| Copyright (c) 2008 Stephen Malan | | | | to warping which is imperative when used in a high |
| Buying cigars can be like buying fine wine....it can get | | | | humidity application such as a cigar humidor. Should |
| expensive! Don't shortchange yourself or your cigars | | | | the interior of your humidor warp, the seal on the |
| buy storing them in a substandard cigar humidor. This | | | | humidor will be broken and your cigars rendered |
| article will discuss the major components of a quality | | | | useless. Having the interior Kiln-Dried gets rid of all the |
| cigar humidor. | | | | natural moisture that all woods contain. If the humidor |
| Below is a short list of the more important items to | | | | you're looking at has trays, make sure that they are |
| consider when selecting a cigar humidor: | | | | ventilated to assure the humidity in your humidor can |
| 1. Seal: The most important aspect of a humidor is its | | | | circulate to all cigars in the humidor. |
| ability to hold humidity. The seal will do that. When | | | | 4. Style: Are you interested in impressing your poker |
| evaluating a cigar humidor, drop the lid from | | | | playing buddies or will a less fancy cigar humidor do? |
| approximately 2-3 inches to see how it closes. If it | | | | Matte finish or a multiple layer high gloss finish? One |
| lands on a cushion of air, the seal is fine. If it "clangs" | | | | for the golf bag? There are so many styles to |
| when the lid is dropped, walk away because that isn't | | | | choose from it can be pretty confusing. Just make |
| a quality humidor....in fact, "it's just a box". Look to | | | | sure the humidor fits your personal style. |
| see what hinges are used to close the lid. Quality | | | | 5. Quality: Don't let price alone influence your decision |
| cigar humidors will have hidden quadrant hinges and | | | | as to what is a quality cigar humidor. There are many |
| or piano hinges, which provide the best seal possible. | | | | humidors on the market today that retail for less |
| 2. Exterior Construction: The sidewalls and bottom of | | | | than $100 that will keep your cigars perfectly fresh |
| the humidor should be at a minimum, ½" thick. | | | | for a long time. Look at all the variables discussed in |
| Thicker than average sidewalls will create a more | | | | steps 1-4 and you should have an easier time finding |
| stable humidor interior with less fluctuations in | | | | a quality humidor. |
| temperature or humidity. Large temperature and | | | | Try to avoid mixing mild and strong cigar in a single |
| humidity fluctuations will ruin your cigars. Check to | | | | humidor...especially if they come without cellophane |
| see if the outside bottom of the humidor is lined with | | | | wrappers. They will marry their aromas and you will |
| felt to prevent scratching of the furniture that you | | | | not have the cigars you thought you had. We always |
| place your humidor on. | | | | advise multiple cigar humidors if they have premium |
| 3. Interior Construction: It is extremely important that | | | | cigars without cellophane wrappers. Many premium |
| your humidor be lined in Kiln-Dried Spanish Cedar. This | | | | cigars, such as La Gloria Cubana Serie line, have no |
| is the industry standard when it comes to quality | | | | cellophane on their cigars and these should not come |
| made humidors. Kiln-Dried Spanish Cedar provides for | | | | in contact with other un-cellophaned cigars in your |
| less aromatic aromas than other woods which makes | | | | humidor. |
| it the more desirable choice when selecting a cigar | | | | Take your time...If you follow the 5 steps mentioned |
| humidor. "You don't want overly aromatic woods in | | | | above, you will have a much easier time in finding the |
| your humidor as it may impart an unwanted flavor to | | | | best cigar humidor for you. |
| your cigars". Additionally, Spanish cedar is less prone | | | | |