Are you thinking of buying or building a cigar cabinet ? You have a doubt about the wood to choose? You don't know which are the
best woods for cigar humidors ?
Everything is explained in this article.
When you are interested in cigar humidors, either to buy one or to make one, it is an absolutely essential component to take into account. It is this component that will make the humidor a haven of peace for your vitolas, or not. This component is obviously the wood.
The best woods for a cigar cabinet are :
- Spanish cedar
- American red cedar
- Honduran mahogany
Below, we will also look at what is expected of a wood for a humidor.
THE ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES FOR A CIGAR CABINET
What is important for a wood to be suitable for a cigar cabinet :
1. MAINTAIN CONSTANT HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
The main purpose of a humidor is to ensure that cigars are kept in the most suitable conditions. Among these conditions, the two most important variables are temperature and humidity.
Thus, a humidor is required to withstand the vagaries that can fluctuate on these conditions. It will therefore require wood that is strong enough not to warp, crack or rot when exposed to humidity and temperature variations.
2. IMPROVE THE FLAVOUR OF CIGARS AS THEY AGE
Another important feature of humidors is their ability to "improve" cigars over time. After all, a lot of effort is put into storing great wines for decades and revealing wonderful flavours. Cigars are also one of those "consumables" that can age and reveal new flavours in the process.
In order to do this, the wood must not only be able to keep the cigars fresh, but also react to the oils contained in the tobacco leaves so that they develop favourably over time. This is the sine qua non condition to guarantee quality ageing.
3. PROTECTION AGAINST INSECT ENEMIES OF THE CIGAR
The last important point inherent in the storage conditions is insects. Everyone knows that humidity combined with a certain temperature is a favourable environment for attracting insects of all kinds.
Cigar humidors, for example, can be prone to tobacco beetles and termites, especially if they are made of wood. All the more reason to choose wood carefully. As you will see, nature is good and has a solution for every problem.
Let's take a look at the different types of wood suitable for a humidor.
1/3 SPANISH CEDAR (CEDRELA ODORATA)
It is no coincidence that almost all high-end humidors are made of this exotic wood. This is due to the many favourable characteristics of Spanish cedar.
In addition to its elegance and "luxury" appearance, it naturally prevents tobacco beetles from burrowing into your cigars, thus increasing the life of the cigars. The strong odour emitted by Spanish cedar acts as a natural insect repellent, especially against tobacco beetles.
It is also the most effective wood for regulating temperature and humidity due to its high absorbency. This unequalled regulation prevents cigars from losing their taste over time. Better still, it allows cigars to age in the best possible conditions, encouraging their aromas to come out.
So, if you want to be sure that your cigars keep all their personalities, you are sure not to go wrong with Spanish cedar.
2/3 AMERICAN RED CEDAR (THUYA PLICATA)
Another particularly popular option is American red cedar. This wood has similar characteristics to Spanish cedar, with good absorbency, ideal for conserving moisture. It also has a pungent smell that naturally scares away insects.
However, where the smell of Spanish cedar is not a problem, the smell of American red cedar is much more pronounced and can become annoying. So much so that if you leave your vitolas in the humidor for too long, they can acquire a "woody" taste.
This "new" taste offered to cigars is not necessarily unpleasant and even has its followers, but it is advisable to taste before committing to this wood. This is why most cigar lovers hesitate to use this option, even if they are sometimes surprised in the right way, but its low price still makes it attractive.
3/3 HONDURAN MAHOGANY (SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA)
One of the most affordable options, Honduran mahogany is a credible alternative due to its cigar-friendly properties. Although Spanish cedar is the champion of the discipline, other types of wood are also perfectly suited to humidors. Honduran mahogany is one of these.
It has become a plausible solution thanks to its absorption rate, which is surprisingly similar to that of Spanish cedar. It is also much cheaper, which makes it extremely attractive to new smokers.
On the other hand, it does not protect as well against beetles and tobacco worms. It is therefore preferable in areas that are particularly free of these insects.
YOUR BUDGET WILL DEFINE YOUR CHOICE !
Among these three options, there is a clear winner. However, whichever one you choose, each of these three woods will keep your cigars in excellent condition.
You know exactly which wood is the best for a humidor !
In the end, the decisive factor will be the budget you are willing to allocate to it. Whether you are buying a humidor or considering building your own, Spanish cedar will be a wise investment in any case.
However, if this first choice is not possible, the other options, Honduran mahogany or American red cedar, are all equally viable.
If you need help choosing a cigar cabinet, take a look at our collection !
