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(Frequently Asked Questions)
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| Cigar Basics |
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| Cigar Smoking and Etiquette |
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| Technical Aspects |
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| Storage Methods |
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| Cigar Accessories |
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| Cigar Anatomy |
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It always helps to know which end is which and what everything is called. The
majority of cigars come with one open end (the foot) which is the end that you will light. The other end
(the head) is the end that you must cut, and through which you will draw air and delicious smoke. To make
life easier, the band is most often placed near the head.
Cigar Parts
A cigar is composed of three types of tobacco; the Filler (the guts), the Binder (which holds the filler
together) and the Wrapper (which holds everything together).
The Filler
The filler can be from any part of the tobacco plant. The top of the plant usually produces the strongest
flavor, while the bottom produces the tobacco with the best burning properties. Most cigars have blended
fillers (fillers from varying parts of the plant and varying sources) to achieve the correct taste and
burning qualities.
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| What is a "premium" cigar? |
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The term "premium", when applied to cigars, indicates that it is not a
machine made, mass market style of cigar. In order to be classified as such, it will have the following
characteristics: Premium cigars are constructed from three parts; The filler, the binder, and the
wrapper. The filler is the interior of the cigar. When a cigar is examined from the open end, the filler
can be seen as the leaves that are twisted in spirals within the center of the cigar. When the term "long
filler" is used, it means that the filler was constructed from full leaves. These leaves are picked,
stored, and aged intact, and are obviously handled with great care. Rolling long filler cigars takes
great skill to insure that it burns evenly and smoothly. The second type of filler is short filler. Short
filler consists of loose clippings of leaves that are leftover from the long filler production, or leaves
that broke anywhere along the cultivation process. Premium short filler cigars are made from 100% tobacco
leaves, but just not the same leaf from end to end. Short filler cigars are still technically considered
to be "premium", so long as the cigar is still completely hand made, and is constructed only from pure,
untreated or unhomogenized tobacco. The next part of the cigar consists of several layers of leaves that
encircle the spirals of filler. These layers are termed "binder". As the name implies, it forms the
filler into a circular shape, so that the next, and final component, the wrapper, can be applied.
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| What is a "Puro"? |
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A puro is a cigar that was made entirely from the tobaccos of one county. An
example of the most well known Puros are Cuban cigars. In Cuba, the filler, binder, and wrapper is all
grown in Cuba. Cigar manufacturers who make Puros consider it a great honor to be able to achieve a such
a level of sufficiency, as it gives them more control over the consistency and quality of the finished
product. The difficulty in acquiring the necessary native ingredients in producing a puro make them very
rare indeed. Other than Cuban cigars, which are unavailable in the American market, there are only a
handful of Puros out there. The Breton Corojo Vintage, Corojo2000, and the Opus X are all excellent
quality Dominican Puros.
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| What are the basic shapes of premium cigars? |
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There are two shapes of cigars, Parejos and Figurados. A Parejos is a straight sided cigar. A Figurado is an exotic, irregular shape.
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| What do the two numbers mean when applied to cigar sizes? |
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They are the length and ring gauge (diameter). The length is measured in
inches. The ring gauge is measured in units of 1/64th's of an inch. For example, a cigar that is called
"8 x 48" is 8 inches long and 48/64ths of an inch in diameter.
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| Do the opposite ends of the cigar have different names? |
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Yes. The end you cut and smoke though is the "cap". The end you light is called a "tuck" or "foot".
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| Does the cigar's name indicate its dimension? |
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Quite often they do. There are some basic shapes that fall within certain
size parameters. These shapes are given names, so that there is some degree of universality in the
industry. These descriptive dimensions are approximate, but here are some guidelines: Short is less than
5.5 inches. Long is greater than 6.5 inches. Thin is less than 42 ring size. Thick is greater than 47
ring. The group below are the most common shapes.
- Robusto: Short and thick
- Lonsdale: Thin and long
- Corona: Medium length and medium gauge
- Churchill: Long and thick
- Cigarillo: Short and thin
Please note that these are only generic shape names. For example, a Robusto from one brand may have slightly different dimensions than a Robusto from another brand.
There are other shapes that fall between and around these basics:
- Toro: Somewhere between Robusto and Churchill.
- Panatela: A skinny Lonsdale.
- Rothchild: Somewhere between a Robusto and a Corona.
- Presidente: Either a little larger or smaller than a Churchill
Manufacturers can also add one of these common adjectives to the name.
They can help you to envision the size. Gorda, Grande, Gran, Larga, Extra, Doble, or Double always mean
they are adding on to the size. Petite, Slim, Finos, or Demi indicate some sort of reduction to the size.
For example a "Corona Grande" is a long Corona, and would be close to a Lonsdale.
On top of all this we will now add the Figurados. Here are the basic
definitions. Note, you will find more disparity here among brands than you can imagine. When you are
dealing with Parejos, you can be positive that Robustos from different brands will always resemble each
other to some degree. However, with Figurados, almost anything goes. One company's Torpedo will be
another's Pyramid or Perfecto. These are the most common descriptions for the shape names on today's
market. Remember, all dimensions described are approximations.
- Torpedo: The cap is a sharp
point, the foot is open. The shape does not begin to taper until the last 2 inches near the cap. The
foot will measure between 46 to 54 in ring size. The length can range from 5 to 7 inches.
