Archive for March, 2010

A way to keep your Smoke in Perfect Condition

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

For folk who smoke stogies, it can become something of an obsession. Over time, cigar smokers frequently develop precise rituals that they stick to every time they smoke a stogie, and can be quite particular about how they store their smokes.  If you’re not privy to this obsession of smoking the  ‘perfect’ cigar, then you also probably don’t get the requirement for a cigar humidor.  The basic purpose of a cigar humidor is to both store and protect cigars.  Many cigar enthusiasts believe that cigars need to be stored at a specific temperature in order to maintain their top flavor.  That’s’s exactly what the cigar humidor does – maintains a constant temperature.  You won’t have to store machine made cigars like your Black and Milds in a humidor. Opinions change, but it’s’s typically thought that the range between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for cigars.  The humidity also must be controlled, and kept at a level typically 70-72% humidity.  Cigar fans have long debated about the ideal temperature required for the storing of cigars.  Some insist that even a slight fluctuation in temperature can prove detrimental to the flavor of their cigars, and insist on a temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit.  Others are a bit more flexible and allow a slight quantity of temperature fluctuation.  Generally all of them agree the lower the temperature, the quicker the cigar will age, which will then bring about a decrease in flavor.  If you want to maintain the flavor, integrity and color of your favorite smokes, then a cigar humidor is critical.  What features should you be on the lookout for buying a cigar humidor?  The one necessary feature is that it has to be fully closed once the lid is shut.  If the lid isn’t snug and secure, then it’s possible the temperature or humidity within will vary.  A lid that’s’s tight also impedes any other outside elements contaminating the cigars, and stops any moisture exchange.  It’s beneficial if the inside of the cigar humidor is smooth and seamless, to prevent snagging of cigars ( or fingers ).  It is also handy to have fittings within the humidor to help in the keeping of the smokes.