I am fairly new Boveda And so far I’m very impressed. This gentleman you’re speaking with I’ve seen him in several other videos and he’s convinced me to use them. In fact I’m re-seasoning both my wooden human orders with their 84% packs. I’ve been up and down about using acrylic or wood. I feel like wood is more authentic but not necessarily better for my cigars. I finally moved away from distilled water and sponge seasoning and have moved away from using a humidifier over to Boveda packs and now I’m using digital hygrometers instead of my analogues. So this old dog can learn new tricks. I see your point about long-term storage and not having the money to buy a bunch of wooden humidors. That being said I don’t have a bunch of money to buy cigars as regularly as I would like when the good sales come out. So basically my two humidors are holding what I have now but at some point in time I either want to get a big standup humidor or move into using sealed containers.I unfortunately threw away some good cigars because they were dry it out before checking how to revive them. Really regret that decision.
Hi Sokodad, Absolutely, Boveda offers many benefits! A good compromise is to use cedar strips inside an acrylic humidor. It will provide the benefits of the wood without the drawbacks. It's worth seasoning them first but since the wood is very thin, keeping them in one 84% pack in a ziplock bag or wiping them down with a moist sponge will usually be enough. You can also make a tupperdor (bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/diy/tupperdors/), which is a great cheap option if you budget won't allow for a variety of humidors if you wish to age cigars. All the best, CP
Dear Paul.... My name is Gerhard and I love watching your RUclips videos specifically when you were on Davidoff farm sorry for the loss I'm sure Claas will do a grate job and have been so impressed and inspired by your process of making cigars that 3 years ago I started planting my own seeds(we have spoken before a few years ago) well not as perfect and big in production as Davidoff ( sorry for the loss I'm sure Klaas will do a grate job) but I'm trying so with that being said I have a wonderful Snomaster electrical humidore that you can set to the precise humidity that you require and I love it and it looks beautiful on my counter where it sits at but just 2 things that I thought could change and you are the perfect person to talk to. The thing is in the inside it Has beechwood shelves and the wood is too, how can I say, it is too light in colour so I want to know if will my cigars be damaged or affected if I use some kind of a dark teek oil on the wood and also the led light in the unit is to bright to what other light can i change it into that will not have a negative effect on the cigars? Please if you can advice I would be grateful. Thanks
Hey there Gerhard, Thanks for your comment! Regarding the shelves, you can purchase cedar ones on amazon (such as these amzn.to/2COXlF7) and replace the beechwood ones, try and see if this would be a good fit. I would try this before attempting to paint/stain the existing shelves in the humidor given that, as you mention, the oil could damage the cigars. With regards to the LED lights, these will not affect your cigars. Sunlight is what you should be concerned about, but artificial led lights are fine. Rafael
Just bought a 100 count wooden humidor, I conditioned it for 2 weeks using the Boveda 84's, I can't thank Rob enough on his suggestion. I just opened it and put a digital hygrometer in it and it reads 72rh. PERFECT! Oh, I did keep the 84's in it since they were not hard just yet. I added 4 72rh 60 gram packs and so far, so VERY good. Thanks again gents
@@Bespokeunit I just watched that video. I was shocked when you put your fist through the bottom of that humidor! I hate that people prey on the uneducated and pass off such crap with a veneer. My humidor is very plain looking but at least it's solid and hold humidity perfectly!
Great points gents, I personally have an acrylic airtight jar for longer storage(laying down on its side rotated once a month) and a desktop wooden for quick smokes
We have a ton more cigar videos, both reviews and instructional, that I think you'll find very helpful if you've just started in the world of cigars. Rafael
Ive switched from wooden to tupperware air tight brilliance containers for over a year now and honestly, I dont run through boveda packs because the wood is not sucking up the boveda packs and I still have the cedar notes and smells from a wooden humidor. Ill never go back to wooden humidors, and another plus theyre cheap and easily obtainable. $10 for one at walmart and I stack 4 high and 1 on the side in my 20ct wine cooler so my 151 sticks in my collection fits perfectly fine.
I've pretty much done the same now. I keep a small one seasoned for when I have guests around. But my day to day and large storage options are all in large airtight containers. Cheers - Paul
I wish I could support my local B&M cigar shops, but their prices are outrageous. I refuse to pay 150% more per cigar when I can get them online much cheaper.
Hi Michael, We do understand that and sometimes we will pull the trigger on our sticks online because of the very low prices and deals that can be found. However, when we can, we do try to support our locals. Nevertheless, there are a small minority that do have high prices and perpetuate that reputation for everyone else... Best, CP
I'm in Canada and the prices here are pretty much the worst in the world. The Cubans range from $10 a stick to $100, with most being about an average of $50 per. I am just getting into cigars and have done a bunch of research on it and it would actually be cheaper for me to order from an online shop in the USA (and hope not to get hit with duty taxes) than it is buying from my local shop...even with the exchange rate and shipping.
My dream setup would be all wooden humidors, but I think ill end up keeping my Mantello 175 count glasstop for only my premiums and special occassion smokes and then a big acryllic one to display all my bundles and 5 dollar and under sticks. Ya know, to show the "inventory" haha
While Paul prefers reliable airtight containers, I agree with you. The wooden humidor, for me, is the quintessential cigar storage. However, it gets complicated once your cigar collection gets to a particular size. Ideally, I'd like to convert an antique cupboard or cabinet into a giant humidor by retrofitting it with a Spanish cedar or okoume lining. However, I have yet to find the right furniture for the job. Best, CP
@@Bespokeunit That sounds awesome. As much as I would love a huge cabinet, they are expensive and a lot of work to get set up. I'd rather have one or two small wooden ones for show and a coolerdor or wineador for quantity.