- Piramide: The cap is round,
the foot is open. The cigar will immediately taper from the foot right down to the cap. For this
reason, many Piramides will be described with two ring sizes. For example, 7 x 36-50. This means that
it is a seven inch cigar, and the tuck is 50 ring, and it drops down to 36 by the time it reaches the
cap.
- Triangulo: Similar to a
Piramide, but the cap is pointed.
- Belicoso: Similar to a
torpedo, but usually a little shorter. Also, the taper will occur even more quickly than the torpedo,
typically occurring within the last 3/4" near the cap.
- Perfecto: The perfecto will
have both ends closed. The cap can be round or pointed. The tuck is typically tapered to the width of a
cigarette. On some brands, you light the foot as is, and with others, if it is more than 3/8", you clip
off a bit to expose the filler. The sides can be straight, or there can be a bulge in the first half of
the cigar near the foot. The length of a perfecto can vary from 4-8"
- Diadema: Traditionally, this
is a giant perfecto, measuring at least 8" long. However, it is can be used to name any huge scale
version of the Figurados described above.
- Culebra: Three panetelas
twisted around each other and held together with either ribbon or a large cigar band. The segments of a
traditional Culebra will be composed of all ligero filler, not mild seco and volado fillers of a
regular Panetela. You must separate them before smoking. Do not attempt to straighten out the wavy
shape. Smoke them in the curved way that they have been cured.
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| How do I know what size is right for me? |
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You should pick a cigar for the amount of time you have available to smoke.
If you are at a sporting event or on a golf course, choose a large cigar that will last for a long time.
If you are in a cigar friendly restaurant and you want to have a nice after dinner smoke, (but don't want
to stay there all night) choose one that will last about 30-40 minutes. These are just some examples. As
you experiment with different sizes you will find one that you are most comfortable with.
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| What do the cigar ratings mean? |
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We use the ratings from one of the most trusted sources, Cigar Aficionado.
Cigar Aficionado's ratings are scored on the 100-point scale:
95-100 - classic
90- 94 - outstanding
80-89 - very good to excellent
70-79 - average to good commercial quality
Below 70 - don't waste your money
To check out cigar ratings for yourself on their website, Click Here
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| How do I open the end cap? |
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The most common way is with a cigar cutter. This means you will clip the
rounded end cap off. Other methods are discussed in detail here.
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| Is there a correct way to light a cigar? |
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Absolutely. Your goal is light the end as evenly as possible. When lighting
the cigar, it is best when you apply as little of the flame to the end of the cigar as possible. This
will prevent the tobacco from getting charred, or carbonized, and imparting an unpleasant taste unto it.
To do this, hold the flame about 2 inches away from the cigar, and slowly draw long puffs of air through
the cigar. The flame should jump up to the cigar. With each new puff, rotate the cigar about a quarter of
a turn. Continue this for 4-5 puffs and then inspect your work. If there is a tiny unlit spot, you can
blow on it to accelerate the glowing coal to drift over to it. Then, take one or two steady puffs and
then leave the cigar alone for at least 2 minutes, as the first 1/8th to 3/16th of ash builds. You have
laid the foundation of a cigar that will burn perfectly.
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| How come my cigar does not always burn evenly? |
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Most uneven burns are a result of poor lighting technique. Therefore,
patience should be applied during the lighting to insure that the cigar burns properly, and does not
"tunnel" or "canoe". Your cigar is tunneling when the inner filler is burning down, and the outer layers,
including the wrapper and binder, are still unlit. This will taste unpleasant, as you are not smoking the
balanced blend. It will ultimately go out, as the inner core suffocates from lack of air. If your cigar
tunnels you can try to fix it by using your cutter and clipping down the unburned exterior and then try
to relight the cigar. A problem that is more common than tunneling is canoeing. This is when your cigar
is imitating a canoe, by one half burning slower than the other. It can be caused by improperly lighting
the cigar, or by smoking too quickly, puffing away like mad. The best way to fix this is to leave the
cigar alone and let the slow side catch up as soon as you notice it is happening. The sooner you "back
off", the sooner the cigar will even up. If you ignore it, it will get more and more pronounced. I do not
recommend "flash burning" the slow half, as it will usually leave a burning taste on the rest of the
cigar as you smoke it. Both of these syndromes can be prevented by correctly lighting the cigar. Very
windy conditions can also make the cigar canoe to tunnel. Unfortunately, this is out of your control and
is no mark against your ignition techniques.
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| Can I use any type of flame? |
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The goal is to use a flame that will impart as few impurities into the cigar
as possible. The historical method was to use a splint of cedar, known as a "spill", to light the cigar.
More practical and handy are wooden matches or mechanical lighters that use butane, both of which burn
clean. Paper matches are undesirable because they have two elements that can taint the taste of the
cigar. First, many paper matches are dyed with a pigment. Second, they are often treated with an
accelerant chemical, which you can see as it boils off the first 1/4" of the match right after it is
struck. By the time this chemical has boiled off, the match is too short to light the cigar. When using
wooden matches, I recommend that you use two matches at once, spread approximately 1/4" apart. This will
create a flame broad enough to light the whole end in one attempt. Rarely can you get the entire cigar
lit with just one match, and if you need to start a second match you have already started the cigar off
on an uneven burn. Other than a thin cedar spill, these are the only two sources for flame that I would
advise. Never use a candle, or a lighter that used any fuel other than butane. And certainly never use a
gas stove or stick your head into a campfire, as you risk lighting you hair up when you lean over
it.
