: If your humidity is currently at 75%, stop seasoning your humidor for now and allow it to sit empty ...
high humidity4/11/2008
  Q: I just bought a Madelline humidifying device and am using it in a Tupperware container. I have about ...
  A: Tupperware containers (or "tupperdors") tend to have high humidity because of the [almost] air-tight ...
aging cigars4/11/2008
  Q: I just got back from Cuba and brought back a box each of Montecristo #2, Petit Edmundo, and Bolivar ...
  A: Though it's optional, many cigar collectors prefer to leave their aged cigars untouched in their ...
wood4/10/2008
  Q: I'm on my way to building a walk in humidor in my store.Is there any other type of wood, inplace of ...
  A: Spanish cedar is recommended because it can properly absorb and regulate humidity, deter bugs and ...
cuban?4/9/2008
  Q: I just received several boxes of different sealed “Cuban” cigars dating from 06 to 08. The tax seals ...
  A: I know some genuine boxes of Cuban cigars were reported to have some inconsistencies/problems with ...
cuban?4/9/2008
  Q: I just received several boxes of different sealed “Cuban” cigars dating from 06 to 08. The tax seals ...
  A: Based on the descriptions, it sounds like the cigars are authentic BUT there is always a chance that ...
Proper Storage of Factory Sealed, Unopened Cigar Boxes4/9/2008
  Q: My question focuses on proper storage of factory sealed and unopened cigar boxes. Like all my fellow ...
  A: For long-term storage of whole boxes, storing your cigar boxes in humidified Ziploc bags will ...
Box pressed4/2/2008
  Q: I just recived my box of monte's No2 that i bought online and i noticed the lid was bending inwards, ...
  A: What you can do is remove the cigars from the box and let them age in your humidor for as long as ...
Humidor mold4/1/2008
  Q: Despite the fact that I (poorly) read the instructions on how to set-up my humidor, I decided to ...
  A: The first step is to immediately remove all your cigars from your humidor and thoroughly inspect ...
Proper cigar storage4/1/2008
  Q: James, I've not had any problems in storing my cigars in the humidor I have but I've been ...
  A: The best option for storing whole boxes of cigars without investing too much maintenance, time or ...
Cuba3/28/2008
  Q: I have a friend of mine who's going to Cuba. He's going to bring me back some cigars. What should I ...
  A: By "novelties", do you mean limited edition cigars and humidors? Habanos SA releases annual, ...
Cuba3/28/2008
  Q: I have a friend of mine who's going to Cuba. He's going to bring me back some cigars. What should I ...
  A: In terms of cigar authenticity, the safest precautionary measure your friend can take while in Cuba ...
just wondering3/28/2008
  Q: it says in youre profile that youre writing a book on cigars for beginners. When can we anticipate ...
  A: I'm putting the finishing touches on the book and if all goes well, it will be out later this year; ...
Makeshift Humidor3/27/2008
  Q: James, Recently I went in on a purchase of Don Diego and H. Upmann cigars with a friend of mine. I ...
  A: Until your friend gets a humidor, the best option for him to store his cigars is to use a ...
Humdifaction Devices3/20/2008
  Q: I buying a new humidification device and wanted your opinion on what's the best brand/type to buy? ...
  A: For humidification devices, there really isn't any difference in functionality so it's just a ...
Oasis or Crystal3/20/2008
  Q: I have 2 humidors, 1st one bought in Sept07 and the 2nd Jan08. 1st using a large Rectangular oasis ...
  A: Both humidors are performing well because they are properly maintained. To answer your question, ...
Velcro on the humidification device3/20/2008
  Q: James, I have just started smoking cigars a few months ago and have fell in love with them, so I ...
  A: You can just reattach the humidifier with velcro again. If the velcro has loosened and separated ...
Too many humidification devices?3/15/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a 50 count humidor for the cubans I purchased. I purchased the Madelaine ...
  A: Adding a secondary humidification device can indeed boost the humidor's humidity to a more proper ...
hoyo hundura vs hoyo cuba3/12/2008
  Q: I've noticed that the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a popular brand, but i only have the ...
  A: Cigars that use "Sixth Priming Ligero" tobacco are usually cigars that have rich dark wrapper leaves ...
hoyo hundura vs hoyo cuba3/12/2008
  Q: I've noticed that the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a popular brand, but i only have the ...
  A: Yes, there's a difference between Cuban tobacco and Non-Cuban tobacco. The Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey ...
Aging Cigars3/12/2008
  Q: I was just wondering what brands of cigars are best for aging and how long before they will be ready ...
  A: Whether they're Cuban cigars or Non-Cuban cigars, the best cigars for aging are medium to ...
humidification device3/11/2008
  Q: James, I have my humidification device on the lid of the humi. Should I move it. If so, this means ...
  A: It's perfectly fine to store cigars of different brands/countries together. If you prefer, you can ...
My cigars are swelling3/11/2008
  Q: My cigars swelled. I couldn't figure out why my boxed shaped cigars were rounding out. Then ...
  A: No, it's best to start with 50/50. After you've added the 50/50 mixture, allow your humidor to sit ...
Best cigar shops in Toronto3/10/2008
  Q: Sort of a local question as I know your from the area. What are the best cigar shops in the GTA?
  A: In Toronto, the best shops are: La Casa Del Habanos Thomas Hinds Sleuth & Statesman Tobacco Haven ...
Strong cubans and a mold problem3/10/2008
  Q: Yee, I'm a cigar smoker based out of Bangalore, India who has been hooked on to cuban cigars for ...
  A: To answer your questions: A. If you are looking for full-bodied, mainstream Cuban cigar brands, I ...
My cigars are swelling3/10/2008
  Q: My cigars swelled. I couldn't figure out why my boxed shaped cigars were rounding out. Then ...
  A: Yes, remove your cigars from the Ziploc bags. Keeping your cigars in the bags will prevent your ...
My cigars are swelling3/10/2008
  Q: My cigars swelled. I couldn't figure out why my boxed shaped cigars were rounding out. Then ...
  A: No, you will not lose any flavour or quality in your cigars but if your cigars continue to swell, ...
partagas or?3/9/2008
  Q: I just came back from the partagas factory in havana and they gave me 2 free cigars after buying ...
  A: Your mystery cigars are most definitely Robusto-sized but without any cigar bands, it's hard to tell ...
Humidor Humidity3/7/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee, First of all, I've been reading a lot of your answers to other cigar aficionados and ...
  A: It's possible that the glass top is causing the problem. Some humidors with glass top lids have ...
Persistant moldy odor in humidor3/7/2008
  Q: I have a large Savinelli humidor (upright, glass door, 5 shelves and room for a couple boxes below). ...
  A: A "musty" odor inside your humidor is actually a natural and common occurrence with most humidors. ...
Aging Cigars over a year3/4/2008
  Q: It's been a while since my last question but I was wondering how I can tell if my cigars are aging ...
  A: The amount of plume that develops depends entirely on the tobacco used in the cigar. A dark, oily ...
small walk-in humidor2/29/2008
  Q: I am designing a walk-in humidor in my client's Bel Air, California residence. I have done some ...
  A: Yes, considering the small size of the walk-in humidor, it can be very easy for the humidity to ...
Cohibas2/29/2008
  Q: I was recently in Cuba (I'm Canadian) and puchased 25 siglo III and 25 siglo IV. I have been ...
  A: The packaging sounds spot on but I tend to overlook the packaging details now because counterfeiters ...
Storing/aging cigars2/27/2008
  Q: I keep my cigars in their original wood boxes--some SLB's, some 2 layer "presentation boxes" in ...
  A: If your cigars feel a bit dry, you can slightly increase the humidity to something more to your ...
Mold?2/27/2008
  Q: I recently received a new humidor as a gift. I followed the instructions for "proper use" when I ...
  A: If the substance is contained within (or growing on) the humidifier, then it is most likely mold ...
Top 10 smokes2/26/2008
  Q: I tried 3 saint luis rey Regios cab of 50 and then bought a box of 25, But they just dont taste the ...
  A: The reason why your dress box of Regios taste different than your cabinet box of Regios could be the ...
