So, you’ve got a stash of cigars at home (or just bought some), and you’re wondering just how long they’ll last before they start to lose their charm, huh?
Well, you’re in luck because today, we’re going to dive deep into the world of cigar longevity.
We’ll provide you with some ballpark figures on cigar longevity across various storage conditions.
This includes plastic wrappers, original boxes, plastic bags, and humidors.
How Long Do Cigars Last in Plastic Wrappers
Although the plastic wrapper is porous and allows some moisture, it is not enough to make the cigars last for long periods.
The key to storing cigars is the humidity.
This is why leaving the cigar in a plastic wrapper will only stay fresh for a week or so.
The cellophane wrapper can help protect the cigar from damage and external contaminants. Still, it needs to be airtight to maintain proper humidity.
If you plan to keep cigars for an extended period, we recommend storing them properly.
Invest in a humidor or an improvised solution like a Tupperware container (not a long-term solution) with a humidity pack or a damp sponge to regulate the humidity.
How Long Do Cigars Last in a Plastic Bag
We’ve all been there, thinking about storing our precious cigars in a plastic bag, right? It’s a cheaper version than a proper humidor, but it won’t last long.
Well, from our experience, they can last a few weeks or maybe 1-3 months with a humidity Boveda pack.
But let’s be honest, it’s not the ideal way to treat our prized smokes. Only if you are traveling, this might be the ultimate solution.
We recommend investing in a proper humidor or creating a DIY storage solution with an airtight container and humidity control.
Trust us. Our cigars and taste buds will thank us when we light up those perfectly preserved stogies!
How Long Do Cigars Last in the Original Box
Your cigar box may look nice, but that is certainly not what matters when it comes to cigar storage.
Original cigar boxes can only be used to store your cigars for a few days.
They’re designed to protect during shipping rather than maintain the ideal 70% relative humidity and 70°F. And for
Cedar cigar boxes offer short-term freshness, flavor enhancement, and prevention of cigar beetles. But without a humidification source, cigars will dry out.
By housing cigars in their original boxes within spacious, humidity-controlled environments such as coolerdors or wine fridges, you can effectively maintain their distinct flavors.
As well as avoid blending tastes among various brands.
How Long Do Cigars Last in a Humidor
In a well-maintained humidor, cigars can last for years, even decades.
This is because a humidor preserves cigars by maintaining optimal humidity (65-72% relative humidity) and temperature (68-72°F or 20-22°C) levels.
These conditions allow cigars to age gracefully, often enhancing their flavors and complexity.
Therefore, regularly monitoring and adjusting humidity and temperature is crucial to ensure a consistent environment.
How you set up the humidor will affect how long your cigars last.
So, calibrate the hygrometer, season your humidor, and adjust the humidity levels accordingly.
If you do not do this correctly, you can cause your cigars to go bad before you get the chance to smoke them.
What’s the Process Behind Cigars Going Bad
Cigars are crafted from natural tobacco plant leaves, which, like any organic product, have a shelf life.
Tobacco and water are the primary components of a cigar.
The humidified tobacco leaves are crucial for maintaining the cigar’s flavor, structure, and consistency.
In this sense, comparing cigars to wines is more fitting.
If a cigar dries out, it can lead to a harsh, hot, and fast-burning smoke that ruins the entire experience.
On the other hand, over-humidifying a cigar can also be detrimental.
Excessive Humidity Levels
As we have mentioned before, the humidity level of your cigar is crucial.
However, many new cigar smokers think this means you should just prevent your cigar from drying.
As important as keeping your cigar humidified is, there is such a thing as too much humidity.
The texture might also turn sponge-like if there is too much moisture in the cigars.
Check your cigars when you buy them to ensure they aren’t too humidified.
There is a chance that the retailer might not have been storing them correctly.
To check this, hold the cigar between the fingers with just enough firmness to prevent squeezing.
This will give you an idea if it has excessive humidity levels.
Additionally, if the humidity is too high, mold may grow on your cigar, making it unsafe to smoke.
No Humidification at All
While too much humidity is bad for your cigar, what’s worse is no humidification at all.
There can be many reasons behind this. But the primary one is leaving your cigar out of the humidor for too long.
You can also make the mistake of keeping it in a container instead of a proper humidor.
We have a full guide on how to rehydrate cigars. Go check it out if you have this problem.
Remember, this can be a really long process, taking several months.
But, of course, this depends on how dry your cigars are.
Do not make the mistake of adding moisture back too quickly. If you attempt this, you will put your cigar under too much stress.
And it won’t guarantee that your beloved sticks will be rehydrated.
Misconceptions About Cigar Plume and Cigar Mold
There are a lot of theories about plume and mold in the world of cigars.
Some say that big brands made this “plume or bloom” thing to get rid of their bad products.
The presence of plume allegedly indicates that your cigars have aged properly.
And therefore, science has proven that plume or bloom is also a form of fungus.
However, the tiny white crystals on a cigar’s surface are literally no threat to your stogie.
In our personal opinion, simply wipe away the few white plume specks to experience the aging cigars’ renowned rich, smooth flavor and aroma.
However, if it’s a blue or green substance, meaning your cigar should be thrown away.
It has a weird musty stench and will not easily be wiped away like a plume is.
How Long Do Cigars Last FAQs
How long do Cuban cigars last?
Cuban cigars may last for years if stored in a humidor, practically indefinitely!
Many smokers claim that Cubans start to get more appealing around this five-year mark, although this is subjective.
Like wine, some people enjoy the strong flavor of a younger cigar with ligero tobacco.
In contrast, others appreciate the subtle refinement of one that has been well-aged.
Do cigars get better with age?
The majority of quality, handcrafted premium cigars will get better with age.
This is mainly due to the cigar’s natural oils maturing and the flavors blending and mellowing with time.
All you have to do is store them properly in a humidor.
How long do cigars last outside of humidor?
Cigars can last outside a humidor for several days, depending on the ambient humidity and temperature.
Yet, it’s best to store cigars in a humidor or another humidity-controlled environment for optimal preservation and flavor.
How can I tell if my cigar has gone bad?
A cigar has gone bad if it has a moldy or musty smell, visible mold or beetle holes, or if it feels dry and brittle.
In such cases, the cigar may not be suitable for smoking.
How long do machine-made cigars last?
Machine-made cigars may remain fresh outside a humidor for a year or two.
Surprisingly, if they are kept under the right conditions, they can last up to one hundred years!
The primary reason behind this is its minimalist design, which allows it to be made of dry-cured tobacco.