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| Do I remove the ring? |
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Removing the ring may damage the cigar, as the adhesive used to attach it is
often attached to the cigar as well. It can be removed gently once the coal has burned down near it, as
the heat will loosen it. It should be mentioned that in England and Europe it is considered vulgar to
leave the ring on the cigar. There, proper etiquette dictates that gentlemen do not show off whatever
prestigious brand they are smoking, and they sit around smoking "naked" cigars. However, following this
decorum risks tearing the wrapper. At the risk of insulting any European smokers in the room, I would
rather keep my wrapper untorn.
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| When do I tap the ash? |
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The ash is very sturdy and will hold up at least 3/4" of an inch, or more.
Therefore, you should not be so concerned as to look for the ashtray after every puff, as you can damage
the cigar by constantly trying to tap off a fresh ash. It can be easily knocked off about every 1/2" or
so.
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| How far down can I smoke the cigar? |
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You can smoke a cigar as far down as long you still enjoy it. A great cigar
will tempt you to burn your finger tips trying to get that last puff. When you have finished the cigar,
drop it into the ashtray and let it burn itself out. Do not crush it down, as the exploded butt will
smell terrible.
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| How many different types of tobacco are there? |
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There are literally hundreds of strains of tobacco plants. They are grown on
almost every continent, although only a handful are suitable for premium cigar production. Most of these
are Cuban seed varieties that have been cultivated in other countries. The leaves from most Cuban seed
varieties often reach 14-18 inches in length.
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| How many different tobaccos are used in a premium cigar? |
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Typically, 4-6 types are blended together. The wrapper and binder are the first 2. The rest are fillers.
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| What does Ligero, Seco, and Volado mean? |
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These are the classifications of leaf types that a single plant, regardless
of its variety, will yield. Every tobacco plant for cigar applications has these three leaf types. Each
is from a different part of the plant. Every cigar should have some combination of these leaves to burn
correctly. The "ligero" leaves (pronounced lee-hair-oh) are taken from the top third of the plant. These
offer the strength to the cigar's flavor. The leaves from the middle third of the plant are called "seco"
(pronounced say-ko). These have a mild flavor, and contribute to overall aroma. Finally, at the bottom
third of the plant, are the "volado" leaves. These have little flavor, but are a necessary part of the
blend due to their excellent burning characteristics. Ligero and seco leaves do not burn very well and
need the help of the volado leaf to keep the cigar lit and burning smoothly. When a manufacturer is
creating a blend, they will take some combination of these classifications, from various strains of
plants, to produce the flavor they prefer.
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| What does Corojo mean? |
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Corojo (pronounced: kawr-oh-ho) is the name given to a specific variety of
tobacco plant that was originally developed in the Vuelta Abajo Valley in Cuba. It is named after the
plantation that first grew it, called El Corojo Vega. The leaf's thin, oily texture, along with its small
thin veins, make it the pinnacle for a wrapper leaf on the highest rated of the Cuban brands. This farm
had a unique combination of mineral content in the soil, irrigation, drainage, and exposure that allowed
the plant to thrive. The plant is very temperamental and delicate, and only survived when planted in the
valley of its origin. Most attempts to relocate the seeds to other tobacco growing regions in both Cuba
and other Caribbean nations are met with crop failure. Within the last 5 or 6 years, there have been only
two growers, both in a valley in Bonao, Dominican Republic, who have been able to harvest successful
crops of the Corojo variety. The characteristics of this valley duplicate those of the original Cuban
plantation. The wrappers cultivated from this plant are often designated as "rosado" shade, which is a
very rare, reddish tint.
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| What is Colorado? |
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Colorado is a color of wrapper that is in the medium brown color spectrum.
The most common variation is "Colorado Maduro", which is typically grown in Indonesia, and is sometimes
termed "Sumatra". Another area that grows this shade of wrapper is Cameroon.
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| What is Maduro? |
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Maduro, directly translated from Spanish, means "mature" or "ripe". On a
cigar, it applies to the wrapper leaf that is medium or dark brown. The two most common styles of maduro
are Colorado (medium brown), and Oscuro (dark brown, almost black). There are several methods used to
achieve these shades, depending on the hybrid of plant. Some are fermented for longer periods of time,
while others are merely left on the plant unpicked until the very end of the plant's annual growing
cycle. Most maduro shaded wrappers are grown in Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, and Cameroon.
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| What does "shade grown" or "sungrown" mean? |
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These are terms applied to the growing style of wrapper leaves. Shade grown
means that tapadas, which are large white fabric sheets, similar to cheesecloth, are suspended 6-10 feet
above the entire crop to shield the leaves from direct exposure to sunlight. The opposite of this is to
allow the leaves to grow without any protection, directly in the sunlight. The implementation of either
procedure will yield completely different wrappers, as the exposure to the sun will affect the amount of
sugars and oils the plant produces, the thickness of the veins in the leaf, and ultimately, its color. A
common shade grown wrapper color is of a "Claro" color. This has a pale "coffee with cream" color. Many
companies will often alternatively refer to this shade as "natural". A common sun grown wrapper color is
"Maduro", which has a hue of dark or black coffee.
