Cigar Care 101 FAQs
Is it possible to over-humidify cigars?
Why is seasoning a humidor so important?
Can cigars improve with age?
Will my cigars age properly if I use a refillable humidification device?
Do I need to remove the cellophane wrapper from my cigars to age them?
Does propylene glycol provide two-way humidity control?
Are silica beads and/or silica gel two-way humidity control products?
Do cigar manufacturers use two-way humidity control?
What does two-way humidity control mean?
What RH level should I choose?
Can I revive a dried out cigar?
How long can I age my cigars?
Why is seasoning a humidor so important?
Can cigars improve with age?
Will my cigars age properly if I use a refillable humidification device?
Do I need to remove the cellophane wrapper from my cigars to age them?
Does propylene glycol provide two-way humidity control?
Are silica beads and/or silica gel two-way humidity control products?
Do cigar manufacturers use two-way humidity control?
What does two-way humidity control mean?
What RH level should I choose?
Can I revive a dried out cigar?
How long can I age my cigars?
Is it possible to over-humidify cigars?
When using Bóveda, it's impossible to over-humidify your cigars. If using traditional methods, then yes, you can easily over-humidify your cigars. The amount of moisture in your cigars plays a major roll in your ability to taste and experience some of the subtle nuances in the tobacco’s natural oils and sugars. A cigar that’s too moist is like watered down coffee. And although some people drink watered down coffee, it’s not the way the experts in the field recommend drinking it. Too much water dilutes the flavor and character of the coffee’s natural oils. Single malt scotch is the same way. Too much water added to the scotch will rob the drinker of experiencing the wonderful flavor and character within the spirit. Too much moisture in the cigar can literally alter the intended flavor of the blend just like adding water to wine would alter the flavor of wine. Too much moisture does several other things as well: It gives your cigars a spongy feel in your mouth; it dilutes t
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When using Bóveda, it's impossible to over-humidify your cigars. If using traditional methods, then yes, you can easily over-humidify your cigars. The amount of moisture in your cigars plays a major roll in your ability to taste and experience some of the subtle nuances in the tobacco’s natural oils and sugars. A cigar that’s too moist is like watered down coffee. And although some people drink watered down coffee, it’s not the way the experts in the field recommend drinking it. Too much water dilutes the flavor and character of the coffee’s natural oils. Single malt scotch is the same way. Too much water added to the scotch will rob the drinker of experiencing the wonderful flavor and character within the spirit. Too much moisture in the cigar can literally alter the intended flavor of the blend just like adding water to wine would alter the flavor of wine. Too much moisture does several other things as well: It gives your cigars a spongy feel in your mouth; it dilutes t
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Why is seasoning a humidor so important?
Before placing any cigars in your humidor, the wood and cigars must be in moisture-equilibrium, otherwise they will steal moisture from each other until the two are in balance – causing your cigars to lose some of their natural oils and sugars in the process. Therefore, never place your cigars in your humidor until the humidor is properly seasoned. This is an essential step and it shouldn’t be taken lightly – neglecting it can ruin good cigars. If you’re unsure if the moisture in your box is equilibrated, then it’s a good idea to season it anyway just to make sure. The reward of properly seasoning your humidor using two-way humidity control – and then maintaining it with two-way humidity control – is that you’ll be able to enjoy delicious smokes right out of your own private cigar aging vault.
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Before placing any cigars in your humidor, the wood and cigars must be in moisture-equilibrium, otherwise they will steal moisture from each other until the two are in balance – causing your cigars to lose some of their natural oils and sugars in the process. Therefore, never place your cigars in your humidor until the humidor is properly seasoned. This is an essential step and it shouldn’t be taken lightly – neglecting it can ruin good cigars. If you’re unsure if the moisture in your box is equilibrated, then it’s a good idea to season it anyway just to make sure. The reward of properly seasoning your humidor using two-way humidity control – and then maintaining it with two-way humidity control – is that you’ll be able to enjoy delicious smokes right out of your own private cigar aging vault.
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Can cigars improve with age?
Only when stored under the right conditions. The sole function of a humidor is to preserve the character in cigars and to also create an environment that allows cigars to improve with age. For this to happen it’s a requirement to eliminate the fluctuations, cycles and spikes in humidity—something refillable humidifiers cannot do. That’s why two-way humidity control is so essential. The natural oils and sugars contained in good tobacco are the heart and soul of a cigar, providing all the flavor and the foundation for improving with age. Good cigars are loaded with these oils and sugars and when aged properly the tobaccos will shed their harsher characteristics while allowing the oils and sugars to blossom into amazingly rich and pleasing flavors that will give you an unparalleled smoking experience.
