| Cuban cigars originate from the Caribbean, which has | | | | take immediate action. Please call Tomtom for further |
| a tropical climate very different to Europe. As a | | | | advice. Never store cigars near direct sunlight or for |
| natural product, your Havana cigars need to be kept | | | | long periods exposed to sea breezes (salt will not |
| carefully. They are used to being in a warm climate | | | | enhance your smoke). The lower the temperature, |
| with a relatively high humidity. | | | | the higher the humidity required to compensate. |
| Therefore they will need to be protected from | | | | Desk-Top Humidors |
| extremes of temperature and humidity (particularly | | | | There is a very wide selection of these humidors on |
| low humidity). This is particularly difficult to achieve in | | | | the market. The basic design requirements are that |
| air conditioned and centrally heated buildings, where | | | | they are sealable (and generally lockable!), but allow |
| the air tends to get de-humidified and cigars can dry | | | | the cigars to breathe. This is normally achieved by |
| out very quickly. Some cigars come in aluminum tubes | | | | leaving the base of the box unvarnished: and no |
| which can help preserve them in dry climates, | | | | portion of the inner cedar box should be laminated. |
| however they tend to mature at a much slower rate | | | | The box contains a fitting, which provides the |
| than 'naked' boxed cigars. | | | | humidity: this is normally a pad containing a sponge or |
| Maintain a temperature of 16 C to 20 C and a | | | | chalk, which can be dampened. The box may also |
| relative humidity of 65% – 70%. | | | | contain a dial showing humidity and temperature. |
| In the UK you will need a humidor to maintain the | | | | As a rule of thumb, the smaller the box, the harder it |
| humidity of your cigars at various times of the year: | | | | is to maintain a steady level of humidity within its |
| Humidity | | | | confines. These humidors do not regulate |
| At the least, keep your cigars in a tight fitting | | | | temperature. The price range starts from about 125 |
| cupboard, drawer or box, away from radiators and | | | | for a plexi glass humidor, which will hold approximately |
| other sources of heat. Pick the coolest indoor spot in | | | | 50 cigars to 2000 and above. A comprehensive |
| your house. Leave the cigars in their original boxes as | | | | selection is shown on our accessory page. Fabulous |
| this will help preserve them, stop them from being | | | | humidors can also be created out of antique boxes |
| damaged, and prevent any cross-tainting of flavours | | | | which many families have inherited as writing slopes |
| between different varieties of cigars stored in the | | | | or medal cases and which have since become |
| same area. If the humidity in your make-shift humidor | | | | redundant. This is a very cost-effective way of |
| is low, a damp sponge in a cup will serve as a basic | | | | storing your cigars in a unique and personal humidor. |
| provider of humidity. | | | | Travel Humidors |
| When you purchase your cigars from Tomtom, they | | | | Ranging in price from 100 upwards. These are not |
| will be packed in an airtight zip-loc bag, which will | | | | suitable for long-term storage of cigars, however |
| maintain the humidity of your cigars while you | | | | they are essential if you are moving about: the |
| transport them from the shop to your humidor. | | | | wrapper leaf on a handmade cigar is very thin and |
| These bags are a very efficient short term humidor, | | | | delicate and will easily damage. The safest way to |
| however we would not recommend that you leave | | | | prevent this is to keep the cigars in their original box, |
| your cigars sealed in these bags for more than one | | | | in tubes or in a purpose-built travel humidor. |
| month. Although humidity will be maintained, cigars | | | | Cigar Cases |
| also need to be exposed to some fresh air to allow | | | | Generally these do not offer humidification systems |
| them to 'breathe' and age correctly. | | | | built in, but will protect your cigars if you take them |
| A variety of desk-top and travel humidors can be | | | | in your pocket for the day. There are some metal |
| purchased (see 'Accessories') and are an essential | | | | tubes with hermetically sealed screw tops that will |
| item for the dedicated cigar smoker (more | | | | act in the same way as a cigar tube and seal in |
| information below). | | | | moisture. The majority are made from leather and |
| Temperature | | | | offer protection from damage as well as limited |
| The danger of excessive temperature (combined | | | | protection from fluctuations in humidity and |
| with too much humidity) is that the cigars can either | | | | temperature. |
| go moldy or be damaged by weavil attack. If cigars | | | | Reviving Dried-Out Cigars |
| go moldy, this is generally not a problem, as long as it | | | | This is not an exact science and not always |
| is spotted reasonably soon and the mould (or bloom) | | | | successful. Dry cigars need to be rehumidified very |
| only appears on the wrapper leaf. The mould can be | | | | slowly and with care. We suggest you speak to us |
| removed with a soft brush (e.g. a badger shaving | | | | Footnote |
| brush) and then the cigar can be returned to store in | | | | We do NOT recommend that cigars are kept in a |
| the correct conditions. If mould gets into the end of | | | | refrigerator for storage. It is likely that the cigars will |
| the cigar, we recommend that you do not smoke it. | | | | be dried out by this process and irretrievably |
| Weavil, or tobacco beetle, is a more serious problem. | | | | damaged. |
| If you see any small holes in your cigar, you should | | | | |