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| Are leaves really grown in Connecticut? |
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Absolutely. The Connecticut River Valley region, located in the northeast
corner of the state, and extending into lower Massachusetts, grows much of the "Claro" wrappers that we
see on cigars. The last few years have proven that Ecuador and the Dominican Republic can produce a
similarly colored wrapper leaf. This has been a salvation to the industry, as this diversification
minimizes the impact of the "blue mold" blight that has ruined entire Connecticut crops in past years.
Another type of Connecticut wrapper is the Broadleaf variety. This will have a darker, maduro shade to it.
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| Why are wrapper leaves so special? |
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The wrapper is a very delicate leaf, and is only one layer thick around the
cigar. It contributes a large percentage to the overall flavor of the cigar. Wrapper leaves can be grown
in many places on the globe, and each variety contributes its own characteristics towards the cigar's
flavor. A wrapper leaf is evaluated on the thinness of its veins, its oily sheen, its even coloring, and
most importantly, its unblemished appearance. In order to achieve and maintain these desired
characteristics, the leaves are often carefully and skillfully handled several hundred times from
picking, curing, stripping, aging, and rolling. Binder leaves are often wrapper leaves that have been
rejected due to some sort of cosmetic imperfection.
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| How many wrapper colors are there? |
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There are about a dozen or so, all variations of these basic ones, listed from lightest to darkest:
Candela (which is still green), Double Claro, Claro, Colorado, Colorado Maduro, Colorado Rosado, Maduro, and Oscuro.
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| How is tobacco cured? |
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Curing tobacco is a sensitive process that depends on techniques and
traditions that are hundreds of years old. Following the harvest, tobacco is removed from the fields and
placed in large bulk piles within a curing shed. This shed will have several barn doors in the front and
rear, and many doorways running along the sides. There are also vents on the upper portions of the
structure. The purpose of all these openings is to control the interior temperature and humidity. By
opening or closing the apertures, workers are able to counterbalance the effect of wind and sun exposure
on the structure. Each bulk is about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Inside these piles, heat is created
as a by-product of the chemical reactions taking place. The core temperature is monitored daily and the
piles are rotated inside out frequently to prevent the raw tobacco from cooking. This part of the
fermentation is referred to as "sweating". These bulks may be turned many times during the following
months until this stage is complete. It is during this sweating process that the tobacco releases ammonia
and other undesirables elements. The tobacco is then put into rectangular bails, each about 150 pounds,
and stored for a minimum of one year. Many producers will store it for much longer periods of 3-5 years.
After this curing and aging period, the tobacco is judged suitable and shipped to the fabrica for
rolling.
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| Why do premium cigars need to be kept in a humidor? |
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A premium cigar, by definition, is handmade and in most cases, constructed
with long-filler tobacco. It is 100% pure tobacco leaves throughout its construction. Unlike cigarettes
or machine made cigars, they have no chemicals that are added that will keep them from drying out.
Therefore, they must be stored at the correct humidity level to preserve its moisture content, or they
will dry out and crumble.
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| What are characteristics of a good humidor? |
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There are several key points that all good humidors share. It is important
that you chose the right one in order to protect your precious and delicate cigars. First, is the
interior lining. It should be made of Spanish cedar. A very small percentage of humidors on the market
use a mahogany interior as an acceptable alternative. The next important feature to look for is the seal
between the lid and the rim of the box. It should be a tight seal, but it can not be purely airtight.
Lids that are very heavy, relative to the rest of the box, help to promote a sufficient seal. An
indicator of a good seal is when the lid is closed you should feel / hear a small whoosh. Another
critical element to look at is the hinges on the lid. They must be heavy duty, and be secured with good
anchoring. Often, as described earlier, the lids can be very heavy, and the hinging must be sturdy enough
to support the stress that a heavy lid will put on them. Often, people will say that the most critical
part of a humidor is the humidification element. However, I disagree. It is actually the only component
than can actually be replaced, therefore, it is more important to have good seals and hinges, for without
them, even the best humidification element will not keep the cigars in peak condition. These key features
are what make a humidor.
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| What are some other features that a humidor can have? |
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There are several "options" that your humidor can have. For example, some
have locks, which would prevent people in your office or home from snatching your stash without your
permission. Other humidors have handles. These not only look elegant, but will aid you when you are
moving the humidor from your beach house back to your winter home. Other important options that a humidor
can have is shelves and dividers. These help you organize your cigars and keep different brands
separated.
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| What are the do's and don'ts when holding or feeling a cigar? |
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Premium cigars are delicate and require care when handling. They can be
damaged by squeezing, pinching, or dropping them. The two ends are the most susceptible to damage. The
rounded, or closed end (nearest to the cigar band), is called a cap. The cap can be split if it is
squeezed too tightly. The best place to hold a cigar is anywhere in its middle section, at least 1 inch
away from the ends.
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| How should premium cigars be stored? |
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The cigars must be kept at 70-72% humidity level to prevent them from drying
out. This is best achieved by keeping them in a humidor. The humidor should have a Spanish cedar lining,
to enhance the aroma and promote the aging of the cigar. If you are on a budget, there are cigar jars,
made of glass, that will do an adequate job. If you are really in a pinch you can use Tupperware, or a
similar style food storage container. All of these storage devices must have a humidification element
that releases moisture into the storage chamber.