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Only when stored under the right conditions. The sole function of a humidor is to preserve the character in cigars and to also create an environment that allows cigars to improve with age. For this to happen it’s a requirement to eliminate the fluctuations, cycles and spikes in humidity—something refillable humidifiers cannot do. That’s why two-way humidity control is so essential. The natural oils and sugars contained in good tobacco are the heart and soul of a cigar, providing all the flavor and the foundation for improving with age. Good cigars are loaded with these oils and sugars and when aged properly the tobaccos will shed their harsher characteristics while allowing the oils and sugars to blossom into amazingly rich and pleasing flavors that will give you an unparalleled smoking experience.
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Will my cigars age properly if I use a refillable humidification device?
Cigars will not age as well when using traditional refillable elements. Refillable elements are all one-way humidifiers and actually hurt the aging process because they continually cycle the humidity inside your humidor by giving off more moisture when your device is full of water and less moisture when the device is low on water. This fluctuating process causes cigars to swell and contract, resulting in loss of the natural oils and sugars and your cigars, and preventing them from improving with age.
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Cigars will not age as well when using traditional refillable elements. Refillable elements are all one-way humidifiers and actually hurt the aging process because they continually cycle the humidity inside your humidor by giving off more moisture when your device is full of water and less moisture when the device is low on water. This fluctuating process causes cigars to swell and contract, resulting in loss of the natural oils and sugars and your cigars, and preventing them from improving with age.
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Do I need to remove the cellophane wrapper from my cigars to age them?
Cigars will age whether you have the cello on or not, so it’s a personal choice. The cello physically protects the cigar from handling damage, but it also prevents the cigar from marrying with its neighbors and absorbing character from the cedar lining. So if all the cigars are the same style…e.g. all Connecticut Shade, you may choose remove the cello. But if you have multiple types of cigars in your humidor…perhaps some Maduros, some CT Shade, some Rosado… you might want to keep the cello on so that each type maintains its unique character.
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Cigars will age whether you have the cello on or not, so it’s a personal choice. The cello physically protects the cigar from handling damage, but it also prevents the cigar from marrying with its neighbors and absorbing character from the cedar lining. So if all the cigars are the same style…e.g. all Connecticut Shade, you may choose remove the cello. But if you have multiple types of cigars in your humidor…perhaps some Maduros, some CT Shade, some Rosado… you might want to keep the cello on so that each type maintains its unique character.
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Does propylene glycol provide two-way humidity control?
No. Propylene glycol (P-G) does not provide two-way humidity control. The resultant humidity from P-G is dependent on whatever the ratio of water to P-G is at that specific moment in time. If the ratio is perfect for a given temperature, it will maintain the humidity at about 70%. However, it does not react to the environment like 2-way humidity control does. To meet the definition of two-way humidity control, the technology must be able to CONTROL its environment – rather than be DEPENDENT ON its environment. The ONLY technology in the world that fits this definition is a saturated solution, which is the foundation of Humidipak’s Bóveda product. All other products, including propylene glycol, clay, desiccants, silica gel and silica beads are one-way humidifiers because the resultant level of humidity inside the humidor depends on the ambient temperature and humidity. No technology, other than Humidipak's two-way humidity control, as used in Bóveda, can be pre-set to maintain a
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No. Propylene glycol (P-G) does not provide two-way humidity control. The resultant humidity from P-G is dependent on whatever the ratio of water to P-G is at that specific moment in time. If the ratio is perfect for a given temperature, it will maintain the humidity at about 70%. However, it does not react to the environment like 2-way humidity control does. To meet the definition of two-way humidity control, the technology must be able to CONTROL its environment – rather than be DEPENDENT ON its environment. The ONLY technology in the world that fits this definition is a saturated solution, which is the foundation of Humidipak’s Bóveda product. All other products, including propylene glycol, clay, desiccants, silica gel and silica beads are one-way humidifiers because the resultant level of humidity inside the humidor depends on the ambient temperature and humidity. No technology, other than Humidipak's two-way humidity control, as used in Bóveda, can be pre-set to maintain a
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Are silica beads and/or silica gel two-way humidity control products?
No. To meet the definition of two-way humidity control, the technology must be able to CONTROL its environment – rather than be DEPENDENT ON its environment. The ONLY technology in the world that fits this definition is a saturated solution, which is the foundation of Humidipak’s Bóveda product. All other products, including propylene glycol, clay, desiccants, silica gel and silica beads are one-way humidifiers because the resultant level of humidity inside the humidor depends on the ambient temperature and humidity. No technology, other than Humidipak's two-way humidity control, as used in Bóveda, can be pre-set to maintain a precise level of humidity regardless of what the ambient environment is. Period. If any other company claims that their product can maintain a certain humidity level, such as 70%, and it doesn’t utilize a saturated salt solution, they are MISLEADING you. If the product doesn't contain salt saturated in water, it will NOT eliminate fluctuations or cycle
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No. To meet the definition of two-way humidity control, the technology must be able to CONTROL its environment – rather than be DEPENDENT ON its environment. The ONLY technology in the world that fits this definition is a saturated solution, which is the foundation of Humidipak’s Bóveda product. All other products, including propylene glycol, clay, desiccants, silica gel and silica beads are one-way humidifiers because the resultant level of humidity inside the humidor depends on the ambient temperature and humidity. No technology, other than Humidipak's two-way humidity control, as used in Bóveda, can be pre-set to maintain a precise level of humidity regardless of what the ambient environment is. Period. If any other company claims that their product can maintain a certain humidity level, such as 70%, and it doesn’t utilize a saturated salt solution, they are MISLEADING you. If the product doesn't contain salt saturated in water, it will NOT eliminate fluctuations or cycle
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Do cigar manufacturers use two-way humidity control?
