Cigar Blog

Happiness is a good cigar

Homemade Humidors

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Cigars have to be stored properly for them to retain their flavor.  The traditional storage boxes of cigars are called humidors.  A quality humidor is not exactly cheap so those who think they are up to the task may consider making their own homemade humidor.

The easiest homemade humidor is made up of an airtight plastic container. Take note that the emphasis here is the word airtight.  Anything less is unacceptable.  The ideal size is one that will comfortably fit at least two wooden boxes of cigars with space to spare.  A digital thermometer must be attached inside the container through the use of Velcro and it must be positioned in such a way that it can be seen from outside the container even when it is closed.  It is necessary to consistently check that the right temperature is maintained inside.  A slightly damp sponge has to be placed on one side away from the boxes of cigars.  A plastic humidor is not recommended for long-term use since plastic tends to retain more moisture than the ideal humidor environment.

A homemade wooden humidor is a better option but will require some woodwork skills.  There area actually many do-it-yourself humidor kits available in the market.  Aside from woodwork skills, completing this project would require specific equipment.  Dimensions can be adjusted depending on personal preference.  In lieu of cedar linings which may not be readily available, linings from Spanish cigar boxes can be used.  To complete the humidor, a digital hygrometer and humidifier are also needed.

About the Author:

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

Image: diynetwork.com

Originally posted on February 28, 2013 @ 4:42 am

Cigar Accessories

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Image: zontini

The cigar smoking experience can be made more pleasurable by having the proper cigar accessories.   These accessories ensure that the quality and flavor of cigars are properly preserved and that they are used correctly without resulting to wastage and deterioration of physical condition,  Cigar smokers can readily find these accessories in cigar shops whether online or in brick-and-mortar stores.

One of the most basic accessories is the cigar cutter.  Cigar cutters come in many different sizes and styles since cigars do not come in uniform sizes either.  The use of the right cigar cutter will ensure an accurate and quick cut that will not result to the inconvenient unraveling of the cigar wrapper which can happen when some other crude methods of cutting such as biting is used.  It should be noted that a single premium cigar is more expensive than a cutter so it wouldn’t make sense to waste the cigar by not having an appropriate cigar cutter.

Another basic accessory required in cigar smoking is the cigar lighter.  A torch lighter is recommended over a typical soft flame lighter since cigars have thicker gauges than cigarette.  Wind-resistance is another advantage of the torch lighter especially when the cigar smoker likes to smoke outdoors.  A special note to cigar lighting is never to use any lighting implements that will cause the cigar to be infused by any aroma or taste such as a scented candle or a lighter that contains liquid naphtha.  The interaction of an outside scent and flavor can totally destroy the cigar smoking experience because of the resulting nasty flavor.

Cigars should be stored in humidors.  A humidor is a box provided with constant humidity to preserve the excellent condition of cigars.  The humidor’s interior is usually made of Spanish-cedar.  Humidors must be maintained in appropriate temperatures to prevent cigar rotting and even worm infestation.

 

Originally posted on November 2, 2012 @ 3:16 am

What to Give Cigar Lovers this Christmas

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Christmas is just a few days away and people are still thinking of what presents to give. People who love cigars often get different kinds as gifts, but there are other things that they would also appreciate. Paying attention to details will make choosing easier.

First things first, get to know the recipient of the gift. Find out the brand, line, blend and size of cigar that person would want most. Since cigars often come in boxes of 25, it is a good idea to divide these into five and distribute them among friends. If you are willing to give them a box, that would be awesome.

If you are not sure of what kind of cigar they like, you can get them a sampler pack that contains various cigar blends for them to choose from. Who knows, they might just find their new favorite blend in one of them. Mild to medium cigar variants are always a safe option.

Cigar accessories also make great gifts. Pick an ashtray, lighter, cigar cutter, travel tubes or cases that fits the recipient’s personality. Better yet, have them engraved with their initials. Humidors also make great presents, but they are quite costly. A nice one costs $100 or even more. New cigar smokers would appreciate a 50-count humidor while veteran cigar smokers would probably need a bigger one.

If you are not sure of what to get, gift cards or certificates from cigar shops would be fantastic. Recipients can choose their present and you are sure that they will enjoy it. It is the easiest and surefire option, but nothing beats the thought behind picking something that suits the person you are giving gifts to.

Image from  Jungle Jim’s International Market

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Originally posted on December 20, 2011 @ 3:33 am