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| Must I use distilled water in my humidification element? |
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Yes. Other than the initial charge of humidor solution, use only distilled
water. Tap water and bottled spring water contain minerals that will collect and slowly "cake-up" on both
the device and the interior of the humidor. These minerals turn into a whitish/tan crust, and eventually,
will clog the pores of the humidification device and destroy the effectiveness of the humidor.
Additionally, some tap waters often have a slight odor, that will taint the aroma of the cigars when
compounded over months or years.
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| What is Humidor Solution? |
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Humidor Solution, or Activator Solution as it is sometime called, is a 50/50
mix of distilled water and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a colorless innocuous liquid that has
two favorable characteristics for the use in humidors. First of all the formation of mold as well as
bacteria is actively prevented. Secondly, propylene glycol forms a thin layer on the surface of the
humidifier, which absorbs humidity at humidity levels of over 70% humidity and which supplies humidity at
humidity of less than 70%. This way the humidifier becomes a self-adjusting humidifier and will
automatically stabilize the humidity level at an optimum level of approx. 70%.
As distilled water evaporates substantially faster than the propylene glycol part, the humidor should be
refilled exclusively with distilled water. This special propylene glycol solution should only be applied
when setting up your new humidor or when the humidity level in the humidor suddenly drops. Depending on
the outside temperature this is usually once every 3-6 months.
Under no circumstances should the solution be used more frequently and never exclusively. If you do, the
humidifier will become saturated with propylene glycol solution and will not be able to absorb more water
and thus the humidifier becomes useless.
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| Is my humidor supposed to be airtight? |
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No. The exchange of air is critical to the storage of cigars, as it will
prevent mold growth. A completely airtight system, kept at 72% humidity, would grow mold very quickly and
destroy the cigars. High quality wooden humidors, even with seemingly airtight seals, have an exchange of
air because they are made of wood, which is a porous material. However, a poorly made one will have a
seal that is too loose and allow the moisture to escape rapidly, thus resulting in dried out cigars. If
you chose to keep your cigars in Tupperware or glass jars, it is critical that you open them at least
once a week to refresh the air.
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| How do I set up my humidor for the first time? |
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When most people get their new humidor home, they are anxious to fill it up
with their collection of smokes. If you do this without first re-humidifying the wood, you may ruin your
cigars. Why? The wood has not had a chance to reach its equilibrium. So when you put your cigars in, the
wood will absorb their moisture and you will be left with dry useless cigars. Not exactly the reason you
bought a humidor, huh? To solve this problem, all humidors should be re-humidified before their first
use.
Re-humidifying your humidor is easy, just follow these simple steps:
Place a shallow container filled with distilled water or activator solution in the bottom of the humidor
Place calibrated hygrometer inside humidor
Charge your humidification device
Place humidification device inside humidor
You have to check the relative humidity every day. Depending on a number of factors this can take a few
days to a few weeks. When you get in the 70 range it is safe to store you smokes inside. As long as you
constantly recharge your humidification device you will never have to wait to store your cigars
again.
Some people suggest wiping down the inside of the humidor with a moist
cloth to speed up the process. NEVER DO THIS! Under no circumstances do you want to get the wood wet as
that may cause it to warp or crack, thus rendering the humidor useless.
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| What happens to a cigar that was left out of the humidor? |
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The answer depends on the environment that the cigar was exposed to and what
protection the cigar had. Cigars often come with an individual plastic sleeve that surrounds them. This
plastic protects the cigar from drying out for short periods of time. For example, on the ride home from
a cigar store. A cigar with this sleeve that has been out of the humidor for a few hours, or even a day,
will be not be drastically affected by the change in humidity. However, without this sleeve, the cigar,
under low humidity conditions, can be ruined in as little as 45 minutes. These guidelines are only
approximations, and it is strongly recommended that you protect a cigar by keeping it in a plastic bag
until you can get it to the humidor. Do not tempt the fates.
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| What if the cigar has been left unhumidified for longer than a day? For example, say a few days, a week, or even a month? |
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After a day or so, the cigar will begin to dry out. It can be restored by
putting it back in the humidor and leaving it untouched. It will revive itself over time. Generally, it
takes about 2-3 times longer for a cigar to regain its moistness as it did to lose it. For example, if a
cigar was out of a humidor for 2 days, it may take 4, 5, or 6 days to recover, depending on the humidity
of the environment it was exposed to. When attempting to revive the cigar in a humidor, it should put it
as far away from the humidification device as you possible. Leave it undisturbed for as long as you can,
and then you can slowly move it closer, until you deem it in a smokeable condition. It is most important
to handle the dry cigar very gently. Remember, it is merely a leaf. If pinched, squeezed or dropped on
the floor, its wrapper leaf may flake, crack, or split. Very little can be done to save it once this
happens.
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| Can a dry cigar be dipped in water, sprayed with misted water, or put into a steamy bathroom to speed up its recovery? |
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Never. The cigar filler will burst through the outer wrapper leaf if the
humidity changes this rapidly. The only procedure known to work is for it to reabsorb the moisture of the
humidor very slowly.
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| How are cigars protected during shipping? Why don't they dry out if it takes more than a day to transport them? |
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The cigars are protected from humidity changes during shipping because they
are bulk wrapped in protective layers of plastic, which retards the moisture's escape.