Humidor Re-Seasoning2/26/2008
  Q: James, Seasoned a new humidor (150 ct). Damp sponge and humidification devices (2-4oz Humistat ...
  A: Is your hygrometer properly calibrated? Conduct a salt test on the hygrometer and see if it reads ...
humidor behavior during winter2/25/2008
  Q: I live in Toronto. Our winters are cold and very dry. My humidor works fine 9 months out of the year ...
  A: Don't worry, this is quite normal and many people do experience this humidity drop with their ...
Single Cohiba2/22/2008
  Q: I was given a Cohiba cigar that looks to be an Esplendido by the measurements. It is in a glass tube ...
  A: As far as I know, Cuban Cohiba cigars are not packaged in glass tubes so if the cigar has a Cuban ...
Montecristo from D.R.2/21/2008
  Q: Yee, I have the possibility to buy an unopened box of 25 Dominican Montecristo numero uno for 75$ ...
  A: To answer your question, Dominican Montecristos will not taste like Cuban Montecristos. D.R. ...
cuban cigars illegal or not2/19/2008
  Q: are true cuban cigars really illegal to the u.s or aren't they. If they are then why. If there not ...
  A: Cuban cigars are indeed considered illegal in the United States. They're illegal because of the ...
Cohiba Robusto2/19/2008
  Q: I recently had a friend go to Jamaica and she brought me back a couple of cigars. The one I have a ...
  A: It's really hard to determine a cigar's authenticity without visually examining it, inside and out. ...
humidity level2/19/2008
  Q: I currently have a humidor with about 50 cigars in it, My humidity level is around 78-80, is that ...
  A: Your humidor's humidity should not exceed 74% humidity. (67-74% is the safe range for your cigars ...
Soft when pressed2/18/2008
  Q: Just wanted to ask that some of my cigars can be soft when pressed, it springs back to shape, so are ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1/ If the cigar springs back to shape, then it is perfectly fine. ...
Knowledge/Info about pluming cigars2/18/2008
  Q: Greetings James, I'm pretty new to the cigar world, but I have some questions regarding pluming ...
  A: Cigar plume/bloom typically occurs on cigars that have very oily wrappers. The natural oil in the ...
seasoning humidor2/14/2008
  Q: i just got my first humidor and i was wondering how often you have to season it. i was also ...
  A: Normally, you only need to season your humidor just once but if your humidor eventally becomes bone ...
Humidity2/13/2008
  Q: Does the number of cigars affect the humidity? I just bought a humidor and now I have 20 and still ...
  A: What you should do is make sure your cigars do not crowd your humidification device inside your ...
Unravelling2/11/2008
  Q: This is a quirky one. Why do cigars unravel when the uninitiated light te wrong end? The logic of ...
  A: It's hard to explain this without visual aids but I'll try my best... When rolling a cigar, the ...
Aging cigars2/11/2008
  Q: Is there any advice on what a person is to do when aging single cigars? This is what I usually buy ...
  A: When aging single cigars, what you can do is keep your cigars organized by age and assign them ...
Temporary storage2/10/2008
  Q: I have just been out a bought a single Romeo Y Julieta No. 3 Cigar. I am looking at smoking it in ...
  A: Yes, keep the cigar in the cigar tube. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause a cigar to ...
Temporary storage2/10/2008
  Q: I have just been out a bought a single Romeo Y Julieta No. 3 Cigar. I am looking at smoking it in ...
  A: If you do not own a humidor and are planning to smoke the cigar within a week, you can just keep ...
Varying humidity readings2/8/2008
  Q: I have bought a new 75 cigar capacity Adorini humidor and have been seasoning it for the past week ...
  A: To answer your question, external environment humidity and temperature can indeed affect the ...
Humidor room - removing odors2/8/2008
  Q: I am a property manager for a strip mall. One tenant had a cigar store with a walk in humidor room. ...
  A: An electronic ozone air purifier will most definitely remove all residual odors within a few days. ...
Blue Mold2/5/2008
  Q: I am a new cigar collector. I just brought back 2 boxes of Romeo Y Julita No 1 back from Cuba 2 ...
  A: Cigar mold is often thick and fuzzy in texture and grows in random patches. It looks a lot like the ...
molded cigars2/4/2008
  Q: If you have molded cigars and they are the exspensive ones can they be salvaged and what happens if ...
  A: If you discover the mold growth early, there is a chance for your cigars to be saved. The first ...
de-mineralized water2/4/2008
  Q: I was told I can put de-mineralized water into a compartment in the box the cigars were in from ...
  A: suefenyves, When maintaining cigars, it is very important that you only use either 100% distilled ...
Cuban internet stores2/3/2008
  Q: James...Have you or do you know anyone that has had any experiences with cigarsofhabanos.com, ...
  A: Unfortunately, I have never shopped with any of those retailers before so I can't comment on them. ...
keeping fresh2/2/2008
  Q: having trouble keeping my humidor above 60% humidity. what i was wondering if i could turn my old ...
  A: First, if your humidor has not been seasoned yet, you should season it immediately and this should ...
Humidor Humidity2/2/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee, First of all, I've been reading a lot of your answers to other cigar aficionados and ...
  A: Because digital hygrometers are more accurate than analog hygrometers, it’s always best to trust ...
my humidor problems2/2/2008
  Q: i was givin a humidor box for x-mas, it came with its typical humidor elements. I was in florida ...
  A: Yes, that's correct. If hygrometer reads 68% after the salt test, then it is 7% out of sync so ...
Good cigar books2/2/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any good cigar books. Of course, I'm still waiting on yours ...
  A: I’m glad you picked up Min Ron Nee’s book. Without a doubt, it’s the ultimate book on Cuban cigar ...
Cigar store reccomendation2/1/2008
  Q: My anniversary is coming up in a week and were currently living at a hospital in San Francisco ...
  A: I've always liked that name) I'm not very familiar with the San Francisco area (I'm actually in ...
www.Cubanhabanoscigars.net2/1/2008
  Q: I purchase box of Montecristo Robustos from www.CubanHabanosCigars.net on 1/12/08 and have yet to ...
  A: Unfortunately CubanHabanosCigars.net has developed a reputation of having poor customer service and ...
Csonka Digital Hygrometer2/1/2008
  Q: Mr. Yee: Recently, I purchased a Csonka digital hygrometer. The company claims that the hygrometer ...
  A: To answer your questions, I know of Csonka hygrometers and it's a reputable brand but I've never ...
Wood Mites1/31/2008
  Q: I have seen wood mites on cigars from a vendor recently. I know these are not tobacco beetles as I ...
  A: Wood/tobacco mites are indeed very harmless and while they have been known to feed on the vegetable ...
Calibrating a Built-In Hygrometer1/30/2008
  Q: I just purchased my first humidor and I have begun the seasoning process. I've been humidifying the ...
  A: The first thing you should do is check with the documentation (if any) that came with your humidor ...
Purchasing cigars in Jamaica1/30/2008
  Q: I hope you can help me, I have friends going to Jamaica, and I am hoping to get them to bring me ...
  A: I'm not very familiar with cigar stores in Jamaica but what I can do is give you the contact info ...
freshness of cigars1/28/2008
  Q: Is it best to take cigars out of cellophane wrappers before putting into humidor?
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
rejuvinating1/27/2008
  Q: I was given a gift from a Canadian friend. They are cuban cohibas and the box was sealed. When I ...
  A: To answer your question, it is definitely possible to restore dry cigars. If you own a humidor, ...
Humidity level1/26/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a new humidor and seasoned it following the directions from one of your ...
  A: The first thing you need to do is make sure your hygrometer (if analog) is accurate and properly ...
Favorite?1/24/2008
  Q: My favorite cigar has to be the Cohiba. I like to keep my individuality, but what is your favorite, ...
  A: My favourite Cuban brand is Partagas. Partagas is my favourite brand because I love the strong ...
cigar draw1/23/2008
  Q: mister James Yee, thank you for your previous answer about cigar investment. I told you I was ...
  A: Even those your Vegueros may seem tightly rolled, it's possible that they might actually be OK so ...
cigarellos1/22/2008
  Q: I am relatively new to the fun world of "stogies". I have been keeping a modest supply of stock in a ...