@@AlpineBishop that's currently the setup I have. Two desktop humidors (a wooden one and acrylic Boveda one) and two coolidors in the cellar. I'm fine with it and I know that my cigars are safe this way but I wouldn't mind something a little more elegant.
What's your view on using metal ammo boxes as a humidor? I have been using mine for about 3 months and it hold temp and humidity quite well and it's super cheap
Part of the joy for me is the collection being a talking point, people comment on a nice attractive humidor and it's a feature of the room. Sure, I can see why tupperware is easier and less hassle, but I'd miss the warm glow of the light from my unit, and seeing what I have to smoke on the shelves.
You're not alone in that. Both Boveda's Rob and I are still drawn to wooden humidors for that very reason. If you check out of video library, you'll see that Paul even splashed out on a beautifully-crafted Davidoff one too!
Thanks for the info on boveda I thinking of getting rid of the black ice containers and messing with water I started out a few years ago with air tight container which worked great then I was given and wooden humidor which took a bit to age but am now using most of the time I dont have a lot of stock LOL and I only smoke maybe once a week or so but love your info keep it up
If you're referring to acrylic humidors, you can check out our favorite ones here: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/acrylic/. If wooden, check out the top ones here: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/wooden/ Rafael
This video actually helped me answer my beard vs no beard dilemma. This guy is welcome to try and make his small head look bigger, but the beard is way too much. If it looks fake, silly, doesn’t suit you, etc… then don’t do it
Heat is my worry. The only sollution is a coolidor I suppose. Which one should I get if I want something decent but inexpensive? It doesn't need to be large as I'm just starting out.
Hey there, We're written a guide on cigar coolers which you can check out below. There are some relatively inexpensive options listed: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers/ Rafael
My humidor is fairly cold, occasionally reaching as low as 16 degrees celcius. This because I cool it by putting an ice pack on top of it, with a small towel in between, folded 2 times (4 layers of cloth), which I replace every 12 hours. This keeps the temperature between 16 and 20 degrees at all times (sometimes reaching close to 21 degrees), but it varies during those 12 hours obviously. Will this slow the aging process by alot or should it be fine in this temperature range? Humidity also varies but stays between 65 and 69 percent at all times. Thanks.
Those temperature changes aren't ideal but they're also not too extreme, so I don't believe they'll have detrimental effect on the aging process. However, I've never aged cigars in this manner myself so if you can remember, I'd be interested in hearing how it went for you in a couple months! (or however long you plan to age cigars for) Best, Rafael
Thanks guys. Question: is there a benefit to layering Boveda packs in a large humidor to ensure even transmission of humidity? I've been told that this could help prevent dry zones.
Hi Mark. You can put Boveda packs in different areas of the humidor if you fancy. For instance, a 100-count humidor can have two at the bottom on two on the top shelf. However, they should still be able to evenly distribute moisture even when place together as long as your humidor is airtight. That said, a leaky humidor will certainly benefit from evenly spacing them out. Best, CP
I use a airtight tupperware, but i also have an wood desktop Adorini humidor. I like the presentation and the cedarsmell it gives off. I like them both in diffrent way. Its like food. Exactly the same dish can be servedfrom s olastic box and on a fancy plate. Just the way the dish are served make it appear more tasty?
Agree with your points, can't hurt to have both, especially considering how pricey larger humidors can be. And yes, humidors are much like food, we eat (smoke) with our eyes! Rafael
@@Bespokeunit i dont have a huge collection. I keep the ones i am not intrested in smoking or storing for a long time in the tupperdor and some cigars in the Adorini humidor. It is a 25 count, but good enough for me!
With wooden humidors, there's a bit of trial and error. I suggest that you start low and the closest to the desired RH that you want. If the humidity level is too low, you then go for the level above. If they dry out very quickly, you might need to add more packs or consider seasoning the humidor. Meanwhile, if you know your humidor quite well and think it might be quite air-tight or a bit leaky, you can anticipate the amount of additional RH necessary.
@@Bespokeunit Sorry in the video I only saw 1 small Bovida pack in the big container as was curious if it was enough. I'm in Colorado and can never keep my humidor correct and I have 5 72percent in my 100 cigar humidor us one of the massive 69 percent. I can't get it above 67 percent. It's frustrating so I'm going sealed containers. Thanks
Thanks for the great insight. Any recommendations of acrylic vs stainless steel (or even glass) container? Looking to age some cubans for a year or so... If I can hold out that long! lol
Hi Darren, Boveda makes an excellent acrylic humidor that you can learn about here: ruclips.net/video/FisoDWDygWQ/видео.html I use the large Boveda acrylic humidor to prepare all the cigars that we review as it's very reliable! Alternatively, you could consider mason jars if you prefer glass. Those made by Le Parfait (amzn.to/2WqbIbM) have an excellent seal. The only downside is that the cigar will stand on its foot or head, which could get damaged if mishandled. Best, CP
Can a wood humidor make your cigars taste like it too much. For instance my humidor is pine and i swear all my stogies taste a little like pine??? Any solutions?
