How to Save a Dry Cigar

Cigars that are not well kept typically dries up due to the lack of humid conditions. But first, how do you know if your cigar is too dry?

1. Your cigar is lighter than it is supposed to be
2. Your cigar feels a lot tighter than before
3. The draw is too tight in your cigar and it's not because it's rolled too tightly
4. Your cigar is stale and tastes like dirt
5. There is a crack in your cigar

You can also verify these things by pinching the cigar between your fingers. If it feels hard like a wooden stick then perhaps it might be a little too dry due to the evaporation of the natural oils in the tobacco.

If your cigar fits any of the descriptions above, then your cigar is definitely in danger. However, if your cigar meets the following criteria, then I'm afraid it might be too late and you might as well just chuck your cigar away.

1. If your cigar has a crack, then it is still fine as long as the crack doesn't reach the filler of the cigar.
2. If the oil has completely evaporated from your cigar

If not, then you are in luck and your cigar still has a fighting chance to stay alive. Keep in mind that this is going to be a long process that could take weeks and even months. Although it takes quite some time to re-hydrate your cigar, it is a process that is worth investing your time in as the altered taste of a dry cigar tastes like dirt. In some instances, the cigar may even become too tight and effect the draw of the cigar.  

Now we will get right to it. 

1. Assuming you have a table-top humidor, take out the contents.
2. Take a towel and moisten it with distilled water. Tap water is a no-go for this situation.
3. Take your moist towel and wipe the walls of the humidor clean. The point in doing this is to take precautionary steps in order to avoid potential bugs or mould.
4. With a moist towel, re-moisten the humidification part of the humidor with distilled water. Make sure it doesn't get over humidified, otherwise it'll over hydrate the cigar and cause it to expand the cigar too quickly, which would crack the wrapper of the cigar.
5. Eventually the humidor should return to the optimal 70 degree humidity equilibrium. The cigar(s) being kept inside should also return to the optimal humidity within a couple weeks or so depending of the size of the cigar's ring gauge.
6. Finally, check if your cigar has been salvaged by giving it a small, gentle squeeze between your fingers. If it is still too hard then you should continue with the process, if it is a little squishier, and plumper, then you have saved your cigar!

Hope you were able to salvage your cigar from destruction with our help. If you found this helpful maybe you can share this article with people who could benefit from it.