  A: To answer your question, it's perfectly fine to store cigarillos in your humidor along with your ...
humidification1/19/2008
  Q: I have a humidor that is about 12"H X14"D X20"W. I have a cigar oasis keeping it humified and ...
  A: More frequent humidity loss during the winter months is pretty common and rather than adding a ...
Humidifier Mold1/19/2008
  Q: I recently received a new 200 count humidor as a gift. I Filled the humidifiers (2) with distilled ...
  A: That is definitely a form of mold. What you should first do is make sure that your hygrometer is ...
New humidor and Oasis1/19/2008
  Q: I just purchased a new Oasis XL and a new 120 cigar humidor. The humidor comes with a large ...
  A: Whether or not you should remove it is entirely up to you. Most people prefer to remove it for ...
cigar investment1/17/2008
  Q: James, first of all, congratulations on your hobby, passion and expertise, you make me jealous!!! ...
  A: Cigars and cigar smoking is not just a hobby to me but also a strong passion and serious endeavour. ...
seasoning a new humidor1/15/2008
  Q: What is the best way to season a new humidor? I have read conflicting articles regarding wiping ...
  A: Either method is perfectly fine. I personally prefer to spray and wipe down the humidor because ...
cigar storage1/13/2008
  Q: I will be getting a couple of boxes of cigars and do not know where I will be storing them as my ...
  A: It's perfectly safe to keep your cigars in their original cellophane wrappers and cigar tubes while ...
old cuban cigars1/11/2008
  Q: I am cleaning on a very old house. And we have found several old boxes of Cuban Cigars. They are ...
  A: Unfortunately, I do not provide cigar appraisals and cannot even give a ballpark figure without a ...
old cuban cigars1/11/2008
  Q: I am cleaning on a very old house. And we have found several old boxes of Cuban Cigars. They are ...
  A: If the cigars or the cigar boxes are not damaged in any way, they can definitely be sold to ...
Hygrometer & Solutions1/11/2008
  Q: I hope this finds you well. A couple quick questions if you please... First, how do you feel about ...
  A: To answer your question, pre-mixed humidifier solutions are very effective and useful; especially if ...
Humidor Emergency1/6/2008
  Q: I have two humidors, both were expensive and I went through a patient breaking in process with them, ...
  A: It sounds like your humidity is a bit too high (due to the humid Tampa environment) so what you ...
White Mold on Humidifier1/5/2008
  Q: I use a humidor that holds about a hundred cigars and noticed white mold on the outside on the ...
  A: White mold is usually an indication that the humidity inside your humidor is either too high or that ...
Trip to Cuba - Cigars1/3/2008
  Q: James, I read your profile and some of your answers and I'm certainly very impressed with your ...
  A: Igor, Cuban rum, cognac, mojitos, icewine and port goes incredibly well with cigars. For ...
Trip to Cuba - Cigars1/3/2008
  Q: James, I read your profile and some of your answers and I'm certainly very impressed with your ...
  A: Yes, Fonseca is definitely one of the mildest brands in Cuba. Other premium Cuban brands that are ...
A few novice questions1/1/2008
  Q: Hey there, let me first say I'm a novice when it comes to cigars, so forgive me if i sound like an ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1/ Tap water can actually ruin a humidor as the water has mineral ...
Problem?12/30/2007
  Q: I recently purchased a new Diamond Crown humidifier and mistakenly added a 50/50 solution. After ...
  A: First, it's perfectly common for a humidor's humidity to temporarily dip and peak after it has just ...
Legitimate Cuban Cigar Distributors12/27/2007
  Q: James, I've read a number of your responses to varied questions regarding legitimate cuban cigar ...
  A: To answer your question, authorized Habanos SA distributors do keep a list of authorized retailers ...
Placement of humidifaction device in glass top humidors12/27/2007
  Q: Hey- Just wondering were is the best place to stick the humidification device in a glass top ...
  A: Yes, placing the humidification unit at the side(s) is perfectly fine. You may also place the ...
Bead/Gel questions12/21/2007
  Q: As far as Gel beads and crystal beads go, when using them in a humidification device, is their any ...
  A: When using gel or bead-based humidification devices, you do not need to add Propylene Glycol or a ...
Cuban Cigar12/19/2007
  Q: I received a cigar as a gift. The band has a gold R on a circular field of red (possibly maroon) ...
  A: That cigar is a Vegas Robaina "Don Alejandro" double corona. The brand "Vegas Robaina" (pronounced ...
Ready To Smoke Cigars12/19/2007
  Q: I recently bought several different kinds of single Cuban smokes in hopes of finding a few that will ...
  A: All premium Cuban cigars do taste great straight out of the box. It's true that aging cigars does ...
mold on wood, not cigars.12/18/2007
  Q: I had mold on the dividers that are in top tray of my humidors.The dividers were very close to the ...
  A: While you are cleaning your humidor(s), you can also place the humidification devices in another ...
CIGAR DIST12/18/2007
  Q: I have am interested in selling cigars and am trying to find a cigar distributor. Can you advise of ...
  A: To distribute Cuban cigars, you will need to contact Habanos SA and find out which authorized ...
Internet buying12/18/2007
  Q: I am always looking on line to get a good deal on cubans. I live in Ab Canada and I am hoping that ...
  A: I have not ordered from cigarchief.com/cigar-smoke.com before but it's true, Native Reserves do not ...
Building a walk-in humidor12/17/2007
  Q: I have a liquor store and my cigar sales have increased gradually.I'm now ready to venture into ...
  A: You can contact a contractor but if you’re interested in building the cigar room/walk-in humidor ...
Feelings brought about from cigars12/16/2007
  Q: I have been an off and on(mostly off) cigar smoker since i was in 8th grade, back then I thankfully ...
  A: If you inhale cigar smoke, then it's not uncommon for you to feel light-headed. Cigar smoke can be ...
Bidest water12/14/2007
  Q: Where can one purchase double distilled water? I live on a tropical island, and the quality of our ...
  A: Double-distilled water can be found at most pharmacies/drug stores, supermarkets and chemistry ...
Moldy Cigar, Strange Situation12/13/2007
  Q: I'm not sure where to go with this. I found little mold spores on my Romeo y Julietta tubed cigar. I ...
  A: If the packet you used to calibrate your humidifier contains Propylene Glycol, what you should do is ...
Follow-Up Question12/10/2007
  Q: your answer was of inavuable help. I had one last question I hoped you could help me with. I checked ...
  A: While reputable cigar companies do tell the truth to maintain their brand(s) reputation, it’s not ...
cuban cigars12/10/2007
  Q: Have you any information of a website called World Habano selling cuban cigars out of costa rica? ...
  A: I'm sure there are online reference guides/sources for properly identifying genuine Cuban cigar box ...
cuban cigars12/9/2007
  Q: Have you any information of a website called World Habano selling cuban cigars out of costa rica?
  A: I have not ordered from the before but I have been told that they are absolutely NOT legitmate. If ...
Cigar Questions12/9/2007
  Q: Could you please tell me, do mass-market or machine made cigars need to be humidified? I usually ...
  A: To ensure that the cigars taste fresh, burn evenly and have flavour, all PREMIUM machine-made cigars ...
My first box...12/9/2007
  Q: I have only been smoking cigars from Aug07 and had few different cigars, But i've only bought ...
  A: If you’re sure the shops are all reputable and genuine, then the only thing you need to look for ...
Loss of CIgar Flavor12/8/2007
  Q: I seem to be finding that my (quality) cigars tend to not be as flavorful after they have been in my ...
  A: Yes, insufficient humidity can actually cause a cigar to taste bland. The more dry a cigar is, the ...
Loss of CIgar Flavor12/8/2007
  Q: I seem to be finding that my (quality) cigars tend to not be as flavorful after they have been in my ...
  A: Cigars can actually soften and mellow in flavour and strength the longer they're aged. If you have ...
Cuban Cigar Date12/8/2007
  Q: On a recent trip to Cuba I purchased a few different brands of Cuban Cigars in 5 packs to test ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1/ Unfortunately, it's not possible to determine the age of the cigars by ...
cigar freshness12/5/2007
  Q: I have a box of CAO commemorative cigars still sealed in the plastic wrap. they are Fabrica de ...