Hi Jacob, Is the interior pine? Spanish cedar (or okoumé on rarer occasions) are recommended as they are naturally insect repellant and may only impart a mild but positive flavour to the cigars, if anything at all. All the best, CP
Hi El Rico, I suggest that you check out the Klip-It by Sistema. It may be a tupperware, but it's made from virgin BPA-free plastic of excellent quality. It's cheap, airtight, and what we use in our tupperdor guide: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/diy/tupperdors/ Otherwise, if you want something fancier, consider an acrylic humidor. These are more presentable albeit more expensive alternatives that are made specifically for cigars. The Boveda acrylic humidor is probably the best one on the market but there are other options available, too. All the best, BU
Hey Andres, Unfortunately the specific wooden humidor in this video is not one we'd recommend, more than anything it was used for demonstration purposes. Learn a bit more here: ruclips.net/video/HI4HeZU13vY/видео.html Rafael
@@andresc5915 That's a great choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with it (as long as it fits all your cigars). Remember to season it before using it for long-term storage of cigars. Rafael
Yes, smart sensors are a very popular alternative! The best part is you don't even need to check them most of the time. Most will just send you alerts whenever the temperature or humidity goes below or above a predefined threshold. We've got a full guide of them here if you're interested: bespokeunit.com/cigars/hygrometers/smart/
Has anyone ever come across the wood in the humidor warping. You can see the blemish on it from the outside. This causes a leak and does not give you the proper humidity. I've had this happen to me three times with three different humidors. My humidity is only around 62-64%.
Hi Rick, I've not experienced this. But I would guess it's one of two things or both. 1 - the humidor is not of the highest quality, 2 - The humidity is actually much higher. Try a calibrated hygrometer as a starting point and go from there. Cheers - Paul
@@Bespokeunit Hi Paul thanks for your reply. This has happened to me with three humidors. I don't know if it is the change in the temperature in the bedroom which does not vary too much during the summer and winter or the wood itself having too much moisture. I paid $295.00 for the humidor. I did not put any cigars in it for the first two years and when my other one decided to do the same and leak out the humidity, then I put it to use. If you look at it from the outside you can see how the material is raised, like a blemish or bubble. They were all made in China, what isn't these days? I bought it at a legitimate cigar store. I have several Digital Hygrometers. I won't use anything else. I have found that the humidity levels are lower as this tells me that the humidity is leaking out from where the defect is. I will get a reading of 60% but the cigars feel like 70% and yet smoke fine. Once the humidity level begins to go lower then I know the leak as I call it is getting bigger then it is time to throw it out. I will no longer wet the inside of the humidor with a sponge and distilled water like many sites tell you to do. I believe this is shocking the wood and putting too much water vapour on it too soon. You need to gradually allow the wood to climatize to 65-70% gradually. The humidor that I have now is a gorgeous looking unit. Holds 200 H. Upmann Majestics. I am really disappointed with it. I will be keeping an eye on the humidity levels and once they get around 40% and cannot be raised then it is time to use it for nuts and bolts. It's a shame that such good wood can rot so fast. I have my doubts with this being made in China if it is real Spanish Cedar. My next one will not be bought in China. They put a little Gold sticker on the bottom. Rick
@@Cigar65 Dear Rick, sorry to hear about your woes. That is not an overly cheap price for a humidor, so very surprised to hear of these repeated issues. I gave up on wooden humidors a while ago, and just keep on for when guests come for presentation purposes. I keep all my cigars in airtight containers and large cigar fridges. Maybe that would be a less stressful option going forward. Cheers Paul
@@Bespokeunit Yes it is stressful. I like most, like to stock up and when one your humidors goes down, them you could well have a problem. If this was just a couple months past the date of buying it, I would gladly have taken it back to them to show. I have seen this humidor for sale in a big Cigar Store in Florida. So there's obviously something or a few things, I would guess two that are causing this. Once this one dies then it's decision time. Sounds like you've had your share or troubles with wooden humidors as well. I guess we cannot expect too much from a wooden box? Rick, Thanks for getting back to me.
Great video and information. I live in Thailand weather is very hot and humidity around 32C*80% and my wooden humidor is leak. My most cigar are bitter taste, how can I do? Thank you.
Hi there, Leaking humidors are the bane of a cigar collector's existence! If the leak is really bad, there's not much that can be done, I'm afraid. Bitter cigars are often caused by either smoking too fast, too hot or because they're stored in hot and humid conditions. It may then be due to the storage issue that you highlighted. Where is the humidor kept? Is it somewhere relatively cool and dry? If it's exposed to these high temperatures and humidity levels, it's unlikely to be able to retain a healthy seal. I would highly recommend investing in a cigar cooler to work at reducing their storage temperature. We just reviewed the NewAir CC-300H, which you can view here: ruclips.net/video/sXkRmd8eoaQ/видео.html There's also a 20% discount on offer if you use the code 20BESPOKE when you place an order through NewAir. Alternatively, check out our guide to cigar coolers to see what else is available: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers/ Finally, it's important to keep your cigar cooler somewhere away from the sun and that's still relatively cool. Hopefully, you'll have a good location to keep yours. Best, CP
Why hasn't someone made a humidor that has a cedar liner, acrylic outer casing that can be sealed with rubber on the lid side, and wood on the outside? you have function and form.
There are already acrylic humidors with cedar trays inside, such as the Felix from Case Elegance (caseelegance.com/pages/_go_?ref=20831:548439). It doesn't have a rubber seal but the seal of the lid is quite airtight. Rafael
@@Bespokeunit yeah I have seen those. Just the see through allowing UV light in I didn't like. Plus I think a classic wooden humidor looks better on a desk I just wish it was updated to have amazing seal as well to have both function of a tupador and form of a wooden humidor.
