Cigars 101: Storage

by guest blogger David F. Cline

Storing Your Cigars

So – your family and friends got you some cigars for Christmas, and while you were able to smoke one or two with the garage door open, the cold winter is preventing you from lighting up as much as you would like. What to do?

First of all, make sure you keep your cigars stored properly. If you don’t have a humidor, get one. The initial cost is worth the investment, and you will have peace of mind knowing you can keep your cigars stored for weeks at a time without them spoiling, drying out, or losing their flavor.

If you don’t have a humidor yet, get one. In a pinch, your local cigar shop will probably have plastic bags lined with a humidifying agent - that will work for the short term. Your best bet, depending on how many cigars you plan to keep at a time, is to invest in a good quality humidor. They are available online, and all good cigar stores should stock them. The key to a good humidor is properly seasoning it, then keeping the element moist. There are many options to choose from, from water pouches to crystal-filled tubes to the elements that come with most humidors. Find what works best for you, and check it periodically to make sure the inside of your humidor is not drying out.

As nice as it is to have a well-seasoned humidor full of cigars, that really is not the goal. After all, why have cigars if you don’t plan to smoke them? Ah, the chill of winter … but all is not lost. If your stogie preference is for a torpedo or robusto – five-inch or longer cigars with a ring gauge of 50 or 52 – you may want to get a few coronas of the same brand. Coronas are shorter and have a smaller ring gauge, so they won’t burn as long as other sizes – an advantage for cold weather days. Cigars with larger ring gauges allegedly have a deeper, richer flavor, but remember that each cigar has the same blend of tobacco. In other words, A Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Corona has the same blend as a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo. The only difference is the size.

Speaking of Rocky Patel, have you taken part in any cigar auctions yet? I just picked up a 14-stick Rocky Patel sampler for $55 – less than half what I would pay in a cigar store. Give the auction sites a try – I think you will be pleased with the results.