Cigar Question


N

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
Like many here, I enjoy a cigar. But I haven't really kept mine very well over the years - just sling them in a wooden box.

However I was recently bought a serious humidor - serious in that it's beautiful and the 'proper' thing - with a humidity gauge etc. It would probably hold 100 cigars (I'm guessing - but it's a substantial thing made from Rosewood and Walnut).

A bit of research says 70% humidity is about right and the humidity gauge in the humidor is marked more boldly between 50 and 70%.

The question is - it's distilled water not tap water? Also should I soak the metal thing in the water or just add a few drops? I guess experimentation will reveal all.

However I feel confident there are some of our gang here who serve a perfect cigar. Any tips you'd like to share?

Thanks

Neil
 
Ideally distilled water is better, or special solutions one buys in a smoke shop. I used
Mistic Solution. Just add the solution till the device is wet. 70% is perfect and cigars will age for many years perfectly... just like wine.

Cigars pick up flavors from other cigars. Ideally only one brand and type of cigar in each humidor to prevent transfers. At the least cedar deviders between different brands of cigars.
 
I use an active humidifier device called a "wet oasis." A good stash of expensive cigar could be quite an investment. If you don't check your humidor ofter they can dry out. This device requires power but it seeks to keep the humidor at a 70%
 
I use Xikar propylene glycol solution for my two humidors...Like stated above, just add the solution until it is wet or won't hold any more. Dab the rest off with a rag and you're good to go. 70% is right but I have heard slightly different levels with certain cigars, although I doubt I would notice the difference between a few %.
 
I use the fridge
 
I would not put cigars in the fridge, they will pick up every odor there just like baking soda....
 
B O N Y said:
I would not put cigars in the fridge, they will pick up every odor there just like baking soda....
Click to expand...

No wonder Clinton's cigar had a foul odor to it.
 
Prowler said:
No wonder Clinton's cigar had a foul odor to it.
Click to expand...

:rofl
 
Prowler said:
No wonder Clinton's cigar had a foul odor to it.
Click to expand...


'Took 7 posts! My guess was it'd take no more than 3 to get Clinton & Monica involved in this thread...
 
Empty Pockets said:
'Took 7 posts! My guess was it'd take no more than 3 to get Clinton & Monica involved in this thread...
Click to expand...

Just what I was thinking...! I was scrolling down thinking 'yup, useful. Oh, that's useful. Yup, go that...' and then 'woooahaha, here we go!'

What exactly is Xikar propylene glycol? Available from what type of shop?

Thanks for the replies, very useful...
 
Glycol is the humidor solution that a good cigar/smoke shops should stock.
 
B O N Y said:
I would not put cigars in the fridge, they will pick up every odor there just like baking soda....
Click to expand...

I used an old basement refrigerator from the 70s (avacado green) set on lowest setting where i stored champagne, white wine, heineken.

It kept the cigars fresh.

I think the new fridges with hunidity control woul rot/mold them.
 
Neilda said:
What exactly is Xikar propylene glycol? Available from what type of shop?
Click to expand...



I think Xikar is a "brand" name. But as far as prop. gly is concerned:


"Veterinary Dictionary: propylene glycol
A chemical used industrially as an antifreeze, solvent stabilizer, as a preservative in liquid livestock feeds and pharmaceutically as a vehicle or solvent for medicinal preparations. It is used extensively in food animal medicine as an oral medicament to boost the blood glucose level, e.g. in bovine acetonemia. Doses that are innocuous to cows can cause ataxia, depression and death in horses. Called also propanediol."


'Sounds like swell stuff to store ANYTHING with...duzzunit.:ack
 
Empty Pockets said:
I think Xikar is a "brand" name.
Click to expand...
Yes, thats correct. Xikar is just a brand name and I'm thinking one brand isn't any better than the other in this case. As Bony said, any good shop should have it.
 
My office is near a couple of decent cigar shops - I'll check it out.

Thanks for the info.

N
 
OK - I now have a bottle of Xikar Propylene Glykol which seems to come from Germany....

Thanks for the info, I feel set for some high humidity!
 
The Austrians have been known to add that to their wines... not very smart..
 
Same stuff?

I recall the news at the time which went under the banner of 'Austrians Add Anti-Freeze to Sweeten Wines'.
 
same family, I am not a chemist.
their export market was ruined.
giant recall, and of course the consumers remembered it for years.
that issue is over 20 years old.
 
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