A common question among cigar-smoking newcomers is, "How long do cigars last?" The answer is less straightforward than you might expect.
Knowing how to keep your cigars fresh is one of the first things you should learn as you embark on your smoking journey. Smoking fresh singles isn’t a problem. However, learning more about storage is beneficial when you’re ready to buy packs or boxes of ten or more cigars.
It’ll take you some time to smoke an entire box of cigars. But if you learn how to store cigars properly, you’ll keep the last stick as fresh as the first.
This beginner's cigar expiration guide will look at some of the most common ways to store top-quality smokes, as we answer each question in turn:
- How long do cigars last in a humidor?
- How long do cigars last in a plastic wrapper?
- How long do cigars last without a humidor?
- How long do cigars last in a box?
By the end of this guide, you’ll understand how to store cigars for the best results. You’ll also see why a purpose-built humidor is the professional choice for keeping them fresh.
How long do cigars last?
There isn't a single answer to this question. Your cigars’ lifespan depends on the environmental conditions you choose for them.
Manufacturers craft cigars from tobacco and a touch of natural glue to hold them together. And we've all seen what happens to leaves on a hot, dry summer’s day, or to fallen leaves after heavy rain.
If you expose your cigars to the sun or central heating, they quickly lose moisture. This makes the tobacco leaves dry, crinkly, and loose in only a few hours. When you store cigars in a damp place, the leaves soak up moisture and swell. That moisture creates a soft, spongy texture and can plug the cigar or cause mold growth.
Careful storage can keep cigars in good condition for years, which is why some of the most valuable smokes on the planet are decades old.
How long do cigars last in a humidor?
Using a climate‑controlled cigar humidor keeps your cigars in peak condition for as long as you store them.
Cedar-lined humidors are popular because the wood naturally balances humidity. However, plastic, metal, and glass humidors can also work well.
You must maintain the humidor’s interior at around 70% relative humidity (RH) and 70°F, and you can adjust this as you gain experience.
If you store a cigar in a humidor, it will stay smokable, and many aficionados prefer the complexity of flavor that develops as a cigar ages.
How long do cigars last in a plastic wrapper?
Individual cigars (both as singles and in a box) are often wrapped in cellophane. This can make beginners think the cigar won't dry out. Plastic is waterproof, right?
In reality, cellophane wrappers are porous and let moisture escape. As a result, cigars dry out even inside their wrappers. A wrapped cigar typically goes bad in about four weeks.
When you transfer cigars to a humidor after delivery, always remove the cellophane so the humidor can correctly regulate the humidity.
How long do cigars last without a humidor?
Outside of a humidor, your cigars face a double threat. Excess humidity causes mold, and insufficient moisture causes dryness.
You should throw away moldy cigars. They’re unsafe and impossible to rescue once mold has grown, which can happen in a few days of high humidity.
However, you can revive a dry cigar. Place it in a humidor or humid cigar box and slowly raise its RH to 70%. Although you’ll lose some essential oils, the cigar will still smoke well after rehydration.
Either way, it's best not to expose your cigars to extreme conditions. If you don't have a humidor yet, Boveda humidity packs are a good compromise. They can help keep a steady humidity inside a cigar box—or your humidor, if you want extra peace of mind.
How long do cigars last in a box?
Remember the humidity and temperature risks if you’re considering keeping cigars in their original box.
Since the box offers no humidity or temperature control, your cigars risk drying out or growing mold. The damage will still occur even if it takes a few extra days.
You can use a Boveda pack to transform a cigar box into a temporary humidor, but purchasing a professional humidor is the best option.
The real question is how long you want your cigars to last. A quality humidor keeps cigars smokable indefinitely so you can explore your collection at your leisure.