Loaded question and it depends on the circumstances! If you head to bespokeunit.com/cigars/best you'll see some of our favourites as well as separate guides for different occasions (special occasions, times of the day, and for different activities as well as pairing suggestions).
@@Bespokeunit A true air and vapor barrier between the actual box and the cedar lining for one. And possibly a rubber seal that the lid is closed onto.
How quickly are they drying out and what are the cigars storedin? This is commonly due to two reasons. Either your humidor doesn't have an airtight seal, which allows for moisture to escape, or you have a wooden humidor that hasn't been seasoned. Let us know more so we can help! Best, CP
@@Bespokeunit I have 4 humidors. 3 wooden and one air tight plastic unit. One of my wooden ones is much better as far as the seal. I seasoned all of them. My smallest humidor and plastic on do the best as far as keeping humidity but the packs dry out within 3 months in all of them. I plan on getting a newair cigar cooler to help regulate things. I also live in central alabama. So we go through dry spells and humid spells. I run a humidifier in the room where they are kept. The room stays 60-78 degrees. I hope that's enough info lol
@@heelirl6370 that's perfect, thanks for the comprehensive reply! Yes, Paul used to live in Alabama and he often uses it as an example of extreme swings in humidity for cigar storage. Wooden humidors are easily affected by dry exterior environments and it can cause your Boveda packs to dry out quite quickly. This is especially the case on more affordable humidors that have somewhat weaker seals. What readings do you get on you hygrometer? Is it quite consistent? How new are your humidors by the way? Sometimes they require seasoning on a yearly basis within the first four years of owning them. In your case, a cigar cooler might be a worthwhile investment. We've covered this in detail on our site, which you can read on: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers Best, CP
All but my smallest humidor are new within the last 3 years. One of the larger humidors gets readings from 70% down to 50 something. I've given up on that one until I can tinker with it a bit. I think it just has a bad seal. After explaining everything it's made me realize the the new air would definitely be an improvement and we'll worth the money. Thanks.
@@heelirl6370 Yeah, it sounds like weak seals that can't hide the humidity fluctuations in your area. Until you get a NewAir, maybe consider grabbing a tupperware and some Bovedas to keep your cigars safe? Best, CP
There's something special about caring for a humidor that you don't get from a tupperdor. However, yes, it's definitely possible to put cedar trays inside a tupperdor to imitate a humidor to some extent. Rafael
Your you talkin about all the great aspects I'm smoking cigars in humidor but you go back to your home and order wrong way you want something that is the laziest way to do it if you was really into the hobby you would have you would have Commodores
I use clear Tupperdore for my sticks with 69 packs. I also put Ceder inside to help. Works great for the sticks I have. Thanks for the video.
I am fairly new Boveda And so far I’m very impressed. This gentleman you’re speaking with I’ve seen him in several other videos and he’s convinced me to use them. In fact I’m re-seasoning both my wooden human orders with their 84% packs. I’ve been up and down about using acrylic or wood. I feel like wood is more authentic but not necessarily better for my cigars. I finally moved away from distilled water and sponge seasoning and have moved away from using a humidifier over to Boveda packs and now I’m using digital hygrometers instead of my analogues. So this old dog can learn new tricks. I see your point about long-term storage and not having the money to buy a bunch of wooden humidors. That being said I don’t have a bunch of money to buy cigars as regularly as I would like when the good sales come out. So basically my two humidors are holding what I have now but at some point in time I either want to get a big standup humidor or move into using sealed containers.I unfortunately threw away some good cigars because they were dry it out before checking how to revive them. Really regret that decision.
Hi Sokodad,
Absolutely, Boveda offers many benefits! A good compromise is to use cedar strips inside an acrylic humidor. It will provide the benefits of the wood without the drawbacks. It's worth seasoning them first but since the wood is very thin, keeping them in one 84% pack in a ziplock bag or wiping them down with a moist sponge will usually be enough.
You can also make a tupperdor (bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/diy/tupperdors/), which is a great cheap option if you budget won't allow for a variety of humidors if you wish to age cigars.
All the best,
CP
Found your channel through your Davidoff Tour video, and really love this channel! Keep up the amazing content! Cheers!
Thanks for the feedback and for subscribing!
Rafael
Dear Paul.... My name is Gerhard and I love watching your RUclips videos specifically when you were on Davidoff farm sorry for the loss I'm sure Claas will do a grate job and have been so impressed and inspired by your process of making cigars that 3 years ago I started planting my own seeds(we have spoken before a few years ago) well not as perfect and big in production as Davidoff ( sorry for the loss I'm sure Klaas will do a grate job) but I'm trying so with that being said I have a wonderful Snomaster electrical humidore that you can set to the precise humidity that you require and I love it and it looks beautiful on my counter where it sits at but just 2 things that I thought could change and you are the perfect person to talk to. The thing is in the inside it Has beechwood shelves and the wood is too, how can I say, it is too light in colour so I want to know if will my cigars be damaged or affected if I use some kind of a dark teek oil on the wood and also the led light in the unit is to bright to what other light can i change it into that will not have a negative effect on the cigars? Please if you can advice I would be grateful. Thanks
Hey there Gerhard,
Thanks for your comment! Regarding the shelves, you can purchase cedar ones on amazon (such as these amzn.to/2COXlF7) and replace the beechwood ones, try and see if this would be a good fit. I would try this before attempting to paint/stain the existing shelves in the humidor given that, as you mention, the oil could damage the cigars. With regards to the LED lights, these will not affect your cigars. Sunlight is what you should be concerned about, but artificial led lights are fine.
