Cigar cabinet, how does it work?
Owning beautiful cigars is a pleasure, but knowing how to store them is an art. To preserve the aromas and elasticity of your tobacco leaves, using appropriate equipment is essential. Understanding how your humidor works is the first step to becoming a true connoisseur — and the absolute prerequisite for your cigars to reveal their full aromatic potential.
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This article explains how a humidor works. To choose and order your model, consult our collection directly.
View all our cigar humidors →What is a cigar storage humidor for?
Unlike a simple storage box, a humidor is a controlled environment designed to recreate ideal storage conditions. It acts as a true microclimate, maintaining a precise balance between temperature and humidity.
This microclimate reproduces the natural conditions of producing countries like Cuba or the Dominican Republic — where the tobaccos were grown, fermented, and rolled. Without this controlled environment, cigars quickly lose their organoleptic properties, especially their complex aromas and homogeneous burn.
Controlled storage also allows for the progressive aging of cigars — a natural process that enhances their aromatic richness and softens the harshness of young tobacco, much like a good wine improves in its bottle. Some high-quality cigars (Cohiba Behike, large Partagas) gain complexity over several years in a well-maintained humidor.
→ Discover our complete selection of Spanish cedar humidors for optimal storage.
Ideal storage conditions: humidity and temperature
The American 70/70 rule: often cited across the Atlantic (70°F / 70% RH), this rule is slightly too warm and too humid for European standards. Prefer 65-68% RH at 16-18°C for optimal long-term storage — especially for Cuban cigars with more delicate wrappers.
Humidity directly influences the internal structure of the cigar. A well-preserved cigar maintains a supple texture, a slow burn, and a faithful rendition of aromas. Conversely, an incorrect humidity level causes irregular burning, difficult draw, and an irreversible loss of the tobacco's essential oils.
→ All our cigar humidors with integrated hygrometer guarantee this optimal humidity level.
Essential elements of a good storage system
An effective humidor relies on three components that work in synergy:
- An interior made of Spanish cedar — the reference material for natural humidity regulation
- A reliable humidification system — the active humidity provider for your humidor
- A precise hygrometer — the monitoring and control instrument
The role of Spanish cedar wood
Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) is the universal reference material for cigar storage — and for good reason. It possesses several unique natural properties:
- Humidity regulation: it absorbs excess humidity and releases it when the air becomes too dry, acting as a natural buffer that stabilizes internal conditions.
- Antifungal properties: its natural oils help prevent mold growth — essential protection for cigars stored for long periods.
- Pest repulsion: it helps repel the tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), the main enemy of cigar collections.
- Aromatic enrichment: its subtle fresh wood scent accompanies and gradually enriches the tasting experience during aging.
Seasoning: an essential step before first use. Before placing your cigars in a new humidor, it is essential to prepare your box to stabilize the internal environment and prevent the dry wood from absorbing humidity from your cigars. Consult our dedicated guide: How to properly prepare a cigar humidor?
→ All our models are lined with authentic Spanish cedar — consult the complete range.
The humidifier: the heart of the system
This is the main accessory that maintains optimal humidity in your humidor. After seasoning and once filled with cigars, the humidifier becomes the continuous humidity provider of your storage system. You will need to check and refill it regularly with demineralized water so that your cigars remain plump and burn slowly.
There are six main categories of humidifiers, each with its advantages and constraints:
| Type | Principle | Maintenance | Lifespan | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sponge | Historical system. Refill with distilled water + propylene glycol (50/50). | Frequent — bacterial risk if neglected | Variable | Entry-level |
| Floral foam | Green foam block with high retention. Gradual release. | Absorbs aromas — to be replaced annually | 1 year | Entry-level |
| Crystal gel | Beads holding up to 500x their weight in water. Very gradual release. | Reactivate with distilled water every 2-4 weeks | 1 to 2 years | Mid-range |
| Silica beads | Absorption and release similar to cedar. Dual action. | Reactivate every 2-4 weeks | 3 to 6 years | Mid-range |
| Humidipak (Boveda) | All-in-one bidirectional solution — absorbs AND releases as needed. | Replace every 2-3 months | 2 to 3 months | Practical & precise |
| Electronic | Sensor triggering controlled humidity release. | Monthly distilled water refill | Unlimited | High-end |
Our recommendation: for a collection of 20 to 50 cigars, crystal gel or Boveda packs offer the best compromise between precision and ease. For large collections (100+ cigars), an electronic humidifier is the essential investment — it eliminates all uncertainty and preserves your most precious cigars.
→ Our humidifiers and hygrometers are selected by our experts for every collector profile.
The hygrometer: the eye of your humidor
The hygrometer precisely measures the humidity level in real time — it's your indispensable control tool. Without it, you store your cigars blindly.
- Analog: simple, traditional, and aesthetic. Less precise (±5%) and requires annual calibration. Ideal for display humidors.
- Digital: more precise (±1-2%), often with threshold alarm and min/max memory. Recommended for any serious storage.
A poorly calibrated hygrometer is worse than no hygrometer — it gives you a false sense of security. Calibrate your hygrometer at least once a year using the salt test method (sachet of saturated salt in an enclosed space for 8h → should indicate 75% RH).
→ Find our range of digital and analog hygrometers for cigar humidors.
Best practices for storing your cigars
Rest after purchase: a cigar bought yesterday should not be smoked today — or at least not at its best. Let your cigars acclimatize in your humidor for at least 3 weeks before tasting. For high-quality cigars, 3 to 6 months of rest reveal their true aromatic potential.
Ready to choose your cigar humidor?
Now that you understand how a humidor works, the next step is to find the model that suits your collection and budget. Use our cigar humidor capacity calculator to precisely determine the size of humidor you need. At Atelier Atypique, we offer a complete range for all types of enthusiasts:
- Compact travel humidors made of leather and cedar for your trips — ideal for 5 to 10 cigars
- Desktop humidors made of Spanish cedar with integrated digital hygrometer — for 20 to 50 cigars
- Large capacity glass-top humidors for collectors — 100 cigars and more
Each model comes ready to use with a humidifier and hygrometer included, for optimal preservation upon receipt.
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FAQ — Cigar storage in a humidor
From Spanish cedar cigar humidors to precision humidifiers — find all the essential accessories to store your cigars in ideal conditions.
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