6 Negative Effects of Storing Cigars Without a Humidor

Cigar enthusiasts know that premium cigars are as delicate and nuanced as fine wine. Despite their luxury appeal, cigars are surprisingly sensitive to their environment. Without proper storage, their rich flavors, aroma, and structural integrity can quickly degrade.

To fully enjoy every draw, storing your cigars in a properly maintained humidor is essential. Sure, you can try shortcuts like ziplock bags or plastic containers, but if you value flavor, smoothness, and long-term preservation, a high-quality humidor is the only way to go.

Why a Humidor Is Non-Negotiable for Serious Cigar Smokers

Cigars require a controlled environment to retain their flavor, aroma, and smoke quality. Let’s take a closer look at the common consequences of not using a humidor—and why investing in one makes all the difference.

1. Your Cigars Will Dry Out or Grow Mold

Cigars left out in dry or fluctuating environments will crack, split, or dry out entirely in just a day or two. In hot and humid conditions, they may also develop mold.

Think of a cigar as a living product—it needs the right balance of moisture and airflow. Inconsistent humidity, such as being stored in an air-conditioned room or under direct sunlight, will make your cigars taste like ash. And yes, cigars can go bad quickly if not stored properly.

PRO TIP: A quality humidor cabinet can preserve your cigars for 2 to 5 years with consistent humidity control.

2. Loss of Essential Oils = Loss of Flavor

A cigar’s unique flavor profile is tied to its natural oils and sugars. Without a humidor to maintain around 65–72% humidity, those oils will slowly evaporate, leaving behind a dry, bitter aftertaste.

High temperatures can also “bake” your cigars, creating a harsh, acrid smoke that ruins the entire experience.

3. Tobacco Leaves Will Absorb Too Much Moisture

Without proper humidity regulation, cigars can swell and become overly moist. This affects their burn consistency and flavor balance—a common problem that first-time smokers or cigar collectors encounter.

Each cigar is made from a blend of tobacco leaves. Excess moisture distorts this blend and dulls the complex layers of flavor you paid for. That’s why you need humidors to regulate the moisture and temperature with the help of a digital hygrometer.

4. Damp Cigars Cause Tunneling, Canoeing, and Running

When cigars are damp, all the elements are compromised. This usually makes it difficult to enjoy your cigar at all. Although damp cigars can still be salvaged, not everyone knows how to get back their original quality. 

When a cigar is burnt in its core but looks completely intact and still fresh outside, the volume of the smoke is eventually lessened, a process known as tunneling. 

There are also situations where a damp cigar’s burn is only evident on one side, which means you would have to smoke what is left of it very quickly. This is called canoeing, which also brings a pungent change in the cigar’s taste. 

Running unwraps the envelope of the cigar. This happens when the combustion of the burn is seen along the side of the cigar, which reaches down to the cigar’s foot.

5. Poorly Stored Cigars Could Double Your Risk for Respiratory Disease

Although there are lower rates of lung cancer and coronary heart disease in cigar smokers compared to cigarette smokers, it could still severely affect your respiratory health if you smoke a poorly preserved cigar, even just once. 

You may not even smoke cigars often, but when you fail to properly store your gifted cigar, the risk of smoking something even more dangerous to your lungs becomes a greater possibility.

This is exactly the case when you smoke a damp cigar wherein the molding has already set you up with a thicker smoke. It can overwhelm olfactory receptors in your nose, which will only heighten the unpleasant taste and aroma.

Since cigars are larger than cigarettes and are more than seven inches in length, they will naturally have more tobacco in them. A large cigar can have between 5 to 20 grams of tobacco and can take an hour or two to smoke. Thus, smoking a damp cigar could worsen the impact of the cigar smoke, even if you rarely smoke it.

6. Ziplock Bags Won’t Cut It Long-Term

For casual cigar smokers or even those who have just received some cigars, they usually resort to the Ziplock method. Although it’s a quick hack, it’s not a long-term one that will help preserve the Montecristo you’ve been trying to save for the holidays. 