Rafael
Excellent topic gentlemen and well covered. I love my wood humidors. The aroma is so enjoyable.
Thanks for watching!
Just bought a 100 count wooden humidor, I conditioned it for 2 weeks using the Boveda 84's, I can't thank Rob enough on his suggestion. I just opened it and put a digital hygrometer in it and it reads 72rh. PERFECT! Oh, I did keep the 84's in it since they were not hard just yet. I added 4 72rh 60 gram packs and so far, so VERY good. Thanks again gents
I just bought a wooden humidor for 100 sticks myself. Can you please tell me how many of the Boveda 84% did you use? Thank you so much!
4 packs to condition it,...tgeybsell these separately then I maintain 72's every 3 months or so
that is a beautiful wooden humidor, it has a lot of character to it!
Unfortunately, it looks nice but it's not very good! We talk about it in this video here : ruclips.net/video/HI4HeZU13vY/видео.html
@@Bespokeunit I just watched that video. I was shocked when you put your fist through the bottom of that humidor! I hate that people prey on the uneducated and pass off such crap with a veneer. My humidor is very plain looking but at least it's solid and hold humidity perfectly!
Great video and very informative! I love boveda, it's all I use and trust
Thanks for your kinds words. Glad you found it informative, and like us love some Boveda! Cheers - Paul
@@Bespokeunit ⁰
Pretty informative guys thx.
Nice channel
Many thanks! Stay tuned for more cigar content the rest of the year and into 2022
Great points gents, I personally have an acrylic airtight jar for longer storage(laying down on its side rotated once a month) and a desktop wooden for quick smokes
Nice variety of solutions!
Great video thanks for the good advice IV just started using cigars
We have a ton more cigar videos, both reviews and instructional, that I think you'll find very helpful if you've just started in the world of cigars.
Rafael
@@Bespokeunit I will look forward to watching them. Thank you 👍
Ive switched from wooden to tupperware air tight brilliance containers for over a year now and honestly, I dont run through boveda packs because the wood is not sucking up the boveda packs and I still have the cedar notes and smells from a wooden humidor. Ill never go back to wooden humidors, and another plus theyre cheap and easily obtainable. $10 for one at walmart and I stack 4 high and 1 on the side in my 20ct wine cooler so my 151 sticks in my collection fits perfectly fine.
I've pretty much done the same now. I keep a small one seasoned for when I have guests around. But my day to day and large storage options are all in large airtight containers. Cheers - Paul
@@Bespokeunit My friends suggested putting a humidor inside of a larger airtight container. Best of both worlds!
You guys really know how to paint a great picture of the cigar smoking experience.
Thank you for the kind words. It really is one of life's great luxurys, taking time to sit back relax and enjoy a fine cigar.
Cheers Paul
I wish I could support my local B&M cigar shops, but their prices are outrageous. I refuse to pay 150% more per cigar when I can get them online much cheaper.
Hi Michael,
We do understand that and sometimes we will pull the trigger on our sticks online because of the very low prices and deals that can be found. However, when we can, we do try to support our locals.
Nevertheless, there are a small minority that do have high prices and perpetuate that reputation for everyone else...
Best,
CP
I'm in Canada and the prices here are pretty much the worst in the world. The Cubans range from $10 a stick to $100, with most being about an average of $50 per. I am just getting into cigars and have done a bunch of research on it and it would actually be cheaper for me to order from an online shop in the USA (and hope not to get hit with duty taxes) than it is buying from my local shop...even with the exchange rate and shipping.
My dream setup would be all wooden humidors, but I think ill end up keeping my Mantello 175 count glasstop for only my premiums and special occassion smokes and then a big acryllic one to display all my bundles and 5 dollar and under sticks. Ya know, to show the "inventory" haha
While Paul prefers reliable airtight containers, I agree with you. The wooden humidor, for me, is the quintessential cigar storage. However, it gets complicated once your cigar collection gets to a particular size. Ideally, I'd like to convert an antique cupboard or cabinet into a giant humidor by retrofitting it with a Spanish cedar or okoume lining. However, I have yet to find the right furniture for the job.
Best,
CP
@@Bespokeunit That sounds awesome. As much as I would love a huge cabinet, they are expensive and a lot of work to get set up. I'd rather have one or two small wooden ones for show and a coolerdor or wineador for quantity.
@@AlpineBishop that's currently the setup I have. Two desktop humidors (a wooden one and acrylic Boveda one) and two coolidors in the cellar. I'm fine with it and I know that my cigars are safe this way but I wouldn't mind something a little more elegant.
What's your view on using metal ammo boxes as a humidor? I have been using mine for about 3 months and it hold temp and humidity quite well and it's super cheap
Good question let's wait for answers.
Frank Frankerson Dang that’s badass
@@bendrankin2290 love the profile name he was one of my favorites 🐍
Part of the joy for me is the collection being a talking point, people comment on a nice attractive humidor and it's a feature of the room. Sure, I can see why tupperware is easier and less hassle, but I'd miss the warm glow of the light from my unit, and seeing what I have to smoke on the shelves.
You're not alone in that. Both Boveda's Rob and I are still drawn to wooden humidors for that very reason. If you check out of video library, you'll see that Paul even splashed out on a beautifully-crafted Davidoff one too!