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| Is temperature control an issue? Can they be stored in a refrigerator, third floor attic or a basement? |
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Temperature is only a factor in the extremes. Too much heat (sustained above
80 degrees for 3-4 days or longer) may invite a beetle infestation. This is the same type of bug that
would invade pasta, cereal, raisins, and breads. Great care must be taken to prevent the cigars from
being placed near a heat source, where this infestation is invited. On the other side of the spectrum,
too much cold will dry out the cigars. Cold air is devoid of humidity and pulls moisture out of things
that have it. This is why lips get chapped and skin dries out in the winter months. The same holds true
for the cigars. Any home or office that maintains a temperature control between 60 and 75 degrees
provides a suitable environment for cigars. The colder the room is, the more frequent the humidification
device will need to be recharged with water. Storing cigars in the fridge or freezer is not recommended
for two reasons. First, you must use a completely airtight container to prevent them from drying out. If
the seal fails, or you accidentally do not tighten it completely, you have sentenced the cigars to a
merciless death. Secondly, even if you have a good seal, the cold temperature will suspend the maturing
and aging of the cigar, which although is not harmful, is not productive.
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| Should I remove the plastic sleeves when I put the cigars into my humidor? |
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In general, if you are "laying down" the cigars to age for any period of
time, you should take the sleeves off and allow the cigars to lay next to each other. They will pick up
the natural aroma of the Spanish cedar, which will make them age better. I only leave the sleeve on if I
know the cigar will be "moving out" quickly, and I want it to be protected on its next journey.
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| Why do experts recommend aging cigars in a humidor before they smoke them? |
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Seasoned cigar smokers feel that aged cigars taste better. The long term
exposure to the Spanish cedar enhances the flavor of the cigar. Also, many cigars, usually of the
stronger variety, will improve, as the oils bloom through to the surface of the wrapper. Many cigars are
just fine when you buy them, and it is not a hard and fast rule that all cigars should be aged. However,
all cigars will benefit from at least a few weeks or months in your personal humidor. If you plan on
laying down the cigar for a long period, separate different brands with cedar dividers or the cedar
sheets that often come in the boxes. This will prevent the cigars from tainting each other with their
distinct aromas.
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| What does Bloom mean? |
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Bloom is a grayish fuzz that can appear on a well aged cigar. It is not mold,
and it is completely harmless. It is a residue from the fermenting oils within the cigar, and is
indicative that you have ideal storage conditions. You can identify it as bloom if it easily wipes off if
you brush it gently with your finger. If you can not easily remove it, and it is more of a white color,
it is probably mold.
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| What causes mold? What do I do if I see it? |
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Mold will grow if the humidor is too moist. You must always be conscious of
how much water you are adding to the humidification device. Mold will not grow quickly, so there are 2
signs that you can look for that will indicate that you are heading in a bad direction. The first
indicator is damp, soggy cigars. These will be hard to smoke, and may even hiss or burst as you smoke
them. The second sign is a foul, musty odor that greets you when you open the humidor. If you notice
either of these symptoms you should cut back on the amount of water you are adding to the element,
regardless of what your hygrometer (if you have one) says. It is probably not calibrated and is giving a
false reading. If you spot mold on a cigar remove it immediately from the humidor, as it will spread to
others.
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| What is the Tobacco Beetle? |
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The dreaded beetle is a tiny little bug that will infest tobacco. You may see
the beetle, about the size of a large grain of sand, crawling around your precious stogies. Often,
though, you may not see the actual beetle, as it can crawl within any one of your smokes and hide
undetected. However, there are two telltale signs that you have been infested. The first, is that you
will notice that small holes have been bored through the cigars. These holes are about the same size as
if you punctured the cigar with the end of a paperclip. The second signature is the nasty bug will leave
piles of small charcoal colored sand in the humidor. This is beetle excrement. This stuff is often
accumulated inside the cigar too, and if smoked, will leave a harsh bitter taste in your mouth. The
burning aroma will also be very unpleasant. Your spouse or roommates will perceptively remark, "what the
hell are you smoking, s...?" Unfortunately, they will have nailed it right on the head.
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| How did the Tobacco Beetle get into my humidor? |
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The beetle has been hatched from eggs that came hidden on one of your cigars.
They can hatch whenever the ambient temperature of the cigars rises above 80 degrees and is sustained for
a few days. These extremely tiny eggs were laid on the leaves while the plant was still in the fields.
They are undetectable, and therefore, unremovable during the any part of the processing and handling.
These eggs may exist within every cigar in your collection, or none at all. The guilty cigar can be the
most expensive prestigious brand you own, or the cheapest. The bug is not brand conscious or prejudiced,
all cigars taste good to the beetle.
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| What can be done to prevent the Tobacco Beetle from infesting my stash, and what can I do if they have already stricken? |
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Fortunately, these bugs do not like freezing cold temperatures. You can place
the cigars in the freezer for 4 days. The freezing cold temperature will kill off all the bugs and its
larvae. However, there is a strict procedure that must be adhered to in order to prevent the complete
ruination of your collection. First, take all the cigars and place them in airtight plastic bags. If
there is even the slightest gap in the seals the cigars will lose all humidity and be destroyed. I repeat
this procedure twice more, so that the cigars are protected by three layers of plastic. Place the package
in the freezer and leave it there for 4 days. Meanwhile, you can thoroughly wipe down the inside of the
humidor (using distilled water, of course). Make sure there are no little critters hiding in the corner.