  A: Even though the box of cigars are still sealed in plastic wrap, they can lose moisture over time. ...
Moldy Cigar, Strange Situation12/4/2007
  Q: I'm not sure where to go with this. I found little mold spores on my Romeo y Julietta tubed cigar. I ...
  A: Mold is usually white, off-white, blue, green or bluish-green in colour. It forms in random ...
Slightly Damaged Humidor12/3/2007
  Q: James - I've read through many many posts on this board and haven't found anything relevant. I ...
  A: A split in a corner joint can actually worsen over time and split even further so it's important ...
Storing different brands of cigar together12/3/2007
  Q: I have recently purchased many kind of cigars which includes ( Montecristo , Cohiba , Trinidad , ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly safe to store different brands of Cuban cigars in the same humidor. In fact, ...
quality humidors12/1/2007
  Q: first off, just want to say thanks for all of you answers to the many questions out there. I know ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1/ Inexpensive humidors usually does means cheaper quality but this ...
online purchasing of cuban cigars11/30/2007
  Q: I recently purchased two boxes of cuban cigars from Puro Express. I looked for a water mark which is ...
  A: Gardu, I have not ordered from PuroExpress.com before but I know people that have and they seem ...
storing cigars11/28/2007
  Q: i was recently give a box of Cohiba's as a gift, but do not have a humidor. is there an alternative ...
  A: What I recommend is that you keep your box of cigars in a "humi-pouch". Humi-pouches are basically ...
hygrometers11/27/2007
  Q: I purchased a new hygrometer and put it in humidor.then i calibrated the old one it was accurate ...
  A: Kurt, What you should do is double check to make sure both hygrometers are accurate and properly ...
cigars11/21/2007
  Q: I have some cigars that have like green stain patches on them and i'm wondering if this is normal or ...
  A: Cigar mold is usually in the form of thick fuzzy patches (much like mold that grows on spoiled ...
humidors & cigar oasis11/19/2007
  Q: then there is a seprate drawer on the bottom that is about 4 " deep X 12 X 18. The oasis works great ...
  A: If you add a 50/50 propylene glycol and distilled water mixture, the humidity will balance out at ...
humidors & cigar oasis11/19/2007
  Q: then there is a seprate drawer on the bottom that is about 4 " deep X 12 X 18. The oasis works great ...
  A: Based on the humidor dimensions you mentioned, the cigar oasis should be more than enough to ...
Salivation when smoking cigars11/16/2007
  Q: Mr. Yee, When I smoke cigars, I have the often distasteful habit of salivating a great deal, ...
  A: Having the urge to constantly spit while smoking is not an uncommon problem. This usually occurs ...
Cigar prices in different locations11/14/2007
  Q: Could you tell what would be the price differences for buying a box of decent quality Cuban cigars ...
  A: Prices can greatly vary by country. For example, a genuine box of 25 Montecristo #4 (petit corona) ...
mail order cigars11/13/2007
  Q: I was hoping you had some information about whether certain retailers sell genuine habanos. I have ...
  A: Michael, I have not ordered from these websites but I do know people that have and they seem very ...
humidity/temperature in cold climate11/9/2007
  Q: I live in Scotland, and it's quite chilly here at the moment. I keep my humidor in a room without ...
  A: It may be possible that your larger cigars (the brittle ones) are not receiving enough humidity; ...
humidity/temperature in cold climate11/9/2007
  Q: I live in Scotland, and it's quite chilly here at the moment. I keep my humidor in a room without ...
  A: Michael, Here’s an excerpt from ASC cigar group’s FAQ that explains how low temperature should not ...
humidity/temperature in cold climate11/9/2007
  Q: I live in Scotland, and it's quite chilly here at the moment. I keep my humidor in a room without ...
  A: The humidity in your humidor MUST be between 69-73% humidity, regardless of humidor temperature. ...
Humidor11/7/2007
  Q: I would like to know how to maintain humidity of humidor to 70% during winter months. During the ...
  A: As the weather gets colder, the indoor temperature of your home will increase and this can greatly ...
Internet buying11/4/2007
  Q: I have a collection of around 500 or so cigars, all cuban. I do not collect as an investment more ...
  A: To answer your questions: 1. It’s perfectly fine to keep cigars of varying wrapper shades together ...
humidity/cigars10/29/2007
  Q: I have recently comeback from Cuba with 200 cigars, incuding 75 Splendidosand 50 Montecristo Number ...
  A: Akhil, The amount of veins on a wrapper leaf doesn't mean anything. Typically tobacco leaves used ...
Smoking machine10/28/2007
  Q: This will undoubtedly be the most bizarre question you will ever receive. When I smoke a cigar I ...
  A: Yes, this is definitely a bizarre question but I think I have the answer that you’re looking for. ...
Cuban Cigars for my Wedding10/24/2007
  Q: I am getting married in Bermuda next Summer. I would love to buy a great bottle of Scotch and some ...
  A: The most popular Cuban cigars to hand out at weddings are Montecristo #4, Romeo y Julieta Mille ...
Humidor humidity10/24/2007
  Q: after your help last time I am back with another question! I bought a humidor and followed the ...
  A: What you should do is add a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol (PG) and distilled water to your ...
dried out cigars10/24/2007
  Q: I recently came across a box of Romeo y Julieta no.1 cuban cigars dated 2003. They are still in ...
  A: Dry cigars – no matter how old or dry they are - can definitely be saved. What you should do is ...
Cohiba Cuban cigars10/22/2007
  Q: Long story short I have 1 box Cohiba Panetelas (5) and 1 box Coronas (10). I want to get what I paid ...
  A: eBay forbids the sale of tobacco on their website and will automatically flag and remove auctions ...
cigar ageing10/21/2007
  Q: I am asking the best way to age cigars if it is in the boxes they come in, or take them out of the ...
  A: When aging cigars, it’s personal preference as to whether or not you should remove the cigars from ...
How do you know if you're inhaling cigar smoke10/17/2007
  Q: So over the past year and half now, I've been smoking cigars and I knew right away that your not ...
  A: Cigar smoke is a strong irritant so the first sign that you’re inhaling smoke is usually a gag ...
Montecristo #2 box10/15/2007
  Q: I have a box of Montecristo #2 with the tiendas intur stamp but no date stamps or factory stamps at ...
  A: That’s an interesting box. “Tiendas Intur” boxes are usually intended for sale within the Cuban ...
Ghurkha Grand Rreserve10/15/2007
  Q: I just returned from a Caribbean cruise and brought back 6 Gurkha Grand Reserve Robustos. They are ...
  A: Flavoured cigars, especially ones that have a powerful aroma, can indeed infuse their scent onto ...
humidity/cigars10/15/2007
  Q: I have recently comeback from Cuba with 200 cigars, incuding 75 Splendidosand 50 Montecristo Number ...
  A: Storing cigars in a regular cabinet would not be the best option. Even if the natural environment ...
Disputing charges10/14/2007
  Q: I was unlucky enough to order from CubanHabanosCigars.net, and when I received a suspicious box of ...
  A: After you’ve emailed the merchant, what you should do is wait a few days and give ...
Storage questions10/10/2007
  Q: I have recently been to Cuba and returned with a number of cigars - some are just in Aluminium tubes ...
  A: For now, storing your cigars in the humi-pouches while they’re in their original cigar tubes and ...
humidores10/9/2007
  Q: I recently returned from Cuba with some nice cigars, Cohiba , Monte cristos and Romeo y julieta's. I ...
  A: The good news is that the temperature in your humidor is perfect so the only thing we need to focus ...
cohiba esplendido III10/6/2007
  Q: i bought a case of esplendido III from a reliable source in Cuba, and though im not an expert, i do ...
  A: Don’t worry, an irregular burn is not a definite sign that your cigars are fake. A lot genuine ...
humidity level in humidor10/6/2007
  Q: I've put my cigars in a large plastic container, with a tight fitting lid. I've got the Caliber III ...
  A: This is a common problem when storing cigars in plastic storage containers or Tupperware containers. ...
canadiancigar.com10/6/2007
  Q: James, Have you heard of this company, Canadian Cigar Company, at the above website. I am planning ...
