How to Store Cigars Properly: The Complete Guide

Introduction

Proper cigar storage is the difference between a perfect smoking experience and a ruined one. Cigars are delicate, handmade products that require specific conditions to preserve flavour, aroma, and construction.

This comprehensive guide teaches you everything you need to know about how to keep your cigars in the best possible condition.

One of the first and best accessories you can get when you purchase your first humidor, whether you are going for a traditional wooden humidor, a tupperdore, or even an electric humidor, is a WiFi and Bluetooth equipped hygrometer. This will allow you to keep track of the humidity within your humidors.

Now, just as I will explain below regarding seasoning humidors, it’s best to always calibrate your hygrometer before using it. There are two ways to do this:

Boveda sells a hygrometer calibration kit, which is very useful.
Or you can DIY it yourself using a ziplock bag and a Boveda pack something like a 65% pack. Pop them both inside for at least 24 hours before checking to make sure the hygrometer reads the same percentage as the Boveda you placed inside.

Why Cigar Storage Matters

Cigars are hygroscopic, they absorb and release moisture from the environment.

If cigars get too dry, they can crack, burn too fast, lose their flavour, or become bitter and harsh. However, if cigars get too humid, they can expand and unravel, taste sour or muddy, and can become hard to draw. They can also develop mould, which is another issue altogether.

This is why correct storage is not optional; it is essential.

Ideal Conditions for Storing Cigars

When it comes to storage conditions for cigars, each aficionado may have their own preference, just like their taste. However, there are a few rules to consider.

The industry-standard rule says:

• 65–70% humidity
• 18–21°C (65–70°F)

This range keeps cigars supple, flavourful, and burn-ready.

However, depending on whether you are keeping your Cuban and non-Cuban cigars in the same humidor or separately, these percentages may change slightly.

My personal preference and suggestion would be to keep your humidity between 62% at the very lowest and 65% at the highest. This may also depend on where you live, but considering I am mostly speaking to aficionados within the UK, these figures would be perfect.

Some people may get caught up on temperatures; however, from experience, as long as your humidity levels are within those ranges, the temperature doesn’t matter quite as much.

Choosing a Humidor

A humidor is a sealed box that controls humidity. There are many different types of humidors: from traditional wooden humidors to makeshift tupperdores and electric humidors.

Below is a quick basic guide to humidors, but as always it comes down to personal preference, time spent maintaining them, and finally money. So take this list below with a pinch of salt.

Types of Humidors

• Desktop Humidors – 25–150 cigars, perfect for new smokers and seasoned smokers alike
• Cabinet Humidors – furniture-sized/free-standing, usually 500+ cigars
• Travel Humidors – airtight, usually hard cases for short trips, typically holding 5, 10, 15, or 20+ cigars
• Cigar Coolers (Electric) – ideal if room temperature varies
• Tupperdores – airtight plastic containers (i.e., Sistema), budget-friendly and low maintenance

As I mentioned above, picking the correct humidor will depend on a few things: time required to maintain it, the space to keep it, the money to spend on one, and whether this hobby is even for you.

My advice would be that if you are a new or occasional smoker, then go for a tupperdore. All you need is one and a Boveda pack (62–65%). Do NOT go above 65%, because a tupperdore is airtight and humidity will run a few percentage points higher.

For example, if you have a tupperdore with a 65% Boveda, the humidity inside will likely be around 68–69%. But if you put a 69% Boveda inside, then it would be around 70%, which will eventually cause your cigars to be over-humidified and grow mould, ruining them.

As long as you stay within the 62–65% Boveda packs, tupperdores are a stress-free way of storing your cigars. Just drop one or two in with your cigars and forget about it.

Unlike traditional wooden humidors, which require more maintenance such as seasoning when purchased and occasionally re-seasoning when environmental conditions change.

Seasoning Your Humidor (The Essential Step)

Seasoning is the most important step when purchasing your first humidor.

DO NOT just put cigars into a new humidor. The wood is dry and will steal moisture from your cigars, drying them out and ruining them in the process.

Always season your humidor and make sure the humidity levels are correct before adding your cigars.

Don’t be afraid if, after seasoning your humidor and adding your cigars, the humidity levels either rise or drop a few percentage points. That is normal while your cigars acclimate to the new environment.

Step-by-Step Seasoning

Below is a traditional way to season your humidor:

• Wipe the interior lightly with distilled water
• Add a cup of distilled water inside
• Insert humidity packs or a humidifier
• Let sit for 2–5 days
• Wait until humidity reaches 65%+
• Add cigars

There is also an easier option: the Boveda humidor seasoning pack, which includes 4× 84% packs and 4× 72% packs.

You place the 84% packs in for two weeks, then the 72% packs for another two weeks. After that, your humidor should be seasoned and you can replace the Boveda packs with your preferred humidity percentage.

Humidification Options

When it comes to humidification options, especially for wooden humidors, there are two main options:

Boveda packs
Distilled water sponge systems

Personally, I would recommend Boveda packs, as they provide more consistent humidity. They are essentially a set-and-forget system—just place them in your humidor and replace them once they become solid.

Recently, a new company called Boost has entered the market. They work in a similar way to Boveda packs; however, they do not become solid in the same way, making it harder to know when they need replacing.

The other option is the distilled sponge method, which involves wiping the humidor with distilled water and leaving a soaked sponge inside. While traditional humidors often include these systems, they tend to provide uneven humidity levels and inaccurate readings.

Managing Long-Term Storage

When it comes to long-term cigar storage, there are a few things you should consider:

• Rotate cigars monthly (top to bottom)
• Keep humidors out of direct sunlight
• Avoid cold drafts or heaters
• Check hygrometers weekly
• Age stronger cigars separately

When storing cigars long-term, especially in a tupperdore, you do not want to keep your humidors in direct sunlight or near warm or humid rooms. These environments can increase humidity inside the humidor and potentially ruin your cigars.

Also, don’t put cigars in a humidor at the back of a cupboard and forget about them. Always check them periodically, otherwise you may eventually discover mould when you go to smoke them.

As long as you follow the steps above, long-term storage is very doable (providing you can resist smoking them all first!).

The Science of Aging Cigars

Many cigars improve with time, provided they are kept at the correct humidity. Aging is a delicate process that, if not done correctly, can easily ruin a great cigar. However, when done right, aging can elevate a good cigar into something exceptional.

I always recommend trying one cigar first and making notes about the flavour profile before aging the rest. Then revisit them periodically to see how they evolve.

Aged cigars often develop:

• Softer edges
• More complexity
• Smoother strength
• Deeper sweetness

Ideal humidity for aging is around 65%. I would not go above this, as long-term storage above that level becomes a breeding ground for mould.

And don’t let the misinformed masses tell you it’s not mould but “plume.” Scientific studies have shown that plume is simply mould development, so it’s best to avoid it entirely.

Troubleshooting

Cigar storage can feel daunting at first, but occasional issues do arise.

Below is a quick troubleshooting guide for common problems you may encounter.

Dry Cigars

• Rehydrate slowly. Place in a humidor with a 65% Boveda pack for 2–3 weeks.

Over-Humidified Cigars

• Leave them out for 12–24 hours in a cigar box (known as dry boxing).

Mould vs. Plume

• White powdery spots = discard
• Green or blue fuzzy growth = discard

If in doubt, it’s always better to discard the cigar than risk your health.

Conclusion

With the right humidor setup and a little consistency, you’ll enjoy cigars exactly how the blender and roller intended, flavourful, balanced, and beautifully preserved every time.

As always, thank you for reading this article and supporting us. Let us know what you’d like to see next!