Casual cigar owners often ask themselves: is a humidor really necessary? The answer is: only if you care about the quality and taste of your cigars.

After all, for some smokers, the after-dinner cigar is more symbolic than anything – a conspicuous display, perhaps, of taste and leisure, or a social or familial ritual. If, however, you smoke for taste – which is the best reason to smoke – you should probably invest in a humidor: a specially-constructed box designed to maintain your cigars in near-70% humidity and at a proper temperature when they’re not being smoked.

To understand why humidors are so important, remember what a cigar essentially is. It’s a set of rolled-up tobacco leaves that have been cut, dried, cured, and fermented, then maintained at a very slight but essential level of moisture. If the cigar dries out completely – as can happen in open air, at the wrong temperature, or in low humidity – it loses its taste. If it’s kept in an airtight environment, on the other hand, the necessary low level of moisture will, over time, cause mold. A cigar requires a very special set of conditions in order to maintain optimum taste.

The humidity in which cigars are stored is important because of the specific conditions in which most tobacco is grown. The natural climate for most such areas is in the neighborhood of 70% relative humidity; the tobacco plant has evolved for such a climate. Thus, humidity control is the sine qua non of a humidor – without that, it’s not a humidor but a box with cigars in it. Humidors are able to maintain a relatively consistent humidity level partly because of the relatively porous wood used to line them (Spanish cedar and Honduran mahogany are popular choices for this reason).

Most humidors also, of course, have some sort of device that maintains moisture levels; some use hygrometers, which indicate interior humidity. (Digital hygrometers tend to be more accurate, though they lack the old-fashioned appeal of dial hygrometers.)

When packing your humidor, make sure you leave some room between the cigars to allow air to circulate between them. (Again, you want to avoid an airtight fit, which would promote mold. On the other hand, too much empty space will allow that all-important humidity level to drop. Check on your cigars frequently, at least once a week, to ensure that nothing needs to be adjusted). The cigars should, at best, exude a small amount of oil when stored; this is a sign that the humidor is working. Slight amounts of water can be added if cigars start to dry out.

If your cigars suffer an attack of tobacco beetles – a species of beetle that preys on tobacco and can sometimes bore through a humidor – you’ve probably been keeping the temperature in the box a touch too high (tobacco beetles flourish at temperatures over 75 degrees.) Remove the affected cigars and put them in your freezer for 48 hours, then move them to your refrigerator for another day, following which they should be safely returnable to the humidor.

Spanish-cedar humidors are a popular choice. This wood, as mentioned above, holds moisture well, maintaining humidity, and it holds an aroma many consumers find pleasant and complementary to that of the cigars themselves. It’s also slightly favored for keeping tobacco beetles out, and it doesn’t warp in high humidity.

When you buy your humidor, “season” it by applying a moist cloth to the interior wood and then leaving a small, closed container of water inside the humidor for 12 hours. If the humidor “drinks up” most of the water, leaving the container near-empty after 12 hours, repeat the process for another 24 hours. Once the water stops evaporating, the humidor is ready for your cigars!

About the Author:
CigarFox provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1000 different brands! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The ABCs Of Cigar Humidors

Whats that? You haven’t smoked anything in a while? Well then, how about reviewing your favorite beer, wine or liquor. Maybe you have a favorite lighter or the latest Cutter or Humidor that you’d like to review, well, those are fine as well!

Entering is easy. To submit your review, all you have to do is email it to reviews@cigarhaus.com along with any photos and a short bio you want included with the review. Reviews MUST be at least 200 words long (and no worries, they can be much longer!) and reviews with a photo of the cigar in question (even if its a stock photo) are more likely to be published. If you’re an affiliate for any of the online cigar stores, or you own your own store, feel free to include your affiliate link when linking to the product (why should we be the only ones to benefit from your work?).

All the email addresses used to submit reviews will be put in a list and a random generator will pick the winner of the sampler. If you submit multiple reviews in a month, you’ll be entered multiple times for that drawing and the count starts over at the beginning of the month. Its a win/win!

So what are you waiting for? Light up your favorite stick, sit down and the keyboard and tell us what you think about it today!

FREE Romeo y Julieta 20-Count Humidor with box purchase ($30 Value!)
Romeo y Julieta Viejo ‘B’ is the greatest, most celebrated blend of Romeo y Julieta ever! Since its Cuban birth in 1875, Romeo y Julieta has been one of the world’s most popular cigar brands. The new and rare Viejo blend is incredible. The perfectly aged tobaccos create a smooth, mellow flavor and mouthwatering creamy smoke. With an Old World Cuban-style triple cap, each Viejo cigar is meticulously box pressed to perfection by the most skilled rollers. Boxes of 20.

The boxes Range from $104 (for the sampler) to $140 for a box of Belicoso. Honestly, you can’t beat those prices, and the Humidor itself is worth at least $25.

The stick I picked up today was the 305 (apparently named after an area code for Miami). The cost was about $7 per stick, which isn’t bad for a “designer” cigar as some can run much higher. The 305 is a Robusto with a Semilla 101 Wrapper grown exclusively for this project. It provided a surprisingly nice smoke that while it’s labeled as a Medium Bodied cigar, could easily pass for a full bodied smoke.

The initial draw had an initial spice to it that calmed down a touch to reveal some rich flavors that did not leave me feeling like I had been smoking the inside of an old shoe. I actually enjoyed this smoke so much that I continued to smoke it past the band (which came off easily with the heat) as I enjoyed the flavor and the aroma of the cigar itself.

