If you love cigars, you need a humidor
Even if you've only recently started enjoying fine cigars, you should buy a quality humidor before your collection continues to grow. The cigar box you received with your cigars may be fine for transport, but it won't keep the cigars in prime condition in the long run. As you know, some cigars need to be stored for 6 or 7 years before they reach their best smoking condition. If you don't have a good humidor, that cigar will be ruined before you can smoke it.
Decide what type of humidor you need
The first step in buying a cutter visol is deciding where you want to keep it and how big you want it to be. Do you want a humidor for your home, office, country club or for travel? If you have a small collection that you keep at the club, a humidor with 12 to 20 cigars should be sufficient.
Twelve is probably best for travel. A humidor for home or office can hold 100 or more cigars. If you want to place it on your desk, a 100-cigar humidor that enhances your decor is best. If you have 300 cigars, then a cabinet humidor may be a better place to store them. Cabinet humidors can be plain to be stored in a closet or large, decorative boxes that are suitable for display.
Look for quality workmanship and materials
Once you've made these decisions, you can start shopping. The best humidors are made from wood that has been dried to a moisture content of 6%. The wood should be solid hardwood, not plywood. The surface should be smooth, without cracks or lumps. Travel humidors may be made of metal to protect both the cigars and the case from damage. If possible, you should take your travel humidor with you on the plane, but it should also be safe in your suitcase.
The lining of the humidor should be Spanish cedar or Honduran mahogany. Spanish cedar is not the same as the cedar your closet is lined with. Closet cedar is far too strong for cigars.
A good humidor keeps ideal conditions
The humidor should be large enough to store your cigars comfortably and loosely. If you enjoy more than one type of cigar, look for a humidor with dividers so the flavors don't blend together. Check the closed lid to make sure the box seals tightly when full.
Most humidors come with a hygrometer and some type of humidifier. The hygrometer is either an analog scale or a digital display that shows the moisture content of the box. Both work equally well, so it's just a matter of personal preference. Humidifiers come in different shapes, sizes and formats. You'll often see tubes filled with distilled water or humidifying liquid, and plastic rectangles containing humidifying crystals. A larger humidor may be equipped with an electronic humidifier to accurately maintain humidity between 70% and 72%.
Proper humidor maintenance is key
Once you receive the humidor and have conditioned the hygrometer and humidifier according to the instructions, allow the box to humidify for a few days before adding cigars. Keep the humidor away from direct heat sources, air conditioning, direct sunlight and drafts. All four will dry out the box and could damage the cigars inside. You should open the humidor every few days to allow fresh air to circulate in the box.
A humidor is the only way to store your cigars and keep them in good condition. High quality humidors do not have to be expensive. You can find an attractive humidor at an affordable price and spend the rest of your money on great cigars and other necessary cigarette accessories.