Don Conti Hand Made Cigars

After a longer period of storage time, cigars may show signs of distress, mold, or other ailments. These issues, however, do not necessarily tell of the demise of a cigar; when properly addressed, cigars may survive most setbacks. If a tear occurs in the wrapping, use a vegetable-based adhesive to repair it. Wiping mold from a cigar, then leaving at room temperature/humidity for 36 hours before placing back into a freshly cleaned humidor (clean with rubbing alcohol) will restore the handmade cigar. Note that mold has an appearance of gray-blue fuzz. Tobacco beetles are controlled by freezing all cigars– that were in proximity to the affected cigars–in an airtight container for 48 hours. Wipe down the humidor with rubbing alcohol, bring cigars back to room temperature, and return them to their proper place.

White spots or a “dusty” appearance is called bloom, or plume, and is a sign of proper aging. Many cigar aficionados prefer cigars with bloom. Always seek to store cigars in the best way possible–use a humidor with a digital hygrometer–and they will deliver the best performance.

Storing cigars may be a subject that can cause one’s anxiety level to skyrocket, and might actually prevent a novice from beginning his own collection of fine cigars at all. The truth is, proper cigar care and storage does not require a masters degree or even a weekend class certification. When stored in proper conditions, cigars can last a long time. The truth is, like a fine wine, a good cigar gets better with age. Experts say that anywhere between five and ten years is a good timeline for aging a cigar. After the ten year mark, no notable improvements can be detected, and after fifteen years, cigars begin to deteriorate.

Most cigars are best stored around 70˚ F, with a 70% relative humidity. There are a few exceptions to this rule, and it is always best to research particular brands if they are considered rare. Relative humidity is measured with a hygrometer, which can be either analog or digital. It is always best to use digital whenever possible, as an analog hygrometer can have a 10% margin of error.

When contemplating cigars, humidors must be considered as well. The truth is, while a humidor is the absolute best way to store these prized possessions, they are not completely necessary for a budding enthusiast. Zip-top style bags or air-tight plastic storage containers will also work to keep cigars for a short time. If cigars begin to dry out in this alternative storage method, adding a slightly dampened, tiny piece of paper will typically work to restore moisture.

When handmade or dominican cigars come wrapped in cellophane, it is best to leave them that way until they are ready to be smoked. The air will still flow to the cigar, and when left in their wrapping, there is no chance of bleeding their flavor into a different type of cigar that shares the same storage space.