| Cigar Care & Storage
For centuries, cigars have been a symbol of refinement and elegant indulgence. For those who appreciate the good things in life, like food and wine, smoking a fine cigar is the ultimate experience, as long as the cigar has been protected in an environment similar to the Caribbean Climate.
The ideal storage condition for a cigar is approximately 70% humidity at 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If cigars are stored in conditions that are too moist or too hot, this will cause the cigar to swell, forcing the wrapper to expand and fall apart. Dry cigars can be moisturized if they haven't cracked and fallen apart first, but the flavor will never be as good as they were originally. This is why it is important to store cigars in a well-maintained Humidor...
Seasoning Your Humidor:
Step 1: If your humidor came equipped with a humidity regulator and hygrometer and they are already mounted, you may proceed to Step 2. If not, carefully attach the mounting devices for your humidity regulator and hygrometer, being careful not to place them too close together. Let the mounting pads sit overnight so the adhesives can bond to the interior surface of the humidor lid. After sitting overnight, the hygrometer may be placed in position.
Step 2: The interior of your humidor is lined with unfinished Spanish cedar. Take a clean sponge moistened with distilled water and rub down the inside walls of your new humidor so that all of the cedar is moistened. Then place a piece of clear plastic on the bottom of your humidor and place the moistened sponge on top of the plastic. Close your humidor and let it sit for 24 hours. If the sponge is dry after 24 hours, repeat this step for another 24 hours. It could take up to 3 days to fully condition your new humidor. If the sponge is still moist after 24 hours, then it is time to take the sponge and plastic out of your humidor and establish proper humidity.
Establishing Proper Humidity:
Remove your humidity regulator from the humidor if it is not already. Apply one ounce of Humidification Solution and distilled water, mixed at a ratio of three-to-one. The regulator can now be placed in the humidor.
To maintain your humidor, add distilled water when needed to the humidification system.
Your humidor is ready to hold your cigars. Make sure your humidor is storing at least half its cigar capacity. This will prevent the humidor from competing for humidity with the cigars... But don't pack it full either as the cigars need space between them to breathe.
Maintaining Proper Humidification:
To maintain your humidor, add distilled water to the humidity regulator when needed, adding a few drops of Humidification Solution every 2 to 3 months. Remember, the proper relative humidity for a humidor is 70%, best monitored with a digital hygrometer. If you would like to increase the humidity in your humidor, add more Humidification Solution in one ounce increments. Allow three days for the humidity to stabilize in the humidor. Be patient with your humidor, a little work and persistence will reward you with perfectly aged and humidified cigars.
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