Frequently Asked Questions for Humidors

Q24: A cigar case is great for taking a few smokes away for the weekend, but it doesn't keep them from drying out. Short of buying a travel humidor, what do you recommend for keeping them in prime smoking condition?


A: A Ziplock bag.

Before we say any more, a disclaimer: Only a travel humidor will keep cigars in "prime smoking condition." But for a weekend, a sealed Ziplock bag is the next best thing, provided you're not traveling to Flagstaff, Arizona, or some other extraordinarily arid locale. There's no need to remove the cigars; just throw the entire case in there. If they were properly humidified right up until the moment they were placed in the Ziplock, you won't be able to detect a difference in the way they feel or smoke for at least two days.

If you're planning a longer trip, there are several mini-humidifiers on the market. They operate on the same principle as a Credo brand device; they're just smaller.

This is a reprint of the article in the "Tip of the Week" section of the website
of Cigar Aficionado ( www.cigaraficionado.com ) in the week of November 03, 1997.