Cohiba storage

[GWN7]

A friend brought me a present. They will last me over a year (or more). What's the best way to store them so they don't dry out before I get to enjoy them?

[HHI944]

That's a good friend! Not really any way around it, you need a humidor. Not affiliated, but thompsoncigar.com has pretty good prices, they take freaking forever to ship though.

[Geronimo '74]

If they dry out, it is not a big problem, you can still put them in a humidor then.
They return to their "original" state again.
That's what I've heard from an avid cigar smoker.
I don't smoke, it stinks, and quite unhealthy so it seems...

[alf]

I mostly smoke pipes but have some cigars i keep in a homemade tupperware/sports bottle/zip lock bag humidor. Work well enough and is inexpensive. Hydration provided by a damp tissue in a hole punched zip lock bag or some products specifically designed for this use.

[tangerine911S]

Knowing nothing about cigars, I just looked up the price for that box. I just about **** myself.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by tangerine911S

Knowing nothing about cigars, I just looked up the price for that box. I just about **** myself.

Really? I have no idea. Got a link?

He found a 62 Buick. I was suppost to go with him and get it, but nature had other plans for me. So I gave him my truck and car hauler.

[billybek]

If there is a good cigar store close by, some will rent lockers in their humidor. A friend of mine brought back a box of Romeo and Juliette's and also a box of Montcristos just before my son was born and a cigar store downtown stashed them for me at no charge for two months. I gave the owner a few cigars for his trouble.
You can also purchase a small humidor. I have used Tupperware and ziplocks and have added some moistened paper towel.
Some cigar tubes with the cedar inside is a good short term storage solution if you need to take some on a road trip.

That is a box of money you have there. Don't let them go bad.

[Joeaksa]

Do they store any better putting them in the fridge? Always wondered about doing that but in a ziplock bag.

[stomachmonkey]

Humidors are not expensive $50 or less will get you a reasonable sized one.

Tupperware or ziplock baggie with a new unused damp cellulose kitchen sponge will work as well.

If they dry they can be rehydrated. Forgot about a box of Davidoff's once, took a couple of weeks in my humidor to resurrect but they were fine.

Joe, no fridge. Too dry.

[legion]

I usually rant about how Cohibas are overpriced, but if a friend bought them, well, there's no issue there. I myself prefer a nice Dominican over anything Cuban these days. I think the qualities of the Cuban cigars declined considerably under Communism. (They went from excellent to mediocre.)

That said, you can buy a humidor or store it in the box. You can get cigar-shaped sponges in a plastic box at any cigar store that are better than the devices that comes with a humidor. Use distilled water or a water-glycerin mix (also available at any cigar store).

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

No. One of the worst things you can do. Dries them out in a heartbeat. Remember 70% humidity and 70 degrees f is optimal.

Hmmm, guess I will pull them out then! Good news is that I will have a lot more room in the fridge.

If you do not have room in the humidor for them what are your alternatives? Do not need them ready to smoke, but want to preserve them.

[ramonesfreak]

if you want to save some money instead of buying a humidor

put the cigars in a box. then go to your local guitar store and buy what is called a "dampit". its used to keep acoustic guitars humidified during winter. Its a long sponge enclosed in a rubber tube with holes. You should be able to pick one up for about $12 or so.... they look like this

Dampit - The string and wood instrument humidifier to protect against cracking

[ramonesfreak]

[woodman]

One thing you should do with Cubans is put them in the freezer for 24 hrs, then to the fridge for 24-36 hrs, then into your humidor. I know it sounds crazy, but you have to kill the tobacco worm larvae that are likely in the cigars. Nothing worse than having half a dozen boxes put down then opening them 6 months later to find them full of holes. And yes, they are still appetizing to me after talking about it.

[legion]

Originally Posted by srandallf

Please don't post pictures of sex toys!

[ramonesfreak]

hahaha

[cashflyer]

If that tax stamp in your photo has not been moved, meaning it is stuck there as received, then they are likely counterfeits.

The cuban tax stamp has a specific placement and orientation, defined by law.

Fake Cuban Cigars - How to spot counterfeit or fake Cuban Cigars
The Ultimate Counterfeit Cuban Cigar Primer
Let me google that for you

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

If that tax stamp in your photo has not been moved, meaning it is stuck there as received, then they are likely counterfeits.

The cuban tax stamp has a specific placement and orientation, defined by law.

Fake Cuban Cigars - How to spot counterfeit or fake Cuban Cigars
The Ultimate Counterfeit Cuban Cigar Primer
Let me google that for you

Interesting, but as he bought them in Cuba and I picked him and his wife up at the airport when they returned from there (direct flight). I find it hard to believe they are fakes, unless the Cubans are conterfeiting their own cigars.

[cashflyer]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, and I hope you have the genuine article.
I just wanted to mention it because of the tax stamp placement.

Originally Posted by GWN7

...unless the Cubans are conterfeiting their own cigars.

Actually, there is a thriving counterfeit industry in Cuba.

From one of the links:

Counterfeit cigars are a problem in Cuba. The only way to get true cigars is to buy them at the official State stores. Indeed, Havana hides many workshops producing counterfeits cigars and a huge network of retailers. Practically all the cigars resulting from these parallel networks are imitations.

Some non-official Havana cigars are even made in the same factory. In Cuba, each torcedor can roll cigars for his personal use on his own time. He can do this at work and with his own tobacco. Thus, you could buy a box directly from a torcedor, at the entrance of the factory, and still get counterfeit cigars.

[GWN7]

So, should I tell my buddy he gave me fakes? Or just enjoy them in the spirit that I received them?

I think I'll just enjoy them as is