Storing Cigars
Caring for Your El Jefe Cigars
A fine cigar is a natural product. It is meant to rest, mature, and be enjoyed with care.
Give your cigar the right environment, and it will reward you with a better draw, an even burn, and the flavors and aromas its tobacco was meant to deliver.
The Ideal Environment
For traditional, non-flavored cigars, we recommend maintaining:
- Temperature:
- 65–70°F (18–21°C)
- Relative Humidity:
- 65–70% RH
Consistency is more important than chasing a single number. Avoid large swings in temperature or humidity, and always keep your cigars away from direct sunlight, heaters, hot cars, or other sources of heat.
Too little humidity can cause the wrapper to become brittle and the cigar to burn hot and quickly. Too much humidity can lead to a difficult draw, uneven burning, and, under the wrong conditions, mold.
For long-term storage, many experienced collectors prefer the lower end of the range, particularly around 65–68% RH.
Flavored & Infused Cigars
Flavored and infused cigars deserve their own space.
The added flavors and aromas can transfer to other cigars over time, changing the character of a traditional cigar. For this reason, we recommend keeping flavored cigars in a separate humidor or sealed container.
A range of approximately 65–72% RH is commonly used for flavored and infused cigars. If you prefer a more controlled starting point, around 69% RH is a practical choice for keeping the tobacco supple while preserving its character.
Different flavored cigars can also carry very different aromas. Coffee, vanilla, spices, fruit, and other infused profiles can influence one another, so keeping different flavor profiles separated is ideal.
Your Humidor
A quality humidor is more than a box. It is the environment that protects your cigars and allows them to rest, mature, and maintain their character.
Most traditional humidors are lined with Spanish cedar, a wood prized for its ability to absorb and release moisture while contributing to the environment cigars need.
Before You Add Your Cigars: Seasoning Your Humidor
A new wooden humidor should be properly seasoned before your cigars are placed inside. The goal is to prepare the cedar so it can hold and maintain a stable level of humidity without pulling moisture from your cigars.
Step 1: Check Your Humidor
Make sure the inside of the humidor is clean and free of dust or loose wood particles.
Check that the lid closes properly and that the hinges and seal are functioning as they should.
Step 2: Prepare the Cedar
If your humidor manufacturer recommends traditional water-based seasoning, use only distilled water.
Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water. It should be damp, not dripping.
Gently wipe the exposed Spanish cedar surfaces inside the humidor.
Do not soak the wood, and do not leave standing water inside.
Never use tap water. Minerals and impurities can remain in the wood and affect your humidor over time.
Step 3: Add Your Humidification Source
Place your humidification device or an appropriate two-way humidity-control pack inside the empty humidor.
Close the lid and allow the cedar to gradually absorb moisture.
Do not rush this process. Depending on the humidor and the condition of the cedar, seasoning can take several days.
Step 4: Let It Stabilize
Keep the humidor closed and monitor the humidity with a reliable digital hygrometer.
Give the humidor time to reach and maintain a stable humidity level.
The goal is not simply to see a high humidity reading for a few hours. You want the cedar itself to become properly conditioned.
If the humidity drops quickly after closing the humidor, the cedar may still be absorbing moisture and needs more time.
Step 5: Check Before Adding Cigars
Once the humidor has maintained a stable humidity level for several days, it is ready for your cigars.
Before loading it, make sure there is no standing water, excessive condensation, or unusually high humidity.
Your humidor should provide a stable environment, not an overly wet one.
Monitor Your Hygrometer
Your hygrometer is one of the most important tools in your humidor.
When first setting up or seasoning a humidor, check the humidity once a day so you can make sure the environment is stabilizing properly.
Once your humidor has reached a stable level, checking it a few times per week is generally sufficient.
If your humidor is opened frequently, the weather changes significantly, or you are storing a valuable collection, checking it daily gives you better control.
A quick glance takes only a few seconds and can help you catch a problem before your cigars are affected.
Also keep an eye on temperature. Ideally, your humidor should remain around 65–70°F (18–21°C) with as little fluctuation as possible.
If your hygrometer or thermometer suddenly shows a significant change, investigate before making adjustments to the humidor.
A Note on Modern Humidification
If you prefer a simpler approach, two-way humidity-control packs can also be used to condition a new humidor.
Follow the instructions provided by the humidity-pack manufacturer and allow the cedar enough time to reach equilibrium before adding your cigars.
Once your humidor is properly seasoned, maintaining it becomes much easier.
Keep the humidor away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, and areas with large temperature changes.
Check your hygrometer regularly and replace your humidity source when necessary.
A properly prepared humidor should not need constant adjustment.
The goal is simple: stable conditions, protected tobacco, and cigars that are ready to be enjoyed when the moment comes.
Protect the Flavor
Cigars are naturally absorbent. They can take on aromas from their surroundings.
For that reason, keep cigars away from perfumes, scented candles, food, spices, cleaning products, and anything else with a strong smell.
This is especially important with premium, non-flavored cigars. Their character comes from the tobacco itself, and outside aromas can alter the experience over time.
No Humidor? No Problem.
You do not need an expensive humidor to keep a few cigars fresh.
For short- or medium-term storage, one of the simplest solutions is a clean, airtight plastic container or a quality resealable bag paired with a two-way humidity-control pack.
For traditional cigars, a 69% RH pack is a practical choice for an airtight container.
Keep the container closed, store it somewhere cool and dark, and keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
A dedicated cigar storage bag is another excellent option, especially for a smaller collection or when traveling. Purpose-made cigar bags are designed to retain humidity while protecting the cigars from dry air and outside odors.
A Simple No-Humidor Setup
- Use a clean, airtight container or quality resealable bag.
- Place your cigars inside without overcrowding them.
- Add an appropriate two-way humidity-control pack.
- Keep the cigars away from direct contact with liquids or wet materials.
- Seal the container.
- Store it in a cool, dark location.
- Check the condition of the humidity pack periodically.
Never place a wet sponge, soaked paper towel, or open container of water directly beside your cigars.
Too much uncontrolled moisture can do more harm than good.
If your cigars are flavored, keep them in their own sealed container so their aromas do not migrate into your traditional cigars.
Know the Signs
Your cigar will usually tell you when something is wrong.
Too Dry
A brittle wrapper, cracking, loose tobacco, or a cigar that burns unusually fast can indicate that it has lost too much moisture.
Too Humid
A cigar that feels unusually soft or spongy, burns unevenly, or has difficulty staying lit may be carrying too much moisture.
Mold
Fuzzy or spreading blue, green, or gray growth should be treated as mold.
Do not smoke a cigar that appears to have mold.
Bloom
A fine, dry-looking white powder on the wrapper can sometimes be plume or bloom, which is associated with natural oils migrating to the surface.
If it brushes away easily and does not look fuzzy, it may be harmless.
When there is any doubt, separate the cigar and consult an experienced tobacconist.