How Long Do Cigars Last?

Cigars can last a long time . . . if they’re cared for properly. How long do cigars last? That all depends on how they’re stored. Under the right conditions, cigars can last for years or even decades. If cigars are left out in the open, they won’t last very long — no more than a few days. 

Because cigars are natural products (they’re made out of tobacco leaves), they need to be stored in a humidor to maintain their freshness. Cigars left out of a humidor will dry up and lose many of their flavors after a few days. (A humidor is a sealed container that provides an ideal environment for storing cigars.) Dry cigars also suffer from construction issues and often don’t burn smoothly or evenly.

How Long Do Cigars Last Without Proper Storage?

Cigars are made of cured tobacco leaves. As a result, they will dry up, crack, and lose flavor much quicker than you might expect. How long are cigars good for? Outside of a humidor, cigars may be good for a few days under normal conditions. We don’t recommend taking a cigar out of a humidor for more than a few hours if you can avoid it. Though you can bring dried-out cigars “back to life” in some instances.

How Long Do Cigars Last in a Humidor

On the other hand, cigars can last for an (almost) indefinite period when stored within a humidor. The ideal conditions in a humidor are around seventy degrees Fahrenheit and seventy percent humidity. Some cigar fans prefer to store their cigars at slightly higher or lower temperatures or humidities. Regardless, if you’re near the 70/70 threshold, your cigars will probably be in good shape. For a more detailed look at keeping your cigars fresh and at ideal humidity, you can check out our blog on the subject here.

How long do cigars last in a humidor? Technically, the answer is years, decades, or even more! Some cigars have been discovered locked in humidors that are hundreds of years old. However, for the best results, most professionals recommend smoking a cigar within 10 years of purchase. After a decade or so, cigars will begin to lose some of their most potent and interesting flavors, regardless of how well they’ve been stored.

How Long Do Cigars Last in a Plastic Wrapper?

Most cigars come wrapped in a plastic cellophane covering. This plastic wrapper offers extra protection for the cigar during transportation from the factory to the retailer. But plastic wrappers are no substitute for a humidor. How long do cigars last in a plastic wrapper? Even if a cigar is wrapped in cellophane, it needs to be stored in a humidor, or it will dry up, crack, and lose flavor after a few days like any other cigar.

Cigars in Humidor: Wrapped or Unwrapped?

To cellophane or not to cellophane: that is the question?

Should cigars in a humidor be wrapped or unwrapped? As we mentioned above, most cigars come packaged in a cellophane plastic wrapper. These wrappers help protect the cigar during transit and provide some initial humidity control. Many aficionados prefer to remove the cellophane wrappers before they store cigars in a humidor. The idea here is that it will allow the cigars to acclimate to the humidor more quickly and develop more interesting flavors and aromas.

Conversely, cigars wrapped in cellophane will retain more of their original flavor. More importantly, though, individually wrapped cigars offer defense against tobacco beetles, which can spread from cigar to cigar if they’re not wrapped in cellophane.

What Factors Affect Cigar Longevity?

While cigars are natural products, they can — in theory — last decades if they’re stored in a humidor properly. In order to care for cigars over the long haul, you should ensure that your humidor is around 70% humidity and near 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, higher-quality, better-made cigars tend to last longer and age better than cheaper smokes. 

How long cigars last depends on how they’re cared for. Under the right conditions, you should be able to store and enjoy your favorite cigars for years. 

Want more articles like this? Sign up for Cigar World to see more useful guides and blogs.