Yes. Many cigar makers are now starting to include Humidipak's two-way humidity control packets in their cigar box/packaging to protect the natural oils and sugars in the cigars during shipping and distribution. These manufacturers include Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. (including the world-renowned Fuente Fuente OpusX), Toraño Cigars, CAO Cigars, Nat Sherman, Padilla Miami, Davidoff (for the exclusive 100th Anniversary Diadema Finas), and others. In addition, various catalog and internet companies use Humidipak to protect cigar shipments to their customers.
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Yes. Many cigar makers are now starting to include Humidipak's two-way humidity control packets in their cigar box/packaging to protect the natural oils and sugars in the cigars during shipping and distribution. These manufacturers include Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. (including the world-renowned Fuente Fuente OpusX), Toraño Cigars, CAO Cigars, Nat Sherman, Padilla Miami, Davidoff (for the exclusive 100th Anniversary Diadema Finas), and others. In addition, various catalog and internet companies use Humidipak to protect cigar shipments to their customers.
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What does two-way humidity control mean?
Two-way humidity control literally responds to the ambient climate by adding or absorbing water-vapor, as needed, to maintain a specific, pre-determined level of relative humidity. This 2-way control eliminates all the peaks and valleys that one-way humidifiers inherently cause.
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Two-way humidity control literally responds to the ambient climate by adding or absorbing water-vapor, as needed, to maintain a specific, pre-determined level of relative humidity. This 2-way control eliminates all the peaks and valleys that one-way humidifiers inherently cause.
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What RH level should I choose?
Choosing the correct Bóveda RH level depends on two factors—(1) the effectiveness of your humidor, and (2) your own personal taste. If you smoke cigars from different countries of origin, our recommendation is to maintain your humidor at 68 to 69%, as this will be a very good level for all types of cigars and blends. Therefore, in order to compensate for the rate of moisture loss that occurs in wood humidors, you will need to choose the Bóveda 72% just to maintain the desired level of 68 to 69%. In non-wood humidors, on the other hand, such as hard plastic or Tupperware, the Bóveda packets will maintain the RH at exactly the level stated on the front of each packet.
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Choosing the correct Bóveda RH level depends on two factors—(1) the effectiveness of your humidor, and (2) your own personal taste. If you smoke cigars from different countries of origin, our recommendation is to maintain your humidor at 68 to 69%, as this will be a very good level for all types of cigars and blends. Therefore, in order to compensate for the rate of moisture loss that occurs in wood humidors, you will need to choose the Bóveda 72% just to maintain the desired level of 68 to 69%. In non-wood humidors, on the other hand, such as hard plastic or Tupperware, the Bóveda packets will maintain the RH at exactly the level stated on the front of each packet.
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Can I revive a dried out cigar?
The only way to restore the proper moisture-content of a dried out cigar is to do it gradually. Bóveda will do this for you. However, once a cigar has lost any of its moisture, it has also lost some of its natural oils and sugars, and consequently some of its flavor.
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The only way to restore the proper moisture-content of a dried out cigar is to do it gradually. Bóveda will do this for you. However, once a cigar has lost any of its moisture, it has also lost some of its natural oils and sugars, and consequently some of its flavor.
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How long can I age my cigars?
For the most part, it’s a matter of conjecture and results will vary with the type and quality of the tobacco. Some folks say up to 10 years, but many collectors including the staff at Cigar Aficionado magazine have tasted pre-embargo Cubans that have aged for over 40 years and they were clearly fantastic. So use your own judgment…Just like cellaring wine, you should taste one every year or so to see how they’re doing. The bottom line? Cigars will improve very nicely with age…but only if they’re stored in a proper aging environment.
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For the most part, it’s a matter of conjecture and results will vary with the type and quality of the tobacco. Some folks say up to 10 years, but many collectors including the staff at Cigar Aficionado magazine have tasted pre-embargo Cubans that have aged for over 40 years and they were clearly fantastic. So use your own judgment…Just like cellaring wine, you should taste one every year or so to see how they’re doing. The bottom line? Cigars will improve very nicely with age…but only if they’re stored in a proper aging environment.
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