For cigar collectors, the way you store and display your cigars is just as important as the cigars themselves. Proper storage ensures that your cigars stay fresh and maintain their flavour, while thoughtful organisation and presentation can elevate your collection to a whole new level. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning your cigar journey, knowing how to store and display your cigars is essential for both preservation and style.
Let’s explore the best practices for cigar storage, offering tips on how to organise and display your cigars to keep them in prime condition and add a touch of sophistication to your collection.
Understanding Proper Cigar Storage
Before diving into how to organise and display your cigars, it’s crucial to understand what makes for proper storage. Cigars require a stable environment to maintain their moisture content and prevent them from drying out or becoming too humid. The ideal storage conditions are:
Humidity: Around 65-72% humidity is optimal for storing cigars. This helps prevent them from losing their flavour and aroma.
Temperature: A temperature of 18-21°C (65-70°F) is ideal. Too hot or too cold, and your cigars may suffer.
Airflow: Proper airflow helps prevent mould and keeps cigars from becoming too damp.
This is where the importance of a good humidor comes in. Whether you choose a traditional wooden humidor or a modern electronic model, keeping your cigars in a controlled environment is key. Visit this online humidor shop to get your hands on a quality design.
Choosing the Right Humidor for Your Collection
The first step to organising your cigars is selecting the right humidor. The type of humidor you choose will depend on the size of your collection, your storage needs, and your aesthetic preferences.
Wooden Humidors: These are the classic choice for cigar storage and come in various sizes and designs. Spanish cedar is often used for its ability to regulate humidity naturally. They’re perfect for those with smaller to medium-sized collections who appreciate the aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship.
Electronic Humidors: For the modern collector with a large collection, electronic humidors provide precise temperature and humidity control. They are especially useful if you want to ensure that your cigars are kept in optimal conditions with minimal maintenance. Some models come with digital hygrometers, and temperature settings, offering ultimate control.
Travel Humidors: If you’re a collector who enjoys cigars on the go, investing in a small, portable travel humidor is a great idea. These compact models allow you to carry a few cigars while keeping them fresh, wherever you are.
How to Organise Your Cigar Collection
Once you’ve selected the right humidor, it’s time to think about how to organise your cigars. Organisation not only helps you keep track of your cigars but also ensures that they are properly aged and stored according to your preferences. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Group by Type: One of the simplest ways to organise your cigars is by grouping them based on their type. For instance, you could separate them by size, strength, or flavour profile. This makes it easier to choose the right cigar for any occasion and ensures that cigars of similar types are stored together.
Consider Aging Needs: Some cigars are meant to be aged for longer periods to develop deeper flavours. If you have cigars that you plan to age, consider separating them in your humidor to ensure that they are kept in the right environment for optimal ageing.
Use Dividers: Many humidors come with dividers that allow you to create separate compartments within the box. These dividers can help you keep different types of cigars separate and organised. If your humidor doesn’t have dividers, you can purchase custom ones to suit your collection.
Label Your Cigars: Especially if you’re ageing cigars, it’s helpful to label the boxes or individual cigars with their purchase date or the date they were placed in the humidor. This way, you can keep track of how long they’ve been ageing and when they’re ready to be enjoyed.
Displaying Your Cigar Collection
For the modern cigar collector, storage doesn’t just stop at keeping cigars fresh – it’s also about creating a stunning display. A well-organised, visually pleasing cigar display can transform your collection into a statement piece. Here are some ideas for displaying your cigars:
Glass-Top Humidors: If you want to show off your collection while keeping your cigars fresh, a glass-top humidor is a fantastic option. The transparent top allows you to admire your cigars without opening the box, and the humidification system ensures they stay in perfect condition.
Cigar Cabinets: For a more luxurious and larger display, consider a cigar cabinet. These cabinets are often made from fine wood and have a glass front, allowing you to showcase your cigars in style. They also tend to have multiple compartments for organisation and come with built-in humidifiers.
Cigar Towers: If you’re looking for something more modern and functional, a cigar tower could be a great fit. These vertical storage units often feature multiple drawers or shelves, each with built-in humidity control, making them perfect for the collector with a large variety of cigars.
Cigar Boxes as Décor: If you have extra boxes of cigars, consider using them as decorative pieces. Vintage cigar boxes can add an old-world charm to your home bar or lounge, while still keeping your cigars neatly organised.
Humidor Room or Walk-In Humidor: For the ultimate display, some collectors opt for a dedicated humidor room or a walk-in humidor. This is ideal for those with a large, valuable collection who want to create a space dedicated entirely to their cigars, with the perfect storage conditions.
How to Find the Right Size of Cigar Humidor
Are you trying to narrow down your choices and get the perfect cigar humidor? Well, you need to think about getting the right size. Yes, the material and type are important. But, if you don’t have the right size, you’re back to square one. Here are some tips on how you can select the right size for your needs.
Evaluate Your Current Collection
First of all, you need to think about the cigar collection you already have. There are some people that only have a few, while others have a more extensive number. This is going to guide you to the general size you need, whether it’s a small desk humidor or something more substantial like a cabinet. Don’t forget to think about the size of the cigars themselves, as this can impact how much space they require.
Anticipate Future Growth
It’s important to think about how your cigar collection is going to grow in the future. Are you likely to stick with the cigars you have and focus on aging them? Are you likely to buy a lot more in the future because you enjoy smoking regularly? It helps to think about growth and how much you’re likely to add to this collection. Then, you can make sure you buy a humidor that’s going to have the right amount of space to accommodate this.
Know Your Budget
Sometimes, it can come down to finances. Of course, there are so many different humidors out there and they all come in at different price points. You need to have a budget in mind so that you’re not overspending. This can limit what size you might be able to get. Generally, the larger the design, the more expensive it’s going to be. Don’t forget to consider where the humidor is going to go and if you have enough space.
Conclusion
Cigar storage and display are key components of a modern collector’s lifestyle. By choosing the right humidor, organising your cigars thoughtfully, and displaying them in a way that reflects your style, you can ensure that your collection stays fresh, properly aged, and always ready to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for practicality or elegance, there’s a storage solution for every cigar enthusiast. With a little care and attention, your cigars will be preserved and beautifully displayed for years to come.
