Traveling with your favorite cigars can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to enjoy them in new and exciting locations. It can be an added joy to your vacation, allowing you to relax and unwind.
Ensuring that your cigars stay in perfect condition throughout your journey is crucial. After all, you don’t want to finally get to your destination to realize that your cigars haven’t made the journey. Let’s explore the essential steps to store your cigars when you’re on the move.
Choose the Right Travel Humidor
There are often people who question whether you can really travel with cigars. You know that they have to be stored correctly, and you might be debating whether this is achievable when you are going to spend hours in the car or on a plane. Well, the answer is yes. You just have to adapt how you store your cigars and they can maintain their flavor and aroma, no matter where you’re going.
The first step in cigar travel is selecting the right travel humidor. These portable cases are designed to maintain the ideal conditions for your cigars. They tend to be smaller and more compact in size, but still create a great storage environment. If you want a humidor for traveling, check out Northwoods Humidors. You’ll find a variety of designs and you can select the best one to fit in your luggage.
Don’t forget to think about how many cigars you want to bring to select a suitable size. There are some that are designed for just a few cigars. Alternatively, there are bigger designs that allow you to bring more.
Something else to check is the material of the travel humidor. You want to ensure that it’s airtight and strong. This ensures that it won’t get crushed or cause an unstable environment. It’s best to choose one that is solid and sturdy. For example, this could be plastic or wood. You also want to select a design that you like. This way, you can have it on display at your destination.
Tips for Traveling with Cigars
Quality cigars cost money and you want to ensure they’re not wasted when you get to your destination. Here are some tips to ensure this won’t happen.
Season Your Travel Humidor
Before loading your cigars, season your travel humidor. This process involves adding humidity to the humidor to create a stable environment for your cigars. Use a humidification device, such as a Boveda pack or gel jar, and let it stabilize for at least 24 hours at the desired humidity level (usually around 70%).
Prepare Your Cigars
Inspect your cigars and ensure they are in good condition. If any cigars have loose wrappers or other imperfections, consider leaving them behind. Place your cigars in your travel humidor, ensuring they are not too tightly packed, as this can affect air circulation.
Use a Hygrometer
A hygrometer is vital for monitoring humidity levels within your travel humidor. It will help you ensure your cigars are stored in the ideal environment. Check the hygrometer regularly to make sure the humidity remains consistent.
Keep Your Humidor Upright
When traveling, keep your travel humidor in an upright position. This helps prevent the cigars from shifting and maintains an even distribution of humidity throughout the case.
Avoid Temperature Extremes
Cigars are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Avoid leaving your travel humidor in direct sunlight or extreme heat. Similarly, don’t store it in a freezing cold environment. Room temperature is your best bet.
Limit Opening the Humidor
Each time you open your travel humidor, you allow a rush of outside air to disrupt the humidity balance. Try to limit how often you open it and only do so when you need to select a cigar. For example, this should be only when you want to use a cigar and not just for admiring them. We know it’s tempting, but you want to ensure they are going to be at their best when you want to enjoy one.
Traveling by Plane
If you’re traveling by plane to your destination, remember to follow airline regulations regarding carrying cigars and lighters in your carry-on luggage. Some airlines may have specific rules, so check in advance what they are.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your cigars remain in excellent condition during your travels. Whether you’re on a weekend getaway or an extended trip, proper cigar storage will ensure you can savor your favorite smokes wherever you go.