  A: I have not ordered from Canadiancigar.com before but according to their website, they are an ...
San Cristobal de la Habana10/4/2007
  Q: I've just started to get into smoking cigars seriously and have started to sample various brands. I ...
  A: I absolutely love San Cristobal cigars. My favourite size is the La Fuerza. San Cristobal de La ...
Puro Express10/4/2007
  Q: I recently purchased a box of 10 Montecristo Petit Edmundos from PuroExpress.com. I am trying to ...
  A: I have not ordered or sampled cigars from puroexpress.com before but I do know a few people that ...
Fake Cuban Cigars sold individually10/2/2007
  Q: I just want to know are real Cuban cigars sold individually and if so are they wrapped individually?
  A: Yes, genuine Cuban cigars can be sold and wrapped individually but it would depend on the brand and ...
Baby Cigar - It's Girl!9/27/2007
  Q: I like cigars, but never got educated in them, but have had some nice ones; cuban, philipino, ...
  A: When handing out cigars to celebrate the birth of a child, it’s always important to hand out cigars ...
store humidor9/25/2007
  Q: james my partner and I are opening another cigar lounge.we are considering an idear that we saw in ...
  A: Building an enclosed walk-in humidor isolated from the lounge/bar would definitely be the best ...
Keeping cigars fresh9/23/2007
  Q: My mother purchased 2 very expensive Cuban Cigars, for my husband, for his Christmas present, from ...
  A: What you can do is store your cigars in something called a "humi-pouch". Humi-pouches are basically ...
Plume9/21/2007
  Q: My neighbor has asked me to be more considerate with my cigar smoking as the "plume, and foul ...
  A: Visibility-wise, it is very unlikely that your cigar’s smoke plume would remain intact and drift 75 ...
Storing cigars cheaply9/19/2007
  Q: I am just a beginner cigar lover. I just today, bought a tin of some sugar-tipped hand-rolled cigar ...
  A: Not wanting to invest in a humidor is perfectly understandable so there are inexpensive cigar ...
ordering cubans online9/18/2007
  Q: I have found a site on the internet called Go2cubancigars, and it says that they deliver any where ...
  A: Yes, I’ve been told that international packages are screened more often; especially if the contents ...
ordering cubans online9/17/2007
  Q: I have found a site on the internet called Go2cubancigars, and it says that they deliver any where ...
  A: When ordering cigars through mailorder, there is always a 50/50 chance that you may have to pay ...
Mold or Bloom?9/13/2007
  Q: One of my cigars appears to have developed a grayish-green substance to the foot of the cigar (the ...
  A: , Bloom/plume is typically dust-like in appearance. It’s often off-white or grey in colour, very ...
Habano Wrapper9/6/2007
  Q: I have seen cigars listing Habano wrappers which are quite dark; are these the same as maduro? What ...
  A: In the Cuban cigar industry, there really isn’t a “Habano wrapper” on the wrapper shade scale. The ...
Bad batch9/6/2007
  Q: I got a cabinet of 25 Hoyo de Monterrey Flor Extrafina in Dubai a couple of weeks ago and as soon as ...
  A: Whether or not you are able to return the cigars is entirely up to the store so check your purchase ...
Varadero, Cuba9/4/2007
  Q: Just wondering if you have been to Varadero, Cuba and bought cigars there. I am going to Varadero ...
  A: There's a La Casa Del Habanos (LCDH) shop in Varadero. Here's the address: LCDH - Varadero c/63 y ...
Cigars I may enjoy - Camacho Nacionales8/31/2007
  Q: I'm new to the cigar world, and have happened across one that I enjoy very much. Based on my ...
  A: I enjoy Camacho cigars as well and think you might like Padron's 2000/3000 line as well as Hoyo ...
NECESITO INFORMACION8/28/2007
  Q: I HAVE 2 BOXES OF COHIBA ESPLENDIDOS CUBAN CIGGARS AND I WILL LIKE TO SALE IT, I NEED TO KNOW HOW OR ...
  A: Juan, The best method of selling your Cuban cigars is to sell them privately. Visit NYC cigar ...
cuban question8/24/2007
  Q: I know i hae asked a similar question before but you seem to know alot about it have you heard ...
  A: I haven't ordered from TopCubans.com yet but a lot of people have and proudly vouch that the company ...
cohiba siglo I8/24/2007
  Q: I recently smoked one of these and was just so much better than what i have smoked in the states. ...
  A: Here are my top 10 all-time favourite non-Cuban cigar brands: 1. Fuente Opus X 2. 1964 Padron ...
Rejuvenate cigar8/24/2007
  Q: I have had a Romeo y Julieta churchill en tubo (in the metal tube) for a little over a week. Do you ...
  A: Cigars in cigar tubes normally begin to become dry after one week if left out of a humidor. What ...
cohiba siglo I8/24/2007
  Q: I recently smoked one of these and was just so much better than what i have smoked in the states. ...
  A: It's really hard to find a Dominican equal to the Cuban Cohiba Siglo line. Of course, taste is ...
New Humidor8/22/2007
  Q: I just bought a humidor to store my cigars in. I do not have a hygrometer. How do I know that the ...
  A: You will definitely need to buy a hygrometer. Without a hygrometer, there's really no way of ...
mold prevention8/20/2007
  Q: I have a large cabinet humidor cigar oasis plus XL humidifier (refillable, using distilled water ...
  A: Aside from Propylene Glycol (which will stabilize the humidity), there really isn't any type of ...
mold prevention8/20/2007
  Q: I have a large cabinet humidor cigar oasis plus XL humidifier (refillable, using distilled water ...
  A: Mold tends to form in humidors and on cigars when the humidor's humidity is greater than 75% so the ...
humidor construction8/19/2007
  Q: I am a furniture maker with 34 years experience, but have never built a humidor until now. I will ...
  A: Humidors typically don’t use a moisture barrier between the interior cedar and exterior wood so what ...
Davidoff Cuban Cigars8/18/2007
  Q: I have some genuine Davidoff Cuban cigars which were part of my late father's collection. They date ...
  A: There are always collectors interested in vintage Cuban cigars; especially Cuban Davidoffs. What I ...
cuban prices8/18/2007
  Q: James how much would you say was an acceptable dollar amount for a box of cuban cigars to very from ...
  A: Jim, This may sound complicated but I’ll try my best to explain it so bear with me. A slight dip ...
cigar feel8/18/2007
  Q: james, what is the difference with a cigar that feels very tight like its packed so tight its ready ...
  A: The difference between a hard cigar and a soft cigar is the way the cigar is rolled. All premium ...
Humidor concerns8/17/2007
  Q: I'm getting a little concerned with my humidor. I have had bugs in the cigars once before and it was ...
  A: The ideal environment for a humidor is “70/70”; 70% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. (75 degrees ...
cigars8/17/2007
  Q: James have you head of or know anything about this site. It looks real but one never knows, right ...
  A: Cuban cigar mail-order companies normally remove the bands and box so that American buyers are ...
cigars8/16/2007
  Q: James have you head of or know anything about this site. It looks real but one never knows, right ...
  A: I haven't ordered from that website before but I know a few people that have and they say that the ...
Cuban Montecristo's8/15/2007
  Q: James, I acquired an unopened Box(25) of MONTECRISTO, PETIT TUBOS. My question is; Does the box ...
  A: It’s perfectly fine to leave the box sealed. The box and cigar tubos are not airtight so your ...
Walk-in humidor8/14/2007
  Q: I have a room that is 12x13 with a 17' ceiling that is maintained at a constant temperature of ...
  A: Lowering the ceiling would definitely be more energy-efficient in terms of humidifying and ...
info on cigar store8/14/2007
  Q: James can you provide any info on the following cigar shop CubanHabanosCigars.net I have searched ...
  A: I actually do very little cigar mailorder because there's usually very little buyer protection - ...
info on cigar store8/14/2007
  Q: James can you provide any info on the following cigar shop CubanHabanosCigars.net I have searched ...
  A: I haven't ordered from CubanHabanosCigars.net before but I know that they ship their cigars from ...
