How to store cigars

Cigars are made from leaf that was mostly grown and aged in the tropics, and they need a little of that climate to smoke well. Too dry and they crack and burn hot. Too wet and they won't stay lit.

Humidity

Aim for 65 to 70 percent relative humidity. Many smokers prefer the lower end because the cigars draw and burn a little better. A cheap digital hygrometer tells you where you are, and it's worth checking against a calibration kit once or twice a year.

Temperature

Keep them around 65 to 70°F and out of the sun. Warmth is the bigger risk: tobacco beetles hatch when it gets hot and humid, and they'll chew holes through a box. If a cigar ever shows tiny pinholes, seal the whole batch in a zip bag, freeze it for about three days, then move it to the fridge for a day before it comes back to room temperature. The slow return keeps the wrappers from cracking.

The humidor

A humidor is a box lined with Spanish cedar, which holds moisture and adds a little aroma. A new one needs seasoning before it can hold humidity: wipe the inside lightly with distilled water, or leave an 84 percent seasoning pack in it for about two weeks, then load the cigars.

For moisture, two-way humidity packs are the easiest option. They add or absorb water to hold a set level. If you use a sponge or bead humidifier instead, fill it with distilled water or humidor solution, never tap water.

No humidor yet

A sealed plastic container or a zip bag with a humidity pack keeps a handful of cigars in good shape for months.

Resting new cigars

Cigars that just came through the mail can smoke tight or harsh. Give them a week or two in the humidor before you light one. Some cigars get better with months or years of rest, and when I think one will, the review says so.