Wet Pluto

For cigar smokers around the world, there is no greater pleasure than relaxing and puffing on a classic cigar. The essence of these wonderful handmade cigars is their flavor, which can be maintained only when they are kept moist at a particular level of humidity. Cigar humidors serve the purpose of preserving the cigars at an optimal level of humidity.

Cigar humidors are used to store cigars at the optimum conditions so as to preserve their flavor and help them mature over time. Humidors also exhibit some of the finest craftsmanship one can find, and hence they come with a hefty price tag.

Most cigar humidors are made of wood, although one might also come across a few made of glass or plastic. Spanish cedar is the most popular choice when it comes to wooden humidors for several reasons. The wood has a tendency to retain more moisture than other types, thus maintaining the required humidity. Spanish cedar also holds the cigar aroma for a longer time and is less prone to bugs such as tobacco beetles. Apart from Spanish cedar, American red cedar and Honduran mahogany are the other popular choices for humidors.

Since the main purpose of a humidor is to hold moisture, most cigar humidors come with hygrometers. The hygrometers are usually analog hygrometers, although some brands may offer digital ones. The ideal humidity level in a humidor should be maintained around 65-70%. The box should be completely filled as far as possible, as the humidity tends to drop when there are empty spaces.

In order to retain the quality of the cigars, one needs to take proper care of the humidors. Cleaning the humidor with a moist cloth and immersing it in distilled water for an hour will ensure that the humidor retains the moisture. Cigar humidors come in several shapes and sizes and some are beautifully handcrafted. The prices may range from $15 to over $250, depending on the artwork and the quality of the wood used.