Monday, November 29 1999
Q. I think my cigars are ruined. I took a cigar out of my
humidor yesterday and noticed that it was extremely soft, like a wet sponge. After checking most of the other cigars in the
box, they were damp, too. Is there any way to save them?
- Rick in Monroe, NJ
A. Sounds like your humidity is at an all-time high, so you'll need to dry those cigars out before they lose their bouquet altogether, or even worse, develop mold. The key here is to simply remove the source of the dampness, the usual suspect being your humidifier. (You might even want to leave the humidor open for a day or two.) Monitor the cigars daily until they begin to regain their firmness.
Most importantly, make sure your hygrometer is properly calibrated. You may have been getting false readings. If you don't have a hygrometer, I suggest you get one ASAP, preferably a good digital model that also displays the temperature in your humidor. Both, RH and temp play a vital role in the overall health and preservation of your cigars.