Thanks for the info on boveda I thinking of getting rid of the black ice containers and messing with water I started out a few years ago with air tight container which worked great then I was given and wooden humidor which took a bit to age but am now using most of the time I dont have a lot of stock LOL and I only smoke maybe once a week or so but love your info keep it up
Thanks, Luke!
Where do you get a container like the one featured in the video.
If you're referring to acrylic humidors, you can check out our favorite ones here: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/acrylic/. If wooden, check out the top ones here: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/wooden/
Rafael
This video actually helped me answer my beard vs no beard dilemma. This guy is welcome to try and make his small head look bigger, but the beard is way too much. If it looks fake, silly, doesn’t suit you, etc… then don’t do it
I think Rob's beard looks good here, if that's who you're referring to.
Rafael
Heat is my worry. The only sollution is a coolidor I suppose. Which one should I get if I want something decent but inexpensive? It doesn't need to be large as I'm just starting out.
Hey there,
We're written a guide on cigar coolers which you can check out below. There are some relatively inexpensive options listed: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers/
Rafael
My humidor is fairly cold, occasionally reaching as low as 16 degrees celcius. This because I cool it by putting an ice pack on top of it, with a small towel in between, folded 2 times (4 layers of cloth), which I replace every 12 hours.
This keeps the temperature between 16 and 20 degrees at all times (sometimes reaching close to 21 degrees), but it varies during those 12 hours obviously.
Will this slow the aging process by alot or should it be fine in this temperature range? Humidity also varies but stays between 65 and 69 percent at all times.
Thanks.
Those temperature changes aren't ideal but they're also not too extreme, so I don't believe they'll have detrimental effect on the aging process. However, I've never aged cigars in this manner myself so if you can remember, I'd be interested in hearing how it went for you in a couple months! (or however long you plan to age cigars for)
Best,
Rafael
If you ad cider planks to your air tight container would that be the best of both worlds?
Cedar sheets or trays definitely improve the humidity retention within any tupperdor.
Rafael
Thanks guys. Question: is there a benefit to layering Boveda packs in a large humidor to ensure even transmission of humidity? I've been told that this could help prevent dry zones.
Hi Mark.
You can put Boveda packs in different areas of the humidor if you fancy. For instance, a 100-count humidor can have two at the bottom on two on the top shelf. However, they should still be able to evenly distribute moisture even when place together as long as your humidor is airtight. That said, a leaky humidor will certainly benefit from evenly spacing them out.
Best,
CP
Where do you buy one of those clear humidors?
There's a link in the description!
I use a airtight tupperware, but i also have an wood desktop Adorini humidor. I like the presentation and the cedarsmell it gives off. I like them both in diffrent way. Its like food. Exactly the same dish can be servedfrom s olastic box and on a fancy plate. Just the way the dish are served make it appear more tasty?
Agree with your points, can't hurt to have both, especially considering how pricey larger humidors can be. And yes, humidors are much like food, we eat (smoke) with our eyes!
Rafael
@@Bespokeunit i dont have a huge collection. I keep the ones i am not intrested in smoking or storing for a long time in the tupperdor and some cigars in the Adorini humidor. It is a 25 count, but good enough for me!
So how do I know what humidity percentage packets to purchase?
With wooden humidors, there's a bit of trial and error. I suggest that you start low and the closest to the desired RH that you want. If the humidity level is too low, you then go for the level above. If they dry out very quickly, you might need to add more packs or consider seasoning the humidor. Meanwhile, if you know your humidor quite well and think it might be quite air-tight or a bit leaky, you can anticipate the amount of additional RH necessary.
He said "My Cuban snatch got a bit larger"...LOL
An unfortunate slip of the tongue!
Can one store cigars in the box without opening with Boveda pk in airtight containers? Thanks
Sorry, Daryl. I don't quite understand the question. You want to use an airtight container inside a wooden humidor?
@@Bespokeunit Sorry in the video I only saw 1 small Bovida pack in the big container as was curious if it was enough. I'm in Colorado and can never keep my humidor correct and I have 5 72percent in my 100 cigar humidor us one of the massive 69 percent.
I can't get it above 67 percent. It's frustrating so I'm going sealed containers. Thanks
Thanks for the great insight. Any recommendations of acrylic vs stainless steel (or even glass) container? Looking to age some cubans for a year or so... If I can hold out that long! lol
Hi Darren,
Boveda makes an excellent acrylic humidor that you can learn about here: ruclips.net/video/FisoDWDygWQ/видео.html
I use the large Boveda acrylic humidor to prepare all the cigars that we review as it's very reliable!
Alternatively, you could consider mason jars if you prefer glass. Those made by Le Parfait (amzn.to/2WqbIbM) have an excellent seal. The only downside is that the cigar will stand on its foot or head, which could get damaged if mishandled.
Best,
CP
Can a wood humidor make your cigars taste like it too much. For instance my humidor is pine and i swear all my stogies taste a little like pine??? Any solutions?
Hi Jacob,
Is the interior pine? Spanish cedar (or okoumé on rarer occasions) are recommended as they are naturally insect repellant and may only impart a mild but positive flavour to the cigars, if anything at all.
All the best,
CP
What about lining a air tight container with cedar.....would that get you best of both worlds??
We often add cedar spills and shelving to our tupperdors, which does give you a good dose of wood. It's never the same but it's a nice compromise.
It's kind of like the electric vs combustion engine car argument, one might be better, yet the other has more soul and emotes more joy.
Completely agree with this parallel - there's something more soulful about a traditional wooden humidor.
