How to Store Cigars at Home — Humidors, Boveda Packs, and More
Learn how to keep your cigars fresh at home with our guide to humidors, Boveda packs, tupperdors, and proper humidity and temperature for cigar storage.
Why Cigar Storage Matters
A cigar is a living product. It's made from organic leaves that constantly exchange moisture with the air around them. Store a cigar too dry and it burns hot, tastes bitter, and the wrapper cracks. Store it too wet and it won't stay lit, develops mold, or gets infested with tobacco beetles.
The magic numbers: 65-72% relative humidity and 65-70°F temperature.
Get those right and your cigars will not only stay fresh — they'll actually improve with age.
Option 1: A Traditional Humidor
The classic choice. A Spanish cedar-lined wooden box with a humidification device and hygrometer (humidity gauge).
What to Look For
Spanish cedar lining — Absorbs and releases moisture evenly, adds subtle cedar flavor, and repels tobacco beetles
Good seal — Close the lid and it should shut with a gentle "whoosh" of air. No gaps, no looseness
Reliable hygrometer — Digital is more accurate than analog. Calibrate it before trusting it
Adequate size — Buy bigger than you think you need. A 50-count humidor is a good starting point
Price Range
Budget: $30-60 for a basic 25-50 count humidor — perfectly functional for most people
Mid-range: $80-150 for better seals, thicker cedar, and premium construction
Premium: $200+ for furniture-grade humidors with glass tops, drawers, and large capacity
Setup Tips
Season it first — Never put cigars in a dry humidor. Wipe the interior cedar with distilled water using a clean sponge, close the lid, and wait 24-48 hours. Repeat until the hygrometer reads 65-70%.
Use distilled water only — Tap water introduces minerals and bacteria
Don't overcrowd — Cigars need air circulation. Leave some breathing room
Option 2: The Tupperdor
A surprisingly effective DIY solution. An airtight plastic container (like Tupperware or a Sistema container) with a Boveda pack inside.
Why It Works
Perfect seal — Airtight containers maintain humidity better than most humidors
Cheap — A good container is $10-15, a Boveda pack is $5-8
Scalable — Use a small container for 10 cigars or a large one for 100+
Low maintenance — Boveda packs are set-and-forget
How to Set One Up
Buy an airtight food storage container (BPA-free)
Drop in a Boveda 69% pack (one pack per 25 cigars)
Add your cigars
Done. Check the Boveda pack every few months — replace when it gets crunchy
Many experienced cigar smokers actually prefer tupperdors over traditional humidors. They're that effective.
Option 3: Boveda Packs (For Any Setup)
Boveda packs are two-way humidity control packets. They add moisture when the air is dry and absorb moisture when the air is too humid. They come in specific humidity levels — 69% is the most popular for cigars.
Why Boveda Is So Popular
Two-way control — Unlike sponge-based humidifiers that only add moisture
No maintenance — No refilling, no monitoring, no mess
Precise — Maintains within 1% of the listed humidity
Works in anything — Humidors, tupperdors, travel cases, ziplock bags
What NOT to Do
Don't use a regular ziplock bag long-term — No humidity control, your cigars will dry out in days
Don't store cigars in the fridge — Too cold, too dry, and food odors will absorb into the tobacco
Don't store in direct sunlight — Heat and UV damage wrappers and accelerate aging in bad ways
Don't mix flavored and non-flavored cigars — Infused cigars (ACID, Java, etc.) will transfer their flavor to everything nearby. Store them separately
Don't panic over small fluctuations — A temporary swing to 63% or 74% won't ruin your cigars. Consistency over time matters more than perfection in any given moment
How Long Can You Age Cigars?
With proper storage, many premium cigars improve with age:
1-2 years — Flavors mellow and blend together. Harshness fades.
3-5 years — Significant complexity develops. Many enthusiasts consider this the sweet spot.
5-10+ years — For premium, well-constructed cigars only. Flavors become exceptionally refined.
Not every cigar benefits from aging. Mild, Connecticut-wrapped cigars are generally best fresh. Full-bodied Nicaraguan puros (like Padron) age beautifully.
We Store Ours Perfectly — And Yours Will Too
At Cigar and Smoke Shop, our walk-in humidor is kept at precise temperature and humidity conditions. Every cigar you buy from us is in peak condition. If you need help setting up storage at home, our staff can recommend the right humidor, Boveda packs, or tupperdor setup for your collection size and budget.
Visit us at Arundel Mills Mall or call 443-755-5141.
