Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 10/11/2007

Question
My parents were cleaning out my great grandmother's house and came across an old box of cigars. They are Wm. Penn Panatelas. Nobody in my family knows for sure how old they are, but they believe that they were given to my great grandmother and great grandfather as a wedding gift when they were married around 1926. They do not appear to be a high quality cigar, so i'm not expecting something great to smoke, but if i leave them in my humidor long enough, is it possible to "bring them back to life"? they are individually wrapped and very dry, but i see no signs of anything else wrong with them. I did attempt to smoke one right out of the box (just to see), but it was so dry and brittle it was near impossible. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Andy,
The cigars can be rejuvenated by keeping them in a humidor. It'll take a long time, maybe several months, but the will eventually absorb humidity all the way through and be smokeable. There is a good chance that they will have taken on a musty or even dusty taste since they were stored in an uncontrolled environment for so long, but the only way you'll know is by trying them. Contrary to what other cigar guys might tell you, I'd keep them in the cellophane wrappers during the re-humidification process. Taking them out would allow too much moisture to be absorbed by the wrapper too fast causing it to wrinkle and possible even break. Be patient, let them sit until the are lightly soft when you squeeze them and then enjoy them, regardless of their quality (they may be really good!).