Rafael
I have a few wood humidors along with a 48 qt. Igloo. I also use a lot of extra large zip lock bags. Bovada bags in all. Also put cider blocks in all.
cedar?
where can I buy the airtight plastic boxes? not tupperware... I want best quality materials... best seals.
Hi El Rico,
I suggest that you check out the Klip-It by Sistema. It may be a tupperware, but it's made from virgin BPA-free plastic of excellent quality.
It's cheap, airtight, and what we use in our tupperdor guide: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/diy/tupperdors/
Otherwise, if you want something fancier, consider an acrylic humidor. These are more presentable albeit more expensive alternatives that are made specifically for cigars. The Boveda acrylic humidor is probably the best one on the market but there are other options available, too.
All the best,
BU
Who makes the wooden humidor in this video?
Hey Andres,
Unfortunately the specific wooden humidor in this video is not one we'd recommend, more than anything it was used for demonstration purposes. Learn a bit more here: ruclips.net/video/HI4HeZU13vY/видео.html
Rafael
@@Bespokeunit, Thank you for getting back to me. I did some research and decided to look into getting an Elie Bleu 110 count.
@@andresc5915 That's a great choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with it (as long as it fits all your cigars). Remember to season it before using it for long-term storage of cigars.
Rafael
You forgot to mention that airtight humidors have to be opened so that fresh air circulates. Could be once a week or once every 2 weeks
Most wooden humidors are not 100% airtight which will allow a small bit of air to circulate.
Rafael
WiFi enabled hygrometer? Where have I been? I do monitor mine too much already lol.
Yes, smart sensors are a very popular alternative! The best part is you don't even need to check them most of the time. Most will just send you alerts whenever the temperature or humidity goes below or above a predefined threshold.
We've got a full guide of them here if you're interested: bespokeunit.com/cigars/hygrometers/smart/
Has anyone ever come across the wood in the humidor warping. You can see the blemish on it from the outside. This causes a leak and does not give you the proper humidity. I've had this happen to me three times with three different humidors. My humidity is only around 62-64%.
Hi Rick, I've not experienced this. But I would guess it's one of two things or both. 1 - the humidor is not of the highest quality, 2 - The humidity is actually much higher. Try a calibrated hygrometer as a starting point and go from there. Cheers - Paul
@@Bespokeunit Hi Paul thanks for your reply. This has happened to me with three humidors. I don't know if it is the change in the temperature in the bedroom which does not vary too much during the summer and winter or the wood itself having too much moisture. I paid $295.00 for the humidor. I did not put any cigars in it for the first two years and when my other one decided to do the same and leak out the humidity, then I put it to use. If you look at it from the outside you can see how the material is raised, like a blemish or bubble. They were all made in China, what isn't these days? I bought it at a legitimate cigar store. I have several Digital Hygrometers. I won't use anything else. I have found that the humidity levels are lower as this tells me that the humidity is leaking out from where the defect is. I will get a reading of 60% but the cigars feel like 70% and yet smoke fine. Once the humidity level begins to go lower then I know the leak as I call it is getting bigger then it is time to throw it out. I will no longer wet the inside of the humidor with a sponge and distilled water like many sites tell you to do. I believe this is shocking the wood and putting too much water vapour on it too soon. You need to gradually allow the wood to climatize to 65-70% gradually. The humidor that I have now is a gorgeous looking unit. Holds 200 H. Upmann Majestics. I am really disappointed with it. I will be keeping an eye on the humidity levels and once they get around 40% and cannot be raised then it is time to use it for nuts and bolts. It's a shame that such good wood can rot so fast. I have my doubts with this being made in China if it is real Spanish Cedar. My next one will not be bought in China. They put a little Gold sticker on the bottom. Rick
@@Cigar65 Dear Rick, sorry to hear about your woes. That is not an overly cheap price for a humidor, so very surprised to hear of these repeated issues. I gave up on wooden humidors a while ago, and just keep on for when guests come for presentation purposes. I keep all my cigars in airtight containers and large cigar fridges. Maybe that would be a less stressful option going forward. Cheers Paul
@@Bespokeunit Yes it is stressful. I like most, like to stock up and when one your humidors goes down, them you could well have a problem. If this was just a couple months past the date of buying it, I would gladly have taken it back to them to show. I have seen this humidor for sale in a big Cigar Store in Florida. So there's obviously something or a few things, I would guess two that are causing this. Once this one dies then it's decision time. Sounds like you've had your share or troubles with wooden humidors as well. I guess we cannot expect too much from a wooden box? Rick, Thanks for getting back to me.
Great video and information. I live in Thailand weather is very hot and humidity around 32C*80% and my wooden humidor is leak. My most cigar are bitter taste, how can I do? Thank you.
Hi there,
Leaking humidors are the bane of a cigar collector's existence! If the leak is really bad, there's not much that can be done, I'm afraid.
Bitter cigars are often caused by either smoking too fast, too hot or because they're stored in hot and humid conditions. It may then be due to the storage issue that you highlighted.
Where is the humidor kept? Is it somewhere relatively cool and dry? If it's exposed to these high temperatures and humidity levels, it's unlikely to be able to retain a healthy seal.
I would highly recommend investing in a cigar cooler to work at reducing their storage temperature.
We just reviewed the NewAir CC-300H, which you can view here: ruclips.net/video/sXkRmd8eoaQ/видео.html
There's also a 20% discount on offer if you use the code 20BESPOKE when you place an order through NewAir.