Once the 4 days have passed, take the package out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for
12-24 hours. Be very careful when handling the package, as the cigars will be very brittle. After this
time in the fridge, take them out and let them warm up to room temperature. This will take at least 4-6
hours. The larger the package, the longer it will take to get the core to rise to room temperature. Once
this is done, you can now replace your sterilized smokes back into the humidor.
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| Can I freeze all incoming cigars as a preventative measure? |
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Yes, I firmly believe in this procedure. As long as the procedure above was
carefully followed and the cigars were not directly exposed to the freezing air, you will not have a
problem. Many will scoff at the procedure, as they do not want to be bothered with the time and effort.
However, if you have ever lost a batch of 8 year old cigars that you were saving for just the right
occasion to these merciless creatures, the precaution is no trouble at all.
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| How do you know where the cigar is from, if it is made from tobaccos of different countries? |
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A cigar's country of origin is classified by where it was rolled, regardless
of where the wrapper, binder, or filler is from. Typically, the filler tobacco is usually grown in the
same country as where the cigar is made. This is not an absolute rule, as cigars rolled in the US,
(typically, Miami or Tampa regions) must import all of their filler. Another exception is Honduran and
Nicaraguan cigars, as their native grown fillers are often too harsh to be used exclusively, and are
typically blended with Dominican filler in order to produce an acceptable smoke.
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| What are the different tools used to cut the cap off the cigar? |
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There are several methods of cutting the cigar. Here are the most common
accessories on the market.
Cutters: A cutter is a guillotine style device used to slice the
cap off of the cigar. It is the most common type, and is available as a single, double, and even triple
blade. The single and double blades are the most common. Most double blades cutters are more expensive
than the single blades, but they will last far longer, as they are self-sharpening. Most single blade
cutters are disposable, and should be thrown away once they have stopped making a clean, sharp cut. If
you buy an expensive gold or silver single blade cutter, be sure that the blade is replaceable, or else
you will have just spent a lot of money on a disposable cutter.
Scissors/Clippers: These scissor-action clippers work the same way
that the double blade cutter does. However, they are not self sharpening, and can crush or tear the head
off the cigar if they are not kept at peak sharpness. They do not fit comfortably in a pocket, and
therefore the lack of portability makes them attractive for home use only.
Wedge Cutter: These cut a "V" down the center of the cap, about an
1/8-1/4" deep. Typically, they work very well on thin (less than 40 ring size) and tapered (torpedo
shaped) cigars. They do not give a clean cut on the thicker heads.
Punch: A punch cuts a small circle into the cap. A well designed
one can have an ejection spring to push out the cut tobacco. The punch does not work well on thin cigars.
It works well on thick cigars, especially the oversized ones of 54 ring gauge or more. Often a guillotine
cutter can not accommodate these mammoths. Also, the punch hole in these giants relieves you from having
to put the whole cigar in between your lips, which can be uncomfortable on the jaw. Rather, you can "sip"
the smoke through the punch opening.
Poker/Piercer: This is a pin-like rod that just pokes a hole in the
cap. It does not allow a good draw, which can cause the cigar to burn improperly, or provide its full
flavor. It also causes a build up of bitter tars at its opening, once you have been smoking the cigar for
a while. Therefore, a piercer is not recommended on anything larger than a short, thin cigar.
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| How do I carry my cigars around when I travel or just go out for the day? |
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You must protect the cigar in some fashion, as it will either dry out or
get bruised. Here are the options you can chose which best suits your needs.
Tubes: A tube will hold one cigar. If it has a good seal, it will
protect it for many days or even weeks. They can be constructed of any type of material, ranging from
plastic to platinum, and will be priced accordingly. Some even have tiny humidification devices built in,
but this is not necessary for short term use. The only downside to these carrying tubes is that if your
friend has one it means that he did not bring a cigar for you.
Finger Cases: These are cases made from either leather, metal,
wood, or plastic. They will have 2-4 "fingers" for the cigars. The leather models are soft cases, and are
most often made from 2 telescoping pieces, that slide within each other. They are made for specific
length cigars, but will often handle a variance of 1-1.5 inches more than they were designed for.
Sometimes they have individual slots for each cigar, but these are not absolutely necessary. These cases
will provide several hours of protection and are perfect for a night out. They are not heavy and will not
show a bulge by weighing down your shirt or jacket pocket. The metal, wood, or plastic varieties are hard
cases, providing more protection from both the elements and from being crushed. However, they are bulky,
will pull down on your clothing, if they even fit into the pockets. They are more suited for carrying in
a briefcase or golf bag. Elaborate ones can have miniature humidification devices, but these are only
necessary if you want to insure the cigar's freshness for an extended period of time.
Travel Humidors: Travel humidors are miniature humidors, complete
with a humidification element. As the name implies, they are used when you need to take your smokes out
of town. They will hold between 4 and 20 cigars, depending on size. They are made from wood, metal,
plastic, or any combination of these materials. As this is a short term storage unit, a Spanish cedar
lining is a nice cosmetic touch, but not an automatic prerequisite. There are many poorly designed models
on the market, and you should look for the following features and pitfalls when considering the purchase.
