How to store cigars
Updated November 2026
The short answer
Premium cigars keep best at around 65–72% relative humidity and roughly 65–70°F (18–21°C). Many smokers follow the '70/70 rule', but most prefer a little lower humidity, around 65%, for a better burn.
Too dry, and cigars crack, burn hot and lose flavour. Too wet, and they burn unevenly, can grow mould, and are hard to draw.
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Why temperature matters
Heat is the bigger risk. Tobacco beetle eggs can hatch in warm conditions, generally above the mid-70s °F, and the larvae bore holes through cigars. Keep humidors away from sunny windows, radiators and hot cars.
Your storage options
- Cellophane and a sealed box: fine for a few days.
- Sealed plastic container ('tupperdor') with a two-way humidity pack: cheap, airtight and reliable.
- Wooden desktop humidor: classic, and the Spanish cedar lining adds aroma. Needs seasoning first.
- Cabinet or electronic humidor: for large collections, often with active humidity and temperature control.
How to season a new wooden humidor
Wood absorbs moisture, so a new humidor will dry your cigars out until the cedar is 'seasoned'. Place a two-way humidity pack (or a small dish of distilled water with a clean sponge) inside, close the lid and wait, usually a week or more, until a hygrometer holds steady at your target humidity.
Avoid wiping the cedar with tap water: it can warp the wood and leave minerals behind.
How many humidity packs?
Boveda, the best-known maker of two-way humidity packs, publishes a simple rule: one 60-gram pack for every 25 cigars of humidor capacity. Our humidor calculator does the maths for you.
Signs something is wrong
- White, powdery 'plume' that brushes off easily is sometimes seen on aged cigars; fuzzy blue-green spots that smear are mould. Throw mouldy cigars away and clean the humidor.
- Tiny round holes in the wrapper usually mean tobacco beetles. Freeze affected cigars and clean the humidor.
- A cracked wrapper usually means the cigar was too dry or moved too quickly between climates.
Common questions
What humidity should cigars be stored at?
Most smokers keep premium cigars at 65–72% relative humidity, with many preferring about 65% for a better burn.
What temperature should cigars be stored at?
Around 65–70°F (18–21°C). Avoid going above the low 70s °F, where tobacco beetle eggs can hatch.
How long do cigars last in a humidor?
Properly humidified premium cigars can be kept for years, and many smokers age them deliberately. Without humidity they can dry out within days or weeks.
