Long Term Cigar Preservation ??

[Bowtech4ever]

Seeking input on long term storage / preservation methods for cigars. I am seriously thinking about bedding down some CC & NC that respond well to long term aging. If TSHTF, then they will be more meaningful, good barter, or in the most likely scenario....allow me a couple really good smokes with a couple fingers of whiskey while I watch the fireworks.

Seriously.....how would you Bums go about....let's say a 10 year or longer program? What would you use as a humidor, humidification, where (underground?), shelves, racks, boxes, etc.? Is a "Fire & Forget" method even possible?

[jhedrick83]

Honestly, I would go with a wineador. You get a great seal and temperature control. Steady RH+steady temps=care free aging. You could use coolers, but if you are looking at long term aging, IMO, it's worth the extra $ to have the temp control. Also, I use wireless hygrometers. Love the convenience of them.

I'd just buy boxes, open to inspect the cigars and throw the boxes in as is. If you are buying singles then I would get some good quality drawers. For humidification I would get 2-3 times the HCM or HF beads the calculators say just to make it as worry free as possible.

[Dreadedtrash]

I have no idea but while I was reading your question this popped in my head.

What if you were to use a food saver to vacuum seal, say a box at a time, and leave a little air in there with a boveda pack? If they really are air tight then you won't lose any humidity. The Boveda would get the cigars to the RH that you want and keep them there. I imagine that 1 pack would last for years.

Again I have never even thought about this and would like to hear some other thoughts on this.

[Dreadedtrash]

You would obviously still have to worry about temperature. I would think that storing them in a basement would make sure that they don't get too warm in the summer months.

[HabanoMan]

Everything I have in long term storage is opened upon arrival then the box is wrapped in Saran Wrap. I believe in letting them "stew in their own brew". I use coolers as it is more economical and the seal is great. Some people like to do a bit of air exchange from time to time so if you prefer that then I would just close the box back up and store as usual. A lot of serious cigar collectors also keep the humidity in the 55 - 60 range. That will be up to preference.

[CamoSutra]

Scott, ten years or more? Depending on what you're planning on putting away, they may have passed their peak by that time. Maybe you should plan on getting into them after three to five years, replacing with newer ones as necessary to keep plenty on hand for the next sharknado ... or whatever.

Same with the whiskey; it doesn't really age more once it comes out of the barrel. Might as well use and replenish, along with the cigars. Think of it as "rotating the stock" -- and checking to make sure it's still good, of course. I'd hate to think zombies (or neighbors) got into the bunker/time capsule when you weren't looking.

[Bowtech4ever]

Scott, ten years or more? Depending on what you're planning on putting away, they may have passed their peak by that time. Maybe you should plan on getting into them after three to five years, replacing with newer ones as necessary to keep plenty on hand for the next sharknado ... or whatever.

Same with the whiskey; it doesn't really age more once it comes out of the barrel. Might as well use and replenish, along with the cigars. Think of it as "rotating the stock" -- and checking to make sure it's still good, of course. I'd hate to think zombies (or neighbors) got into the bunker/time capsule when you weren't looking.

That's ridiculous, everybody knows zombies don't smoke & I've seen two sharknadoes...not skeered there either. Whiskey keeps its integrity though, if sealed...right? I just bought a commercial vacuum sealer, and was thinking they could be sealed after a period of time at 65%. Not a doomsday guy at all, but serious about the "Fire & Forget" option. You mentioned "time capsule", yeah more on that order. No worries about neighbs getting into it. Plenty of claymores & punji pits to keep that from ever happening...JK. But is 3-5 years about the max you can rest one, even a CC, without it hitting the point of diminishing quality? I value the input, and it will keep me from just ruining good sticks, if it is not possible. Was seriously thinking that total oxygen depravation after they were stabilized at a lower fixed temperature could have possibilities.

[Ropey]

Bury 'em

[HabanoMan]

Cuban cigars will be fine at 10 years. Some non-Cuban cigars will be fine at that age. I have some clear Havanas that are 55+ years old and are still tasty cigars. As long as they are stored properly they will be fine.

[Bowtech4ever]

I have no idea but while I was reading your question this popped in my head.

What if you were to use a food saver to vacuum seal, say a box at a time, and leave a little air in there with a boveda pack? If they really are air tight then you won't lose any humidity. The Boveda would get the cigars to the RH that you want and keep them there. I imagine that 1 pack would last for years.

Again I have never even thought about this and would like to hear some other thoughts on this.

Yeah, that's where I'm going with this, not huddled underground in a bunker, all pasty white, with a 5 foot beard. If I vacuum sealed (and I have a good one) at a certain RH, & they were kept at a constant temp, could they be preserved, and if so, would the maturation process continue, or go into stasis?