New humidor humidity at 60%8/14/2007
  Q: I purchased a new humidor (150 cigars, cedar wood 3 drawers, "spirit of st. louis" brand, analog ...
  A: If your humidor does not need to be seasoned, then what you can do is add a 50/50 mixture of ...
Cuban Cigars8/13/2007
  Q: James thank you for the reply. Last question, I have traveled to the islands and I have been to ...
  A: Here are some things you can do to protect yourself when buying Cuban cigars: - Habanos SA ...
newest LE cuban cigars8/10/2007
  Q: James: I received today 2 boxes of EL 2007 cigars, 1 Hoyo Regalos & 1 R&J Escudos. The box code on ...
  A: I don’t recognize those factory codes but because these two boxes of cigars are fairly new (they’re ...
Cigars left in sun8/10/2007
  Q: Rookie mistake i admit! I left the humidor in a spot were the sunlight would hit it and i forgot ...
  A: There's really not much you can do now but let your cigars sit in your humidor and slowly re-adjust ...
Hygrometer question8/3/2007
  Q: I purchases the Madeline Super Thin Digital. I was wondering if I do in fact switch it on/off ...
  A: Digital hygrometers can indeed be left on continuously. Even if you leave the hygrometer on, the ...
dominican cigars7/30/2007
  Q: I recently went to the dominican republic and purcahsed Dominican Republic Cohiba Esplendido ...
  A: I'm not sure which version of Dominican Cohibas you purchased but there is a story behind the ...
Restoring old cuban cigars.7/29/2007
  Q: my name is Carlos. My uncle brought back from Cuba a small box of cigars that I have saved in the ...
  A: I would recommend that you eventually buy a humidor for proper cigar storage but for now, the ...
CIGARS PRODUCED FOR SALE W/I CUBA7/26/2007
  Q: James: A follow up Q to my earlier one. I checked the bottom of the box and see to production ...
  A: You did the right thing by contacting your credit card and disputing the charges. We need to put ...
CIGARS PRODUCED FOR SALE W/I CUBA7/25/2007
  Q: James: A follow up Q to my earlier one. I checked the bottom of the box and see to production ...
  A: I’m going to quote the merchant’s email in my response: They wrote: "For the codes it simple in ...
CIGARS PRODUCED FOR SALE W/I CUBA7/25/2007
  Q: James: A follow up Q to my earlier one. I checked the bottom of the box and see to production ...
  A: Unfortunately, I think you may have been duped as the box has two conflicting boxcodes. "EUN-FEB ...
CIGARS PRODUCED FOR SALE W/I CUBA7/25/2007
  Q: James: I just received a box of Cohiba robustos and on the bottom of the box, in an ink stamp, is a ...
  A: That ink stamp is legitimate. The ink stamp indicates that the box of cigars is for sale at the ...
Humidor is reading 60% humidity constantly7/25/2007
  Q: I recently asked you about setting up a new humidor. I diligently seasoned the wood, added the 50/50 ...
  A: First, see if you can add more distilled water to the humidification device. If you’re using a ...
Humidor7/25/2007
  Q: I just received a box of J.L.. Salazar Torpedo cigars and they are individually wrapped in plastic. ...
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers (or ...
Newbie advice please :-)7/23/2007
  Q: I wonder if you would have any special advice for a complete newbie about to try her first cigar :-) ...
  A: First, congratulations on what sounds like a great trip to Cuba! I’m glad to hear you were able to ...
Humidors7/19/2007
  Q: I just bought a Zino Acrylic Humidor and was wondering if I can put Spanish cedar in the Humidor? I ...
  A: Yes, it's perfectly fine to put Spanish cedar in your acrylic humidor. In fact, the Spanish cedar ...
Cuban Cigars Produced for Cuban Sales7/19/2007
  Q: James: I recently read an article in cigar encyclopedia about the ranking of cuban cigar vendors ...
  A: I’m not familiar with this sticker (but I haven’t purchased cigars in Cuba in a few years now so I ...
Cuban Cigars Produced for Cuban Sales7/19/2007
  Q: James: I recently read an article in cigar encyclopedia about the ranking of cuban cigar vendors ...
  A: Cuban cigars produced for sale within Cuba will have a transparent, Cuba-exclusive hologram on the ...
Humidor Glue?7/17/2007
  Q: I have a problem with a humidor where I cannot attach the credo to the roof of the humidor, where it ...
  A: You can apply some double-sided tape to the back of the velcro strip and it should hold quite ...
Humidor Glue?7/17/2007
  Q: I have a problem with a humidor where I cannot attach the credo to the roof of the humidor, where it ...
  A: Because your credo may need servicing/maitenance in the future, it's best to not use any type of ...
Humidor7/17/2007
  Q: I see that I should use a 50/50 mix of distilled water and solution for my humidifier. I need to ...
  A: The first thing you should do is check any documentation that came with your humidor or ...
cellophane7/16/2007
  Q: If cellophane is good for a cigar then why is it that I have never seen a Cuban cigar with ...
  A: Actually, Cuban cigar companies do indeed wrap some of their cigars with cellophane but this ...
Cigar Preservation7/13/2007
  Q: Mr. Yee, what is the longest length of time that a cigar can be preserved in a humidor? I realize ...
  A: Though a cigar's flavour would eventually mellow over years of aging, a cigar can be preserved ...
New Humidor7/11/2007
  Q: I have a new humidor just delivered to me. It has a sponge type humidifier, but came with crystals, ...
  A: The plastic housing for the humidification device should open. Simply open the plastic housing and ...
New humidor dried out my cigars7/11/2007
  Q: I just got a new humidor. I broke it in like I was told by charging the humidifier with distilled ...
  A: This problem is quite common and often occurs in humidors that have not been fully seasoned (ie: ...
New Humidor7/11/2007
  Q: I have a new humidor just delivered to me. It has a sponge type humidifier, but came with crystals, ...
  A: Congratulations on your new humidor. The first thing you must do is make sure the humidor is ...
merchant from Costa Rico7/11/2007
  Q: James: Like many out there, I am always looking for the best deals on Cuban cigars. Unfortunately, ...
  A: I personally have not ordered from CubanHabanosCigars.net [yet] but I know several people that have ...
merchant from Costa Rico7/10/2007
  Q: James: Like many out there, I am always looking for the best deals on Cuban cigars. Unfortunately, ...
  A: EDIT 1/10/11: Please note that the official Habanos distributor for Costa Rica and Nicaragua has ...
Cubans from Cuba7/10/2007
  Q: I recently had someone bring me back some cigars from Cuba. This guy has been there before and ...
  A: Cigars purchased in Cuba without any seals on the packaging could mean that the cigars were not ...
Sick after cigar smoking7/6/2007
  Q: Well, tonight I had smoked my first cigar. I had smoked with my father in a relaxed setting. About ...
  A: Cigar sickness is often temporary nausea (very short-term vomiting and feeling lightheaded) and ...
humidity level7/5/2007
  Q: How are you doing? I have a question which is need for your advise. before my humidor has 75% RH ...
  A: After adding PG to your humidor, you will need at least 1 to 2 weeks for the humidity to stabilize ...
Cuban Cigars7/1/2007
  Q: What are the countries where Cuban cigars are legal. I will be in the Orient very soon. ANSWER: ...
  A: The best (and safest) method to store cigars without a humidor is to purchase a "humi-pouch". ...
Cuban Cigars6/30/2007
  Q: What are the countries where Cuban cigars are legal. I will be in the Orient very soon.
  A: Cuban cigars are legal in every country except the United States (due to the US/Cuba Trade Embargo). ...
Humidor troubles6/26/2007
  Q: Mr. Yee, First off, thanks for the hours of research you have saved me. I know this because I ...
  A: I enjoy hearing from fellow cigar smokers and it’s comments like yours that makes my day. In ...
Cohiba Esplendidos6/24/2007
  Q: I am a novice cigar aficionado and I have a question. A client of mine gave me a 25 box of ...
  A: 99.9% of the time, counterfeit cigars are safe to smoke. The only difference between counterfeit ...
Cohiba Esplendidos6/24/2007
  Q: I am a novice cigar aficionado and I have a question. A client of mine gave me a 25 box of ...
