How to Revive Dried-Out Cigars and Make Them Fresh and Aromatic

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What should you do with old cigars—or better yet, how can you keep cigars fresh? These are common questions, especially for beginners. If left unprotected, cigars can quickly lose much of their value. Flavors and aromas can fade, leaving only a fraction of the original enjoyment. Fortunately, there are humidifiers for dry cigars, optimal storage solutions, and various tips to ensure you don’t have to smoke a dry cigar.

How long can I store cigars without a humidor?

Cigars are definitely stored better in a humidor than anywhere else. After all, when used properly, a humidor maintains an ideal humidity of about 69% to 72%, while in most homes, the humidity ranges between 40% and 60%. A cheap and simple alternative to a humidor, especially for individual cigars, are so-called cigar tubos, which can be sealed airtight.

You should assume that an unprotected cigar will begin to dry out within a few days and lose flavor. Even cellophane packaging only prevents the cigar from drying out as long as the foil is completely airtight and prevents any air exchange with the environment.

How do I know if a cigar is too dry?

Experienced aficionados can immediately identify dry cigars. A seemingly wrinkled or crinkled wrapper with thick veins is a clear sign of insufficient humidity.

If in doubt:

Take the cigar and gently press the ends together with your fingers.
It should give slightly, and the cigar should elastically return to its original shape.
If you notice some hardness, hear a slight crackling of the tobacco, or if the wrapper tears, then the cigar is too dry.

But don’t worry, there are ways to save dried-out cigars.

How can a dried-out cigar be saved?

The humidor, mentioned earlier, offers a way to rehydrate dry cigars. However, if you don’t have a humidor, you can moisten cigars using simple household items:

Place the dried cigars with a damp sponge in a sealable container, plastic bag, or something similar to prevent air exchange with the environment.
Put the container, bag, etc., in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator for one to two days.
Afterward, leave everything at room temperature (around 20°C) for about one week, or place the cigars directly into a humidor with 82% to 86% humidity.
Check the condition of the cigar—its elasticity will indicate the moisture content.

During this process, it’s important to keep the packaging airtight at first. Otherwise, the cigars can absorb undesirable aromas from other food in the refrigerator.

Tips for prevention: How can you prevent cigars from drying out?

Stored in a humidor, cigars won't dry out.

In general, the best care is prevention. If you store your cigars directly in a well-prepared humidor, they will retain their flavor for months, if not years. Cigars that are individually wrapped in cellophane are even better for humidor storage. Additionally, a wine cellar can also provide a good environment for storing cigars correctly and preventing them from drying out.

To prevent cigars from drying out, it’s important to ensure a relatively humid environment, maintain a constant temperature (which affects humidity), and minimize air exchange. These factors will help you avoid dry cigars as much as possible.

FAQs

How long can a cigar be stored?

If a cigar is stored properly, for example in a humidor, or rehydrated correctly, it can be smoked right away. A freshly unwrapped cigar should be smoked as soon as possible, ideally within a few days.

Can you put out a cigar and smoke it later?

You can take a break while smoking a cigar, let it go out, and resume smoking after a few minutes. However, the break should not last longer than 10 minutes, as harmful substances will accumulate in the tobacco, and the taste will be affected.

Can I smoke a cigar the next day?

No, after 15 minutes at most, once a cigar has gone out or been extinguished, it should be considered unusable and should not be smoked again. After such a long time, the cigar will no longer provide a good taste.

How long will a cigar last in a tubos?

Airtight storage prevents cigars from drying out. This can be achieved with cellophane packaging or cigar tubos. Tubos come in various materials, and a cigar stored in an aluminum tubos can remain fully enjoyable even after several years.