Restoring a Dry Cigar

If a cigar has become dry and the wrapper has not cracked and unraveled, then it can be restored.
Although dry cigars could be brought back to an acceptable smoking condition, they will probably never be as good as they originally were.

Remove from any cellophane wrappers, cedar or aluminum tubes before any restoration process. If they are not excessively dry, the box with its lid open should be placed inside a large walk-in humidor or, if one is not available, in a cellar or similar dampish location, where they can be exposed slowly to dampness, as close to 70 percent humidity as possible.

After two or three days the top and bottom rows should be interchanged and should remain in that position for another two or three days.

If you do not have a walk-in humidor or cellar then you can probably undertake a similar process using two ziplock plastic bags. Firstly, puncture the smaller bag with many little holes and then insert the open box and close the bag. Place that bag, now containing the cigars, into a larger ziplock bag containing a wrung out slightly damp sponge. Seal the second bag. This method of using ziplock bags has been suggested by Lew Rothman, owner of

JR Cigars of America, one of the world’s largest retailers.

After four to six days the cigars should be removed from their box and exposed to the full humidity. Sometimes small water bubbles may appear under the wrapper, but there is nothing to fear as long as you give the cigars a 25 percent rotation every two or three, days.

At the end of the treatment the wrappers will again look and feel smooth with only the normal gentle crackling sound when the cigars are pressed between fingers. They can then be returned to their original box. If you use the ziplock bags, ensure the wrung-out sponge is just damp, not excessively wet.

When the cigars are not too dry they can sometimes be restored by simply wrapping the closed box in a damp (not wet) towel for about two weeks.

After treatment it is best to leave cigars for six to 12 months for the three components (filler, binder and wrapper) again to equilibrate before smoking. Just check on their condition every three months.

This is an extract from Rudman’s Complete Pocket Guide To Cigars - 4th Edition

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Related Topics: Cigar 101, Fix a Split or Cracked Cigar