Guide No. 03
How to store cigars at home
From the counter at Everett Cigar & Tobacco · Last updated July 2026
A cigar is a living thing: cured leaf holding oils and moisture in balance. Keep it near 70% humidity and 70°F and it improves for years. Leave it in a desk drawer and it is kindling in a week. Storage is the cheapest upgrade in the entire hobby.
What dry air actually does
In days, the wrapper turns brittle and the oils that carry flavor evaporate. A dry cigar burns hot and fast, tastes of ash instead of tobacco, and cracks when you cut it. Overhumidified cigars have the opposite problem: tight draws, canoeing burns, and, above 75%, mold. The window is generous; being outside it is what kills.
The $10 setup that genuinely works
- A zip-seal freezer bag or any airtight food container.
- One two-way humidity pack (Boveda 69% is the standard; we stock them).
- Dark cupboard, stable room temperature. Done.
That is real storage, not a compromise. A five-count travel bag with a fresh pack holds cigars perfectly for months. Replace the pack when it goes rigid.
When a humidor makes sense
Past fifteen or twenty cigars, a desktop humidor earns its place: Spanish cedar interior, a decent seal, and a digital hygrometer (the analog dials lie). Season a new humidor before trusting it: wipe the cedar with distilled water, sit a humidity pack inside for two weeks, and only then move cigars in. Skipping seasoning is the classic first-humidor mistake; the dry cedar drinks the humidity your cigars needed.
Rules that never change
- Never the refrigerator. Never a sunny windowsill. Never the car.
- Two-way packs beat sponges, gels, and tap water in every way.
- Buy a digital hygrometer; calibrate it once with a salt test.
- Rotate the boxes occasionally and let new arrivals rest a week before judging them.
Quick answers
What humidity should cigars be stored at?
Between 65% and 72% relative humidity, at around 70°F. The old "70/70 rule" (70% RH at 70°F) is a fine target; many smokers prefer 65% for a slightly crisper burn.
How long do cigars last without a humidor?
In dry Pacific Northwest indoor air, a cigar starts degrading within 2 to 3 days and is noticeably harsh within a week. A sealed bag with a humidity pack, costing a few dollars, prevents all of it.
Do cigars need to be refrigerated?
No. Never refrigerate cigars; fridges are far too dry and the temperature swings damage the oils. Store them at stable room temperature away from sunlight.
Can dried-out cigars be saved?
Often, yes, if the wrapper has not cracked. Bring them back slowly over 2 to 4 weeks in stages of increasing humidity. Bring them by the shop and we will tell you honestly whether they are worth saving.
Reading only gets you so far
Come in, tell us the occasion, and walk out with the right cigar.