Are you considering acquiring or crafting a cigar humidor? Are you uncertain about which wood to choose? Do you not know which woods are the best for cigar humidors?
Everything is explained in this article.
When it comes to cigar humidors, whether for acquisition or construction, there is one absolutely essential component to consider. It's the element that will either make the humidor a haven of peace for your cigars or not. This component is, of course, the wood.
The best woods for a cigar humidor are:
Spanish Cedar
American Red Cedar
Honduran Mahogany
Below, we will also discuss what is expected of wood for a cigar humidor.
Essential Properties for a Cigar Humidor
What is important for wood to be suitable for a cigar humidor:
1. Maintain Constant Humidity and Temperature
Owning a cigar humidor is primarily to ensure that cigars are kept under the most suitable conditions for them. Among these conditions, the two most important variables are temperature and humidity levels.
Therefore, a cigar humidor is expected to withstand fluctuations in these conditions. It will require wood that is strong enough not to warp, crack, or rot when exposed to humidity and temperature variations.
2. Enhance the Flavor of Cigars as They Age
Another important characteristic of cigar humidors is their ability to "age" cigars over time. After all, considerable effort goes into aging fine wines for decades to reveal wonderful flavors. Cigars are also among these "consumables" capable of aging and developing new flavors during the process.
To achieve this, the wood must not only preserve the freshness of cigars but also react to the oils contained in tobacco leaves, allowing them to evolve favorably over time. This is a crucial condition to guarantee quality aging.
3. Protection Against Cigar-Attacking Insects
The last important aspect related to storage conditions is insects. It is well-known that humidity combined with a certain temperature creates an environment conducive to attracting various types of insects.
Cigar humidors, especially wooden ones, can be susceptible to tobacco beetles or termites. This is all the more reason to choose the wood carefully. As you will see, nature provides a solution for every problem.
Let's now take a look at the different types of wood suitable for a cigar humidor.
1/3 Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
It's no coincidence that almost all high-end humidors are made from this exotic wood. This is due to the numerous favorable characteristics of Spanish cedar.
In addition to being elegant and having a "luxurious" appearance, it naturally prevents tobacco beetles from burrowing into your cigars, thereby extending their lifespan. The strong aroma emitted by Spanish cedar acts as a natural repellent against insects, especially tobacco beetles.
It is also the most effective wood in regulating temperature and humidity levels due to its strong moisture-absorbing properties. This unparalleled regulation prevents cigars from losing their flavor over time. Moreover, it allows cigars to age under the best possible conditions, encouraging their flavors to reveal themselves.
So, if you want to ensure that your cigars retain all their characteristics, you can be certain that you can't go wrong with Spanish cedar.
2/3 American Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Another particularly popular option is American red cedar. This wood shares similar characteristics with Spanish cedar, possessing good moisture-absorption properties ideal for humidity preservation. It also emits a pungent odor that naturally repels insects.
However, where the scent of Spanish cedar doesn't pose an issue, the aroma of American red cedar is much stronger and can become bothersome. To the extent that if you leave your cigars in the humidor for too long, they can acquire a "woody" taste.
This "new" flavor imparted to the cigars is not necessarily unpleasant and even has its enthusiasts, but it is advisable to taste before committing to this wood. That's why most cigar enthusiasts hesitate to use this option, even though sometimes they are pleasantly surprised, but its affordability still makes it attractive.
3/3 Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
One of the most economically accessible options, Honduran mahogany is primarily a credible alternative due to its "cigar-friendly" properties. While Spanish cedar is the champion in this field, other types of wood also work perfectly well for humidors, and Honduran mahogany is one of them.
It has become a plausible solution due to its moisture-absorption rate, which is surprisingly similar to that of Spanish cedar. It is also much cheaper, making it extremely appealing to new smokers.
On the downside, it doesn't offer as strong protection against tobacco beetles and cigar worms. Therefore, it is preferable in regions where these insects are less of a concern.
Your budget will determine your choice!
Among these three options, there is an undisputed winner. Nevertheless, regardless of the choice you make, each of these three woods will keep your cigars in excellent condition.
You now know definitively what the best wood for a cigar humidor is!
In the end, the decisive factor will be the budget you are willing to allocate. Whether it's for the purchase of a cigar humidor or considering making your own, Spanish cedar will, in any case, be a wise investment.
However, if this first choice is not feasible, the other options, Honduran mahogany or American red cedar, are all equally viable.
If you need assistance in choosing a cigar humidor, take a look at our collection!
