It’s no surprise that smoking cigars is becoming among the predominant ways men choose to relax after a long week of work. There’s really not much that compares to a fine cigar and brandy but the key to getting the most out of your cigar is keeping it fresh and to do that you have to maintain it properly stored. Humidors not only look real classy and make great accent pieces but they also keep your cigars fresh which is critical if you want a good smoke.

Cigars should be stored because they’re hygroscopic and all that means is that they adapt to the environment they are in. Proper cigar storage is critical for this reason because placing them in a dry environment will produce a dry cigar and a bad smoke. The problem with the humidity is if there is too much humidity in the air the cigars just continue to absorb it to the point where you won’t even be able to light your cigar because it has absorbed to much moisture. The right percentage of humidity in the air is essential if you want the best out of your smokes.

A good sign of a cigar that is too moist is a cigar that won’t stay lit. Another sign is a hard draw on the cigar which means you have trouble sucking the smoke out of the cigar. There are several reasons for this but the biggest cause is that the cigar filler leaves have expanded a bit and now the cigar is too tight for an easy draw.

Dry cigars just burn hot and taste bad. When cigars get dry they burn hot when you smoke them and it’s because the cigar doesn’t have the correct amount of moisture to keep the cigar burning slow. The big problem with a dry cigar is that you don’t get to taste the natural flavors of the cigar because of the extreme heat. Check out the tips below to ensure you pick up some fresh cigars that are perfect for smoking.

If you cannot afford a humidor to store your cigars in then your best bet is to only buy a few cigars which you think you’ll be able to smoke within a few days. Make sure to keep your cigars in whatever packaging you received from the cigar shop like tubes or cellophane wrapping.

For proper home storage of your cigars the best way to go is a good cigar humidor. The optimal humidity level for your cigar humidor is somewhere between 65-70% humidity. A necessity with your humidor is a hygrometer which is what you’ll use to measure the humidity level in your humidor which should be around 67%. A hygrometer measures the amount of humidity in the air. Depending on where you live it’s probably also a good idea to keep your humidor in a cool and dark place with the temperature in the mid 70’s.

Do yourself a favor… if you’re going to smoke cigars, store them properly so you can get maximum flavor and taste out of them.

If you’re a beginner to cigar smoking the very first thing you ought to do is buy a half-dozen different cigars to practice with. It’s not a good idea to buy a whole box of cigars until you have a better idea of what kind of cigars you prefer. Most cigar store owners, or tobacconists, will be more then happy to help you make your first selection and they’re much better suited then you are at this point to pick out some good cigars for a noobie.

Mild cigars are great for beginners because you get the taste of fine tobacco without the more robust tones of some of the stronger cigars. The more full-flavored, or robust, cigars may be a little too much for you at this time. Mild cigars are also typically less expensive so that’s another plus for mild cigars for beginners.

Cigars need to be inspected before you buy them so pay attention to what you can do to avoid buying bad cigars. You’re looking for fresh cigars that are rolled well. Take your prospective cigar and lightly squeeze it with your fingers and gently feel for hard or soft spots. Essentially the cigar should feel the same all around the circumference and it should have a nice, consistent firmness.

Remember while doing all of this you’re also looking to make sure the cigar is fresh so it’s a good idea to also listen and feel for any cracks on the wrapper which could indicate that it is dryer then it should be.

While looking at the wrapper of the cigar you’ll want to keep an eye out for color discolorations and cracks. Finally don’t forget that as a beginner you’re looking for a mild cigar which are lighter in color.

Cigars are extremely delicate and proper storage is critical for the best smoke possible. If you do not own a cigar humidor, you do not want to buy more cigars then you can smoke within a few days. It’s a good idea to leave the cigars in the containers in the containers you got them to keep them fresh for as long as possible.

It’s not a good idea to leave a cigar out because cigars start to dry out almost immediately. In an emergency you can always use a piece of tupperware from the kitchen. Fresh cigars always taste better so do what you can to keep them fresh.

Smoking cigars is an excellent way to relax after a long days work. Cigars are also a good way to celebrate special occasions. Happy smoking.