How to store cigars: the art of humidity and cedar
A cigar is a living product. Hand-rolled from fermented tobacco leaves, it keeps exchanging moisture with the air around it. Storing it well means giving it a stable environment: not too dry, not too humid, not too warm. Here are the principles of cigar storage, and what a quality humidor changes day to day.
The principles of cigar storage
Three parameters matter: air humidity, temperature and the overall stability of both. A cigar left in the open in a heated home dries out within days: the wrapper turns brittle, the burn runs hot, the aromas fade. Conversely, too much humidity makes a cigar soft, hard to draw and prone to mould.
Storing cigars therefore means recreating, in a closed space, the conditions of a controlled tropical climate.
Humidity and temperature
Relative humidity is the moisture level of the air. For its humidors, Maison LAC recommends 68 to 72%. Other makers and specialists give similar values, between 65 and 75%; all agree on one point: stability matters more than the exact number (humidor humidity).
Temperature directly affects relative humidity. Maison LAC recommends 19°C. Above about 21 to 23°C, several sources report a higher risk of tobacco beetles.
The role of wood
The interior of a humidor is traditionally lined with Spanish cedar, Cedrela odorata. This fragrant wood accompanies the storage and ageing of cigars. At Maison LAC it is genuine cedar, not the okoumé now used by many makers (why we refuse okoumé).
The role of a quality humidor
A humidor brings together four elements: a well-fitted lid, a source of humidity, a suitable wood and a hygrometer to monitor it all (what is a humidor?).
The quality of each makes the difference. A poorly fitted lid lets humidity escape; an undersized humidifier struggles to keep up; an inaccurate hygrometer gives false reassurance. Maison LAC humidors are handcrafted in our Antibes workshop, lined with genuine cedar, and fitted with the TL10® humidifier designed by the house and a Fischer hair hygrometer.
Good daily habits
- Season the humidor before adding cigars (seasoning a new humidor).
- Read the hygrometer each time you open it.
- Refill the humidifier with demineralised water.
- Renew the air regularly (airing a humidor).
- Keep the humidor away from heat and direct light.
- Store flavoured cigars apart from natural ones.
Storing or ageing?
Keeping a cigar in good condition is not the same as ageing it. Ageing is a slow change in taste that takes time and patience (cigar storage or ageing).
Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal conditions for storing a cigar?
Stable humidity around 68 to 72%, a temperature close to 19°C, away from light, in a closed humidor lined with cedar. The stability of these conditions matters more than their exact value.
Can you store cigars without a humidor?
For a few days, in their closed original box, away from any heat source. Beyond that, without humidity control, cigars dry out.
How long can you keep a cigar?
In a well-regulated humidor, several years. Long storage in good conditions does not harm cigars; some aficionados even age them on purpose.