The humidor
The best way to keep the freshness of quality cigars such as the Cohiba Talisman or Hoyo de Monterrey remains a good humidor. But humidors are expensive. “Those who are beginning their exploration in the world of cigars can get a small, simple humidor,” recommends Terry Pomerantz, a fine cigar connoisseur.
Gelatine Packets
An inexpensive way to keep your cigars cool is to place gelatin packets at the bottom of your small humidor. These bags are sold in specialized cigar shops. The sachet is good for 3 months. It absorbs humidity, thus keeping your cigar in the best conditions with a humidity level of about 71%.
Ziploc type freezer bags
If you receive a quality cigar as a gift and plan to wait for a special occasion to smoke it, place it in a Ziploc freezer bag with a Humidipak. Then place the bag in the freezer. You can take it out one or two days before smoking it.
Tobacco parasites
Two types of parasites can sabotage your cigars. If you store your cigars in an environment that is too humid or in a defective humidor, a green foam may form on the surface of some of them. This is called fungus. In this case, unfortunately, you must discard the affected cigars, clean the humidor, and carefully examine the cigars spared by the fungus before putting them back in the humidor. However, if it is a white foam you should only wipe the cigar before lighting it and savouring it.
The cigars you buy on the beach or in the factories you visit sometimes contain tiny insects. Even if they are from excellent brands, their parasites are particularly invasive. Terry is indignant: “These little bugs can ruin every cigar in your humidor. They eat the tobacco and puncture small holes in the outer wrapper. Now that they have become porous, all your cigars are no longer good to smoke!”
The freezer is an excellent antiseptic
To eliminate these bugs and save your cigars, put them in a Ziploc bag and place the bag in the freezer. “When I come back from Cuba or the Dominican Republic, I quarantine all the cigars I bought in the freezer for a month. That way, I eliminate the parasites before storing them in a humidor. You never know. It’s better to be safe than to irreparably compromise a complete collection of excellent cigars in a short period of time,” Terry concludes while gently blowing blue smoke from a Monterey Churchills.
A cigar enthusiast, Terry Pomerantz shares his expert advice on the different brands, types of cigars, and essential accessories to have. Immerse yourself in his recommendations to magnify your experience with each cigar, which you can enjoy in good company, an invitation to take the time to live each moment to the full.