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Nothing is sadder to a cigar lover than a dry cigar. You want that great cigar you bought a month ago, open your humidor, ready to enjoy it, and discover a porous, dried-up, flavorless stick that crumbles as you touch it. Never fear my fellow cigar aficionados, the majority of dry cigars are savable. They can be restored with some time and patience, however. Here’s how we fix that stick
Fix That Stick – How to Save Your Dried Out Cigars
Cigar leaves are full of oil and moisture. These unique items are what give them their taste, scent, and fuel. If cigars lose humidity, the leaves will shrink and the oils evaporate. That can result in wrappers that crack, a meaty taste, and an uneven burn. And if a cigar has been bone-dry for months, unfortunately, you should assume it may never fully recover. But if there’s still some hint of suppleness, it can often be rehabbed back to a nearly mint state.
Never Rush the Process
The No. 1 mistake people make is attempting to “shock” a cigar back to life by dumping it right in a high-humidity humidor. This can cause the wrapper to expand more quickly than the filler, ultimately cracking it and permanently ruining the cigar. Rehydration has to be gradual. Think of it as the way you would not want to restore an old leather jacket — too much moisture all at once and you’ll ruin it.
Step 1 – Begin in a Low-Humidity Room
The first thing you want to do to fix that stick is start in a low-humidity room. Dry cigars should now be placed in an air-tight container, such as a small plastic storage box or cooler. Include a humidity pack or a humidifier that is calibrated to maintain a relative humidity of 60–62%. Keep them there for about two weeks. This slow introduction hydrates the cigars and allows them to become accustomed to the RH level without shocking their wrappers.
Step 2 – Some More Humidity
Increase the humidity a little bit more now. Raise the humidity level to 65–68 percent after two weeks of incubation. Keep the cigars in there for a further 2-3 weeks. Here is where the tobacco starts to mellow out once more. You should be beginning to sense the body of the cigar getting a little bit spongy again. If the wrappers are still whole and flexible, you’re good.
Step 3- Revert to Original Humidity Settings
Now that your cigars are stabilized, transfer them to your humidor – just regular, no special formula here, we are building the perfect conditions for 70-72% rH (relative humidity). Give them at least a couple more weeks to sit before smoking the first one. It takes a month or more from start to finish, but is it worth the wait. And the longer the cigars rest, the better job they’ll do in balancing their internal moisture.
What Not to Do
Do not soak cigars, or use a wet cloth to “rehydrate” them. That’s going to destroy the wrapper and taint the taste. And don’t even think about putting them in the refrigerator or freezer. Temperature fluctuations and low humidity won’t help matters either. Skip flavored or scented humidifiers. Tobacco takes on odors with remarkable ease, and if a cigar acquires outside aromas, you’re stuck with them.
Testing the Results
When you believe your cigars have aged long enough, try one. Cup it gently with your hand — it should be firm to the touch but yielding, not stiff or soggy. When you light it, the burn should be even, the drag natural. If the flavor is dull or harsh, allow the batch to sit longer until it mellows. The few cigars that are totally bone dry might not be able to regain all of their complexity, but most will come back to a smokeable state with a smooth and balanced burn.
Preventing Future Problems
Once you’ve saved your cigars, it’s time to focus on prevention. Store your humidor in a consistent environment that avoids any direct sunlight or heat. Use an accurate hygrometer to measure humidity. Regularly refill or replace your humidifying device. If you’re traveling or living in a dry place, then keep your cigar case topped up with water. You can also purchase a travel humidor to keep at least three cigars moist enough during the trip. It’s easier to keep a good cigar alive than raise them up from the dead.
Fix That Stick
Bringing a dry cigar back to life is a slow process, but one that’s often worth the trouble. With some patience, controlled humidity, and a little bit of care, you can bring back to life cigars that appear lost. The answer is a sustained recovery, not quick fixes. Treat those cigars the way you treat the practice of smoking them—slow, deliberate, with an appreciation for each layer of artisanship hidden within.
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