First and foremost, the seal must be a good one. The seal on travel size humidors should either have the
same type of interlocking "lips" that a full size one has, or a gasket of some kind. You need to be
confident that moist air is not escaping. Another important feature is the interior protection it offers
for the cigars from being knocked around. Will they continue to slam into each other or the walls of the
unit? Well designed ones will be built very thinly, so that you can only stack the cigars in one or two
layers, thus minimizing the potential for damage. Good alternatives to keeping the cigars in place have
grooves cut into them (usually molded plastic), foam egg cushions, or straps that act as seatbelts. These
features are useful, but not completely necessary, as you can always put some balled up bubble wrap into
a half filled humidor to prevent them from jostling. This is not exactly elegant, but extremely
functional. The last key factor when examining a travel humidor is its strength. You want the unit to
stand up to external stress, without breaking. A good, functional travel humidor will have all of these
features.
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| What makes a proper lighter for cigars? |
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There are 2 critical features you should look for. First, the type of fuel it
uses. It must be a clean burning fuel such as butane. Most other lighter fuels give off a chemical or
kerosene-like odor that will alter the taste of your cigar. Secondly, the lighter must provide a large
enough flame to light the whole cigar. For some reason (probably to conserve fuel), many disposable
lighters no longer have an adjustable flame, and only burn at about a 3/8th inch tall. This is too small,
so cigar smokers must find one that is a designed with cigar needs in mind. The "blowtorch" style
lighters have become very popular, because they burn at an extremely high temperature, and can do the job
from several inches away. Remember, to properly light the cigar, you never want to actually put the foot
directly into the flame. The larger and hotter your flame is, the further away you can keep the cigar
from it and gently draw the heat up.
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| What makes a good ashtray for cigars? |
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Ashtrays are more important than you think, and there are three features to
look for. First, the ash container must be large or deep enough to hold all the ash-drops that a cigar
creates. Second, it should be sturdy enough to absorb an incidental shock without getting tipped over.
Third, it should have a groove wide enough to support a cigar on a horizontal level. The cigar should not
be tilting down with the coal resting in the base of the tray. This can suffocate the one side that is
touching the tray and cause the cigar might to burn unevenly. Remember, if you are taking a puff every
minute or so, you should be keeping the cigar safe and sound in a good ashtray the rest of the time. You
can not just keep it in your hand the whole time, as you will not be able to juggle the remote control
and your single malt.
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| Does my humidor need a hygrometer? |
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It is a nice feature, but not necessary. It is always more important to feel
your cigars and judge how they are smoking than rely on the reading of the hygrometer. Do they crackle
when you cut the cap, does the wrapper flake when you handle them? If yes, they are too dry. Its time to
add some water. Do they smell musty, feel spongy, sizzle or split when you smoke them? If yes, they are
too moist, and you added water too much or too often. Back off on the water for a while. If it is
alarmingly damp n there you can stick a few cedar planks (provided from a box of cigars-you can break off
the lid or sides if you need to) into the humidor for a few days to absorb the excess moisture. New
smokers are obsessed with the reading of the analog hygrometer. Even a correctly calibrated analog model
has a variance of 5-10%. Therefore, you need to let the cigars tell you if you are maintaining them
properly. Only operators of commercial storage or "walk-in" humidors need to keep an eye on the humidity
as they usually don't touch and feel the cigars as we do. If you are completely obsessed with having an
accurate hygrometer you can go to Radio Shack and blow 40 bucks on a digital one.
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| How do I calibrate my analog hygrometer? |
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Dampen a towel (not dripping wet, but good and damp), then wrap the
hygrometer in the towel for 30 to 45 minutes. Then unwrap it and read the humidity (quickly). If your
hygrometer is perfectly calibrated (few are) it will be reading exactly 100% humidity. Most likely, it
will be reading somewhere between 80 and 90%. That's ok - if it's reading 90%, then you know that when
it's in your humidor and reading 65, your humidor is really at 75%. From now on you can just make this
simple adjustment and you won't have to mess with the calibration screw.
Want to get a little more technical? No problem. Luckily, as nature would
have it, when salt and water (NaCl and H2O for you studious types), are in a saturated solution at
equilibrium, the resultant humidity is 75%. This gives a fantastic reference point to calibrate our
hygrometers.
Here's the procedure you should use:
Get a bottle cap of some sort - like the kind you might get off of a beer!
Fill it with regular table salt. Then drop a few drops of water on the salt. DO NOT put to much water on
the salt. The salt should only be damp, and not a liquid solution. It should be like moist sand, not like
soft mud.
Then put the bottle cap of salt and your hygrometer in a see-through,
sealable container. I like to use a large freezer bag. Seal the freezer bag or other container. Wait
several hours (about six). The humidity inside the bag will be 75%. Compare it to your hygrometer. You
will then know exactly how far off your hygrometer is, just like with the damp towel test,
above. Take your hygrometer out of the humidor and wrap it in
several layers of dripping wet paper towels. Leave it alone for 5 minutes. During this waiting, go find
your "precision" screwdriver set. Once you have found it, go and unwrap the hygrometer unit. If it is
operating correctly, it should be registering between 95-100. If not, take the appropriate size
screwdriver and stick it through the hole on the bottom and look for a screw that looks like it is
connected to the axis of the dial's needle. Turn this screw to until the dial reads 95. If you took more
than 1 minute to find the screw and turn it, then repeat the entire process, to ensure you have
calibrated it as accurately as you could. You may have to go through this ritual every 3-6 months to
ensure as much accuracy as possible. But remember, even a properly calibrated analog hygrometer can have
a 5-10% error rate, so always keep that in mind if you think you have a problem with your moisture
level.
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