The burn was nice and even as well and the ash hung on as well, I tried to let it go as long as I could, but after an inch or so, I cleaned it up a bit. All in all, if you’re looking for a good designer cigar that won’t break the bank to add to your collection, the Room101 sticks would be ideal. I went ahead and picked up another for myself just so I could make sure the first one wasn’t a fluke

Brand:Camacho
Line:Room101 305
Vitola:Robusto
Origin:Honduras/Dominican Republic
Wrapper:Semilla 101 (Honduras)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras/Dominican Republic
Flavor: Medium, chocolate/earthy undertones
Strength: Medium
Price: $7 – $10 a stick, around $180 a box
OverAll:***** (5/5)

Ed Note: Leave a comment for a chance to win a Cigar Spike!

Padron

Padron cigars are globally noted for its fabulous flavor along with the essence of Cuban heritage. Padron still sticks with handmade cigar making process. It firmly denies the potential stake of technology used into cigar making. Probably, Padron is the only example in the cigar world which doesn’t hesitate in expressing such unusual confidence and faith upon its clients. So, the premier online cigarshop like CigarsDirect.com has included it into its wide ranges of cigar.

Now, let’s have the glimpse upon company profile. Padron is a family owned business, led by José O. Padrón and Jorge Padrón. The family takes care of everything right from the tobacco culmination to sorting, processing, manufacturing and distribution. The cigar is made up of extra long-aged Nicaraguan-grown tobaccos from Cuban seed. There is an interesting incident with this cigar. Cigar Aficionado is a highly reputed cigar magazine. It has continuously rated Cigars more than twelve years but never named as the best cigar of the year.

Thus, the complete management in own hand helps the company in determining quite lower price and quality product in spite of hard work in its making. Though all companies are raising price of their product but Padron believes in customer satisfaction and customer always remains on the top of its priority list.

Today, there are a many duplicate Padron manufacturers in the market. So, there are few points which must be taken care of whenever you are making the purchase:

• There are two special series of Padron cigars which have double band. Their names are Padrón Cigars 1926 Series and 1964 Anniversary Series.

• Another prominent identity is Padrón logo which is nicely visible on their uppermost ring.

• Unique serial number is also a credible identity mark.

• One must know that Padron cigars are always sold in wooden boxes. Hence, cigars in cellophane wrapped bundles are fake Padron cigar.

At last, let’s not miss to mention Padron’s signature line, the 1926 Anniversario. It comes under a very special category of cigar. Leading online shop viz. CigarsDirect.com may offer special pack of Padron 1926 40th Anniversary on discounted price as well. So get the best deal there.

About the Author:

Premium Cigars at discount prices. Take advantage of our overstocked Cigars and Save when you buy Cigars Online. Our Premium Cigar selection is unmatched and our service will make you a customer for life.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Padron Deserves Father Like Stature in Cigar World

I Vote!

They’re first foray in to the Shirt Market is one that makes a simple statement. “I smoke Cigars and I Vote”. Its an easy way to let people know that you enjoy one of life’s greater pleasures and that you don’t like the way things are going with legislation in this country.

So do your part, pick up a Shirt, let your congressmen and women know that you enjoy cigars and you help control their jobs….

The Gurkha Park Avenues come in either Churchill (7×50) or Torpedo (6.25×52) and are medium bodied smokes.

If you’re able to grab some of these, let us know what you think about them.

Plus, you can get 10% off if you sign up for their email blasts. How cool is that?

Check out the 10 most wanted sampler today or make your own @ Thompson Cigar.

The MX2 has a consistent burn on it and the draw, as mentioned by others, was a little tight, but it was a good draw and the cigar itself was a pleasure to hold. The aroma of the burning stick was pleasant as well and not over powering.

The MX2 is made up of a second wrapper, used as a binder, which is spicy Brazilian Maduro. The fillers are a sweet and picante mixture of exquisite tobaccos from Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Peru. It was interesting to note that as the cigar burned, the flavor picked up a little more spice to it. After about the 2/3 of the cigar it did get a little strong for me and I found myself slowing down a bit. Not a bad thing as it gave me more reason to take longer.

Over all I was more then pleased with the C.A.O MX2 Robusto and I’d definitely smoke it again and might consider picking up a larger quantity next time.

Brand: CAO Cigars
Line: MX2
Vitola: Robusto 5×52
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Brazilian Maduro
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Peru
Flavor: Medium-Full
Strength: Medium
Price: $103.95
OverAll:****~ (4/5)

Have you tried the MX2? What are your thoughts on this fine smoke?

Nicaraguan Blend Sampler

Over 50% OFF The Best Nicaraguan Blends! Buying this sampler in a store would cost you over $61, plus tax, plus the gas used to get there, plus the time spent…….

Our Price: Just $29.99!!

Nicaraguan cigars are known throughout the world as being the closest in flavor to Cuban cigars. This sampler features four of the greatest premium cigars from the rich soils of Nicaragua. These ultra-rare Rocky Patel, Gurkha, Padilla and the mysterious Man O’ War cigars are nearly impossible to find in one place!
Nicaraguan Blends Sampler includes:

• (2) Gurkha Park Ave Churchill (7″ x 48)
• (2) Man O’ War Toro (6.5″ x 52)
• (2) Padilla Habano Toro (6″ x 50)
• (2) Rocky Patel Fusion Churchill (7″ x 48)

These Are some awesome CIGARS and you can get them for $29.99 for a limited time from TinderBox.com