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Beyond Toscano

The ‘do it yourself’ humidor

In circles of cigar aficionados, there is great debate on the merits of humidors – the carefully constructed storage containers that allow cigar...
Il Sigaro della Sera
In circles of cigar aficionados, there is great debate on the merits of humidors – the carefully constructed storage containers that allow cigar owners to micro-manage the climate inside. By maintaining an optimum temperature and humidity, the humidor preserves a cigar’s flavor and texture for much longer than if it was left in an open pack, helping it age gracefully, and building anticipation. 
 
Good humidors can be expensive, but for those on a budget, there is a much simpler version that chances are, they already have in their kitchen – the humble jar. Pick a jar with an airtight lid and assuming the light and heat surrounding it are carefully managed, you can pretty much preserve a cigar to a similar standard as many humidors. 
 
Technically, it should make no difference whether the jar is ceramic or glass – both are sterile enough not to taint the flavor in a way a metal might, though care must be taken to ensure no moisture is already in the jar before sealing. Glass offers the benefit of being able to see the visual effects of aging on the cigar, without having to open the lid and risk letting moisture in. However, this also means light can enter, which can effect the wrapper or trigger biochemical distortions in the cigar itself. 
 
Ceramic jars don’t have this problem, but then, you need to open the lid every now and then to check up on things, or be able to have faith and resist the temptation. The best solution then, is to use a glass jar, but keep it wrapped or completely in the dark – and if you’re storing a few cigars, carefully manage how and when you open the lid to take one. 
 
Another thing you can consider is whether you want to enhance the flavor of your jar cigars with a touch of oak. Traditionally, cigars were shipped in wooden containers, many enjoying the taste of the wood seeping in to the wrappers. If you want to recreate this effect, simply add smashed or cut wood to the jars. Experimenting with the tastes created by different kinds of can prove very rewarding.