Alternatively, check out our guide to cigar coolers to see what else is available: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers/
Finally, it's important to keep your cigar cooler somewhere away from the sun and that's still relatively cool. Hopefully, you'll have a good location to keep yours.
Best,
CP
@@Bespokeunit Thank you very much. ♥️
You can line an acrylic humidor with Spanish cedar easily.
It's certainly possible but it won't make a perfect substitute for a wooden humidor.
Rafael
@@Bespokeunit Thank you for the reply. Im afraid your right but any cedar is better than none at all!!!
@@raymondyee3313 Can't argue with that!
Yeah can't support the cigar shops on Australia double the price to online 🤷♂️it's rather bullshit with the tobacco tax here
Insane isn’t it. At minimum Cigars are twice the price here in Aus.
make the plastic one the same size as wooden that i actually have and ill be interested..
There is actually a larger acrylic model, which you can learn more about here: ruclips.net/video/ewzOcuXeUpo/видео.html
Why hasn't someone made a humidor that has a cedar liner, acrylic outer casing that can be sealed with rubber on the lid side, and wood on the outside? you have function and form.
There are already acrylic humidors with cedar trays inside, such as the Felix from Case Elegance (caseelegance.com/pages/_go_?ref=20831:548439). It doesn't have a rubber seal but the seal of the lid is quite airtight.
Rafael
@@Bespokeunit yeah I have seen those. Just the see through allowing UV light in I didn't like. Plus I think a classic wooden humidor looks better on a desk I just wish it was updated to have amazing seal as well to have both function of a tupador and form of a wooden humidor.
To bad Boveda doesn’t keep the humidity like it states!
In a properly sealed humidor, Boveda is one of the most precise methods for maintaining humidity.
Rafael
Glorified commercial for Boveda.
Wood humidor’s are better looking than acrylic I think!
I tend to agree!
What are your go to cigars, respectively?
Loaded question and it depends on the circumstances! If you head to bespokeunit.com/cigars/best you'll see some of our favourites as well as separate guides for different occasions (special occasions, times of the day, and for different activities as well as pairing suggestions).
i put 69 boveda in my jaridor but it keeps going over 72 what am i doing wrong
Hi Mohd,
Can you tell us a little bit more about your setup?
Thanks,
CP
Probably need to calibrate your hygrometer
@@brianstuart4203 Most likely but it might help to go through a process of elimination first just in case.
Yeah, what if your wooden humidor WAS an airtight container? Thinking different for humidor construction.
How do you mean? The assumption is that a good humidor will be mostly airtight so that the desired internal environment (Rh) is maintained
@@Bespokeunit A true air and vapor barrier between the actual box and the cedar lining for one. And possibly a rubber seal that the lid is closed onto.
My boveta packs dry out quick
How quickly are they drying out and what are the cigars storedin? This is commonly due to two reasons. Either your humidor doesn't have an airtight seal, which allows for moisture to escape, or you have a wooden humidor that hasn't been seasoned.
Let us know more so we can help!
Best,
CP
@@Bespokeunit I have 4 humidors. 3 wooden and one air tight plastic unit. One of my wooden ones is much better as far as the seal. I seasoned all of them. My smallest humidor and plastic on do the best as far as keeping humidity but the packs dry out within 3 months in all of them. I plan on getting a newair cigar cooler to help regulate things. I also live in central alabama. So we go through dry spells and humid spells. I run a humidifier in the room where they are kept. The room stays 60-78 degrees. I hope that's enough info lol
@@heelirl6370 that's perfect, thanks for the comprehensive reply! Yes, Paul used to live in Alabama and he often uses it as an example of extreme swings in humidity for cigar storage. Wooden humidors are easily affected by dry exterior environments and it can cause your Boveda packs to dry out quite quickly. This is especially the case on more affordable humidors that have somewhat weaker seals. What readings do you get on you hygrometer? Is it quite consistent? How new are your humidors by the way? Sometimes they require seasoning on a yearly basis within the first four years of owning them. In your case, a cigar cooler might be a worthwhile investment. We've covered this in detail on our site, which you can read on: bespokeunit.com/cigars/humidors/coolers
Best,
CP
All but my smallest humidor are new within the last 3 years. One of the larger humidors gets readings from 70% down to 50 something. I've given up on that one until I can tinker with it a bit. I think it just has a bad seal. After explaining everything it's made me realize the the new air would definitely be an improvement and we'll worth the money. Thanks.
@@heelirl6370 Yeah, it sounds like weak seals that can't hide the humidity fluctuations in your area. Until you get a NewAir, maybe consider grabbing a tupperware and some Bovedas to keep your cigars safe?
Best,
CP
Why not just put cedar sheets or sawdust into an airtight container? That would be the best of both worlds, wouldnt it?
There's something special about caring for a humidor that you don't get from a tupperdor. However, yes, it's definitely possible to put cedar trays inside a tupperdor to imitate a humidor to some extent.
Rafael
Boveda packs only last 3 months at most in a wood humidor, so of course the Boveda rep will encourage you to still use the wood humidor lol
Me: *Puts cedar tray in Tupperdor 😈
This is actually a great middlepoint between a standard tupperdor and your first humidor!
If you have more than 1000 “sticks” you buy a professional humidor with humidity control...
We've actually been reviewing some of the cabinets from Prestige Imports on this channel, which are great options in that regard!
Your you talkin about all the great aspects I'm smoking cigars in humidor but you go back to your home and order wrong way you want something that is the laziest way to do it if you was really into the hobby you would have you would have Commodores