  A: Unfortunately, those Cohiba Esplendidos are indeed counterfeit. Cohiba does not package any of ...
Soft Cigars6/22/2007
  Q: I have a humidor and I have noticed that the cigars that are not in plastic wrappers are becoming ...
  A: The first thing you should do is check to see if your hygrometer is still properly calibrated. If ...
Plastic Wrappers on Cigars6/17/2007
  Q: I often go to Philippines to go scuba diving. I often bring back some of their local cigars which I ...
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
humidor circulation6/16/2007
  Q: I bought a humidor a couple of months ago it is called The Enthusiast it has two trays that lift ...
  A: Typically, larger humidors (400+ capacity) will work best with an electronic humidifier – such as a ...
ria cigars6/12/2007
  Q: i viewed a recent question involving "ria" cigars. my father also gets these foil covered cigars ...
  A: Rea cigars (the brand is often mispelled by people as being "Ria") are low-end cigars made in Canada ...
How to Relight a Cigar6/9/2007
  Q: My cigars frequently go out due to pauses in smoking. Is there a method of caring for or smoking ...
  A: To keep your cigar lit while smoking, the general rule of thumb is to take at least one full puff of ...
Best humidor for the price6/6/2007
  Q: James, I have recently been buying a good amount of cigars and I usually have around 75-100 in my ...
  A: I don't own any Craftsman Bench humidors myself but I know a couple of people that do and they swear ...
Uncontrollable Humidity Levels6/4/2007
  Q: I wrote about 2 weeks ago inquiring how to bring down my humidity and temp levels. I originally ...
  A: Yes, definitely move your humidor to a cooler room; away from a window or direct indoor light source ...
Uncontrollable Humidity Levels6/4/2007
  Q: I wrote about 2 weeks ago inquiring how to bring down my humidity and temp levels. I originally ...
  A: Tony, First, check your digital hygrometer's instruction manual to see if it requires calibration. ...
fake cuban?5/26/2007
  Q: James, Have you ever heard of a Partagas Serie D No 5? ANSWER: Hi Craig, A Partagas Serie D 5 did ...
  A: One of the clear signs of a true vintage cigar would be the appearance. The cigar(s) would look ...
hello again5/26/2007
  Q: James, I noticed a post that you made where you spoke of a Spanish Cedar tray that keeps your cigars ...
  A: Brass nails should do the trick as they won’t rust and at best, will simply tarnish over the years. ...
Cuban Cohiba Esplendidos5/24/2007
  Q: Hope you're well. I've recently returned to Ireland from Cuba where I purchased a box of Cohiba ...
  A: Cohiba is the most counterfeited Cuban cigar brand in the world and yes, there are definitely levels ...
Need suggestions please5/22/2007
  Q: Been reading your posts for many weeks now and I appreciate the wealth of information you have to ...
  A: Some great non-Cubans that I like to recommend are Padron 2000/3000, Macanudo Maduros, Hoyo de ...
Need suggestions please5/21/2007
  Q: Been reading your posts for many weeks now and I appreciate the wealth of information you have to ...
  A: 1. For the next step for a novice smoker, I would suggest that you continue to build your cigar ...
How to bring humidor humidity down?5/21/2007
  Q: I had an analog hygrometer that was consistently staying at %70 humidity. After reading that digital ...
  A: It sounds like you might not have enough Propylene Glycol in your solution. The initial dosage ...
Roaina vs Monte Cristo5/19/2007
  Q: I was on the island last week. I tasted a Robaina Famosos. A quite good cigar to my taste. Since I'm ...
  A: long time no write. ;) I'm happy to hear that you visited Cuba last week. As for Vegas Robaina... ...
box of cuban cohibas5/18/2007
  Q: i have a box of cohiba esplendidos that has a glass top. i have read a bunch of stories online that ...
  A: Unfortunately, your Cohiba cigars are indeed fake. The reason why they're definitely fake is ...
Mail/web order Cigars in Canada5/15/2007
  Q: I've got my humidor running PERFECTLY, thanks to you, and I am looking to expand my cigar selection. ...
  A: Glad to hear your humidor is working perfectly now. As for cigars, because cigar prices are so high ...
cigar storage5/10/2007
  Q: I recently went to Cuba and of course I had to pick up some cigars. I don't have a humidor but I've ...
  A: The cedar in your tupperdor must be natural and untreated "Spanish cedar" and not any other type of ...
Opus X5/7/2007
  Q: I've heard that these "opus X" cigars are very good. The place near my house sells these cigars for ...
  A: Fuente Opus X is made by Arturo Fuente and it is their flagship cigar. The cigar is produced in ...
Hoja cigars5/5/2007
  Q: I just got as a gift about 15 small Hoja yellow label cigars, each cigar is about 3 inches long. I ...
  A: Hoja Yellow Label cigars are Cuban-seed cigars but are in no way considered "authentic Cuban ...
Humidors5/4/2007
  Q: So I am looking to buy my first humidor and I have no idea what I need or what I should be looking ...
  A: No problem, I'm glad to help and you can ask as many questions as you want. If you can't finish a ...
Humidors5/4/2007
  Q: So I am looking to buy my first humidor and I have no idea what I need or what I should be looking ...
  A: What you can do is purchase a "Humi-Pouch" to store your cigars until you buy a humidor. ...
2006 cfcf humidor5/2/2007
  Q: i just bought the 2006 cfcf humidor. i was wondering who its made by. it says its made in china, ...
  A: "CFCF" stands for "Cigar Family Charitable Foundation" and this 2006 limited edition humidor was ...
Humidor Problems4/30/2007
  Q: I have a 100ct humidor that's been seasoned using the spray down method for 5 days until it was ...
  A: It definitely sounds like the humidity is leaking out due to the faulty construction so you'll need ...
Worms in the Humidor4/30/2007
  Q: I own a Humidor closet 100/64/54cm with 7 drawers. Today after years of using it I discovered cigars ...
  A: The holes are actually created by tobacco beetles when the humidor's temperature is too high. Do ...
Humidor Problems4/30/2007
  Q: I have a 100ct humidor that's been seasoned using the spray down method for 5 days until it was ...
  A: 68% to 73% humidity in your humidor is considered the safe zone for storing cigars so as long as ...
First cigar4/30/2007
  Q: Hey James, I have been wanting to try cigar smoking for quite a while - but we don't have a real ...
  A: Calixo Lopez is a low-end cigar brand produced in the Philippines and the brand itself is rather ...
Dry cigars4/28/2007
  Q: Is there anything that can bring back the moisture level in a cigar once it has dried out I have ...
  A: To restore your cigars, all you need to do is let them sit in your properly-maintained humidor (at ...
Humidors4/28/2007
  Q: So I am looking to buy my first humidor and I have no idea what I need or what I should be looking ...
  A: When buying a humidor, avoid buying online from places like eBay. Always try to buy locally because ...
St Martin4/27/2007
  Q: I vist St Martin in the caribbean every year and have bought numerous cohiba siglio 111 and enjoyed ...
  A: If you're buying your cigars from authorized "Habanos SA" retailers such as "La Casa Del Habanos" ...
humidity level4/27/2007
  Q: I am living in Vietnam,I have a new humidor, I did followed the steps to seasoning humidor. ...
  A: The humidity in Vietnam can be quite high (average 80-85% during the warmer months) so what I ...
Macanudo Vin. 20004/24/2007
  Q: I've had a Macanudo Vintage 2000 for about a month now. It came in a glass tube with a cork ...
  A: For short term aging (ie: if you plan on smoking the cigar within a year), removing the cigar from ...
High Humidity4/23/2007
  Q: I have a 50ct humidor that I am having a hard time keeping the humidity down where I want. I have ...
  A: You may want to try a 50/50 propylene glycol mixture again but this time, add a bit more propylene ...
Mixing Fresh and Dry Cigars4/19/2007
  Q: I have finished seasoning my 100ct humidor and have loaded it with some nice Cuban cigars I got as ...
  A: The green spots is actually the result of the tobacco leaves being stained by water during the ...
Mixing Fresh and Dry Cigars4/18/2007
  Q: I have finished seasoning my 100ct humidor and have loaded it with some nice Cuban cigars I got as ...
