Case Humidor
What is a Cigar Humidor?
The dictionary definition of "humidor" is apparent enough. It's a compartment to store cigars that actively keeps humidity around 70 percent. But abaft that description remains a much more involved and amusing account.
Like most tobacco adornments, the cigar humidor has a far-reaching history. In one form or another, the cigar humidor goes back to archaic times, where tobacco was put away in chilled, damp caves. But the present humidor really originated in the 19th century, when cigars came into their more or less contemporary state.
Today's cigar humidor is a more complex and concernedly devised thing than its comparatively uncomplicated appearance may allude.
Bigger humidors for storing cigars are apt to be of a size that will hold the range of 10-100 cigars. They will usually have an interior made of Spanish cedar, though cheaper units may use an alternative wood species. They'll also universally include some kind of humidity control device, and usually a hygrometer for measuring it. Often, those will be combined in the same area.
Still bigger enclosures may hold anywhere from 100-1000 cigars, though those at the bigger end are usually used solely for commercial use. Anyone who needs to store 1,000 cigars for personal use is a true cigar aficionado. Keeping that many stogies in ideal conditions is a real challenge, even for the most frequent smoker.
At that level the cigar humidor will likely be in the form of a specialized product, similar to some wine storage enclosures though with alternative humidity and temperature settings. Even more probable in that case, a small closet or room would be utilized containing automatic temperature and humidity controls.
In the usual case of personal consumption for enjoyment, a fine cigar humidor does more than just preserve cigars capably, crucial as that is. It's also an accomplished piece of furniture that can take many forms, ranging from a classy and highly polished wooden or leather box intended for tabletop use to a glass-windowed box with legs.
The latter has to be cautiously regarded, though. Many humidors are beautiful pieces of furniture, but including glass in a cigar humidor presents special problems. It's more challenging to maintain humidity at the correct level. Moisture cannot make it in or out through the glass and, despite popular belief, a fine humidor - while very well sealed - is not hermetically sealed from the environment. Some air does flow in and out.
Even more difficult is the fact that invisible light (ultraviolet and infrared, to be specific) behaves alternatively when moving through glass than wood. Commanding those circumstances, to refrain from spoiling the wrapper and contents, calls for atypical (and therefore costly) manufacturing materials and methods.
Still, every good cigar humidorarrangement stays true to the same principle: the cigars come first. Luckily, there are several available that meet that goal very well and offer an elegant display at the same time.
H Upmann Travel Humidor 2007/08 Leather Case
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 NO RESERVE 400 ct WOOD CIGAR HUMIDOR CABINET END TABLE DISPLAY CASE OPEN BOX  US $150.00
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 BLACK OPS 4 CIGAR TRAVEL HUMIDOR CASE US $24.87
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 Humidor Cigar Carrying Case and Ash Tray US $77.00
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