What's the best way to keep cigars fresh?

[Fritz The Cat]

A buddy of mine gives me a hand full of cigars every time I see him. I don't really smoke that many and they've accumulated. I now have about 3 dozen in a zip lock bag. I don't own a humidor, should I invest in one or is there another way?

[fubar606]

soak a rag about half the size of a wash cloth with spiced rum not dripping but damp put in the zip lock leave it for about a week . there's some good smoking right there.
          I leave a it in my humidor works great

[Jess from VA]

Give Monica Lewinsky a call.

Double bagged with air removed, kept in the freezer should help considerably.  It may be too late now.

[big d]

Paging OSS. How about going to see bill Clinton and ask him how he keeps them fresh. Oh sorry, he has a humidor called Monica.

[Valkernaut]

How's come Big D was #3 - thought that would be #1!!

Jim

[RainMaker]

Slick Willy's humidor doesn't seem to keep cigars as fresh anymore

[Moonshot_1]

Give Monica Lewinsky a call.

Double bagged with air removed, kept in the freezer should help considerably.  It may be too late now.

Wouldn't this kill Monica?

[Pappy!]

A good humidor works wonders!
If you think your cigars are already dry then they should be placed in a humidor for possibly upwards of a month to regain the proper humidity.
When travelling you can get a small travel humidor, a small Pelican box, or even a good Ziploc with a partially moistened paper towel. If using the last method then make sure the cigars have the cello wrappers on them still.
On another note - I like that idea with the rum...may try that on a couple of my every day style cigars.

[WNGD]

Smoke some, give some away and tell your buddy thanks but that you don't smoke that much.
My sister manages a Starbucks and I get a lb of coffee ever time I see her. Trouble is we don't drink coffee at home....

[Hook#3287]

That Rum thing sound interesting.

In the past, I've used a new sponge with DISTILLED water.  Cut the sponge into 1-2 " squares, soak them in distilled water and throw them into a freezer bag for however long you like.

You can get distilled water by the gallon at Walmart for like $1.49 or from the end of an a/c unit exit tube.

[john]

                           tupperware ?               

[NCGhostrider]

Please don't put them in the freezer.  That is a last resort for cigars with tobacco worms.   The ziplock will work with a bit of moisture.   

Ideally, low 70 degrees and about 67% humidity as best as I remember is the magic area. 

www.jrcigars.com  is a good place to look for cheap humidor/cigar bargains.
also  thompson Cigar is an alternative.

Tupperware will work if you leave a bit of breathing room (unlatched corner?).  That is the secret.  They need a bit of fresh air to prevent mold.  But the temps and humidity I suggested also are the big players.

Do some internet searching for ideas. 

If all else fails, send them to me.  I will smoke them for you !!!

Craig

NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Jess from VA]

My freezer idea was more a guess at retaining freshess, mine never get that old.

Egads man, what are tobacco worms?  I have never found any.... I hope I didn't eat or smoke any. (spit).

How does one of these hide in a cigar? 

[..]

Give Monica Lewinsky a call.

Double bagged with air removed, kept in the freezer should help considerably.  It may be too late now.

Wouldn't this kill Monica?

Thank you

[G-Man]

When my stash gets a bit dry, I add a little piece of a carrot to the baggy.   

[Hook#3287]

Please don't put them in the freezer.  That is a last resort for cigars with tobacco worms.   The ziplock will work with a bit of moisture. 

Never run across any of those buggers, that would suck.    I don't know if I'd hang on to cigars with worms, I might have to chuck those.

I was only suggesting the freezer BAG cause they are usually heavy duty.

[czuch]

I like apple when moisture is needed. That or some orange peel.
Smokem faster or invest in a decent humidor. The freezer will dry them into pipe tobacco.
AND those worms are gnarleeeyyyy!! I bought some hand rolls in Puerto Rico on a cruise and about a month later there was holes in the cigars.
All the cigars in the humidor were shot.

[NCGhostrider]

LOL I should have said tobacco beetles I think.   I had a case of them one time from some "fresh" handrolled a friend brought me.   You freeze the cigars to kill them.  But it is a pretty drastic move.

Now, If i get fresh rolled, I leave them in a separate ziplock bag for a period of time to make sure they are ok.  .

Cigars, for the ones that are serious, are like wine.  There are taste tests, flavor comparisons, burning tests, ash tests etc.  History of tobacco makes a difference. 

I know a little, but just prefer to smoke a decent cigar.  Experience has told me that in my opinion, anything above about a $15.00 cost is just bragging rights.  And, no (before someone thinks I smoke $15.00 cigars), my daily smokes are much less than that!!!.

My .02

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S