At most, cigars stored in a Ziplock will only last 3 to 4 days and will need to be smoked as soon as possible to enjoy their quality.

Even then, the quality is not the same as when purchased and if you’re not a cigar aficionado and don’t mind the fading flavors, then so be it. However, cigar enthusiasts will tell you how even a small humidor can be a great investment for casual cigar smokers.

How Do Humidors Actually Work?

A humidor regulates humidity and temperature to maintain cigars at their peak condition. The ideal range is 65–72% RH (relative humidity) at around 68–72°F (20–22°C).

Most humidors use Spanish cedar lining to absorb and release moisture gradually. With a built-in hygrometer and humidifier, a humidor creates a microclimate that mimics tropical curing conditions, perfect for cigar preservation.

PRO TIP: Look for cigars with a slightly oily texture—that’s a good sign they’re stored at the right humidity.

How Long Do Cigars Last Without a Humidor?

• Without any storage aid: 1–3 days

• With a ziplock and humidity pack: 5–7 days

• Inside a humidor: Up to 5 years (or more with aging-specific conditions)

If you’re buying cigars in bulk or investing in high-end brands like Cohiba, Davidoff, or Montecristo, a humidor is a must.

What Kind of Humidor Should You Buy?

The key to finding the best humidor is to consider the overall performance and value for money. Although humidors are expensive, there’s no point in wasting good money on a bad humidor that can’t do its job well.  

Consider the frequency: how often do you smoke your cigars? Do you smoke once a week, or do you save them for a special occasion? This will help you determine the size of your humidor and how often you would have to keep opening and closing the humidor, which may affect quality altogether.

• Desktop Humidor

Ideal for casual smokers. Holds 25–50 cigars. Comes with Spanish cedar lining, analog/digital hygrometer, and basic humidifier.

• Humidor Cabinet

Great for collectors. Can store hundreds or thousands of cigars with multi-level storage, digital controls, and precise humidity systems.

• Travel Humidor

Perfect for vacations or business trips. Compact, shock-resistant, often leather-lined. Holds 5–15 cigars securely.

• Electric Humidor

A hassle-free option for consistent storage. Features automatic humidity control, digital readouts, and climate regulation. Great for tech-savvy aficionados.

• Walk-In Humidor

Best for serious collectors, cigar lounges, and retail shops. Custom-built to house thousands of cigars with commercial-grade humidity systems and cedar-lined interiors.

• Cigar Locker

Ideal for members of cigar lounges or clubs. Offers secure, personal storage in a shared environment. Each locker typically holds 20–100 cigars and may include nameplates and locks.

How to Know If Your Cigar Has Gone Bad

One of the first things you want to look out for is moldy cigars. If the cigar smells musty or sour, it is usually a sign of fermentation. 

Check the appearance of your cigar and look for any discoloration. If the cigar feels dry or brittle to the touch, it might not be good to smoke. 

While you’re smoking the cigar, pay attention to the draw. Good cigars will draw easily. If your cigar has a tight draw, it may have been rolled too tightly, or it could be too dry. 

Cigars stay fresh when stored in a humidor, and that’s why we recommend this so heavily. When stored properly, you never have to worry about the quality of your smoking experience

The Bottom Line: Preserve the Experience

Cigar smoking is a ritual—a luxury that deserves proper care. Whether you smoke once a week or only during celebrations, a humidor protects your investment and elevates your experience.

So if you’re on the fence, think of a humidor as your cigar’s best friend—and your best shot at preserving taste, texture, and enjoyment for years to come.

Ready to upgrade your setup? Your Elegant Bar has it all!

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Want to Go All In? Pair Your Humidor with a Smoke Eater

Not only will a humidor preserve your cigars, but a smoke eater will keep your room fresh and odor-free. It’s the perfect combination for your man cave, cigar lounge, or home office.