  A: It’s quite possible that your dry cigars may absorb much of your humidor’s humidity at first but ...
Humidity level ok cigars still hard4/18/2007
  Q: I Purchased a Cuban Crafters humidor "seasoned" it, (didn't wipe down) I tried the 50/50 solution ...
  A: Because it's only been a week, you should let your cigars sit in your humidor for one more week and ...
72 to 694/17/2007
  Q: is the oasis cigar humidifier a good system to use for this mini cabinet of mine.? oh and thanks for ...
  A: A 3 degree drop in humidity is not bad so you can go ahead and change the humidity immediately. If ...
Problem w/ Humidor4/16/2007
  Q: Hey James, I just got this nice humidor and I followed all the instructions that it came w/ to get ...
  A: The humidifier with the 50/50 mixture should be enough to create 70% humidity inside your humidor so ...
Tuppadors...4/16/2007
  Q: My Humidor doesn't hold the quantity of cigars I require. I want to age my cigars and buy in bulk. ...
  A: As long as your container has a good seal (to prevent dirt, dust and bugs from getting into your ...
Cigar storage4/16/2007
  Q: I use a humidor with a capacity of about 25 cigars. At any one time I have between 10 - 15 cigars. ...
  A: It's totally optional and safe for you to keep your cigars in their original plastic wrappers and/or ...
Sickness4/14/2007
  Q: I am petrified of being sick...I have smoked a small hamlet cigar before but not the whole thing. I ...
  A: Cigar sickness is often temporary nausea (very short-term vomiting and feeling lightheaded) and ...
Hygrometer mold4/14/2007
  Q: Now based in HK and added distilled water to hygrometer 2 weeks ago. Reading in humidor 60-65%ish ...
  A: To remove mold from your humidor, first remove your cigars and store them in a safe container such ...
Problem w/ Humidor4/13/2007
  Q: Hey James, I just got this nice humidor and I followed all the instructions that it came w/ to get ...
  A: When you're using a new humidor for the first time, it's important to remember that it will take a ...
Propylene Glycol Solution4/13/2007
  Q: I've got my Humidor nicely seasoned now and I have purchased one of the madalines gell humidifier ...
  A: One dose of Propylene Glycol will definitely last a long time (usually a year) so just sdd one ...
Humidor Questions4/12/2007
  Q: I just recently bought a used thirty count humidor. I seasoned it overnight and it seemed to be ...
  A: If your cigars were dry to begin with and you added a lot of cigars to your humidor, then it's very ...
re rare cigar4/12/2007
  Q: It is very old around world war 1 or 2. It comes in a case marked tour du mond. It is a very large ...
  A: Unfortunately, I don't specialize in vintage cigar appraisals at all but what you can do is contact ...
Recieved a Used Humidor4/10/2007
  Q: I recently recieved a humidor from a friend that has a glass top but it looks like the glass is ...
  A: Non-Cuban cigars grown with Cuban seeds can be quite good... if you find a good batch. These cigars ...
Recieved a Used Humidor4/10/2007
  Q: I recently recieved a humidor from a friend that has a glass top but it looks like the glass is ...
  A: Hard water spots can easily be removed with a sponge and dish washing soap diluted with warm/hot ...
Using a humidor4/9/2007
  Q: When using a humidor to store cigars, should I keep the cigars in their orignal cellophane wrappers ...
  A: It's optional and totally safe for you to keep your cigars in their original cellophane wrappers ...
Looking for a type of cigar4/8/2007
  Q: I am looking for a cigar and don't have a clue what I am looking for. My best friend in the ...
  A: That name doesn't really sound familiar. The name sounds like it could be "Jimenes" and there is a ...
mold in humidor4/5/2007
  Q: I recently discovered mold in my humidor. I use a Cigar Oasis electric humidifier that keeps it at ...
  A: Your humidor can definitely be saved. To remove the mold from your humidor, what you need to do ...
royal jamaica cigars4/5/2007
  Q: I found a wooden box of royal jamaica cigars (coronitas) in the attic. I really don't know how old ...
  A: First, I would like to provide you with a bit of history about Royal Jamaica cigars: This cigar ...
The "Right Cigar"4/4/2007
  Q: I finding myself becoming fond of cigars. Since I am a beginner, I want to know what is a good cigar ...
  A: For a beginner, the best type of cigar you should start out with is a mild to medium-bodied cigar. ...
types of cigars3/20/2007
  Q: What is a trenzado I heard its 3 cigars braided together is that real? my buddy says he has 1, is it ...
  A: Jose, A 3-braided cigar is called a "Culebra" (snake), not a trenzado. Culebra cigars do exist. ...
Looking for a brand3/20/2007
  Q: Someone gave me four Don Antonio cigars that were in individual black boxes and they were wrapped in ...
  A: That description doesn't sound very familiar. The name "Don Antonio" is actually used by several ...
flavored cigars3/19/2007
  Q: I like smoking both flavored and none flavored cigars I would like to know if its ok to keep them in ...
  A: Flavored cigars can not be mixed with your other (more expensive) premium cigars. Flavored cigars ...
proper care of humidor3/19/2007
  Q: Holla (hello), greatings from mexico. Is it true that cigars from veracrus mexico are equal or ...
  A: There are indeed some Mexican cigars that I can think of that can be comparable to Cuban cigars in ...
In the Box or out, that's the question.3/14/2007
  Q: Now do I know if I have a beetle? what do they look like and what do they do.I have just received my ...
  A: What happens is that a lot of cigars can and do carry tobacco beetle eggs (I know, it's a disgusting ...
In the Box or out, that's the question.3/13/2007
  Q: I have just received my new humidor and installed the Moist-N-aire as you reccommended. Works great. ...
  A: Whether or not you should keep your cigars in their original boxes is purely optional and personal ...
CIGARS3/12/2007
  Q: i;m looking to buy a humidor that holds around 400 cigars or more. (commerical) ? what do you think ...
  A: Jose, Because there are literally hundreds and hundreds of humidor designs in every shape, size and ...
CIGARS3/11/2007
  Q: HOW DO YOU KEEP THE CIGARS- EXAMPLE(SOFT,SPONGY,FRESH,)I HAVE A HUMIDOR, I KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED,I ...
  A: If the temperature inside your humidor is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (68 to 73 degrees) and around ...
old cigar box3/2/2007
  Q: It is a Rio- Tan box Class E Series lable 25 cents 1954. Factory No 1796-PA. I was wandering where ...
  A: Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to do antique cigar appraisal so what I recommend is that you check ...
cigars3/1/2007
  Q: a friend just gave me 6 cuban cigars but I don't have a proper humidor.What's the best way to store ...
  A: As an inexpensive alternative to owning a humidor, what you can do is purchase a neat little item ...
Costa Rican retailer2/27/2007
  Q: Have you ever heard of Royal Habanos? They are displaying the Habanos Seal on their web site. ...
  A: Unfortunately, I have not heard of Royal Habanos before. I just checked out their website and ...
Ageing Hoyo DCs2/24/2007
  Q: I've just bought a JUL 06 box of Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas. I had to smoke one straight out ...
  A: Absolutely! Hoyo doubles will definitely get better with age; especially if you have a batch with ...
Humidifiers2/22/2007
  Q: I have just received my new humidor. It is a display cabinet type holding some 1500 cigars. I am ...
  A: The Oasis II XL is very effective and would suit a 1500 count humidor very well. I know several ...
setting up the humidor2/18/2007
  Q: I get how to season and stabilize the humidor, but what do you do with and how often do you put the ...
  A: Simply add distilled water to your humidification device when your cigars begin to feel dry or your ...
Rehydrating a dry cigar2/16/2007
  Q: James I was recently given an opus X Reserva D' Chataeu. Unfortunately it was placed in a unseasoned ...
  A: Michael, Unless you're in an absolute hurry to smoke the cigar, it's not necessary to flash hydrate ...
cuban cigars2/14/2007
  Q: Mr, Yee Fist of all, I would like to thank you for being so prompt and knowledgable concerning my ...
  A: Squeezing out the tight spot in a cigar can indeed loosen the draw. Simply smoke the plug