Do Cigars Go Bad? Signs, Causes & Storage Tips

You may have asked yourself the question – do cigars go bad? Or even do cigars expire?

While cigars don’t have an expiry date, they can go bad if they are not stored properly. This has a negative impact on their flavor, aroma, and your overall smoking experience.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the signs that your cigars may have gone bad. We’ll also reveal the main causes for this, and give you some top cigar storage tips.

How to Tell if a Cigar is Bad

Can cigars go bad? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. There are many signs that a cigar has gone bad, including its texture, smell, or discoloring on the wrapper. These issues are usually accelerated by improper storage. Here’s how to tell if a cigar is bad:

• Pinch test: Gently squeeze the cigar with your fingers. If it has a slight bounce but feels firm, it is fine to smoke. Too hard and it will crackle when squeezed. Too moist and it will feel soft and spongy. In that case, don’t smoke!
• Mold growth: Excessive moisture and humidity can cause mold to develop on the cigar. If you see a fuzzy, green/blue coloring on the cigar wrapper, it should be thrown away.
• The smell: A bad cigar will have a distinctive musty odor, unlike that of regular tobacco.
• The taste: When a cigar goes bad, its essential oils and sugars degrade, leading to an unpleasant taste. The taste can range from metallic to bitter.
• The texture: When a cigar has dried out, it will become firm and brittle. When it is too moist, it will feel soft.
• Uneven or harsh burn: If a cigar has gone bad, it won’t burn as expected. Dry cigars tend to burn too quickly, creating a harsh draw. Overly humidified cigars will burn unevenly.
• Cracked or peeling wrapper: A cracked wrapper will disrupt the burn of the cigar, leading to a poor smoking experience. This can be a result of the cigar becoming too dry, or having been mishandled.
• Discoloration: If you notice blue/green mold on the cigar, it should be thrown out. However, if you see a white powdery substance on the cigar wrapper, it is a sign of good aging and will be fine to smoke.

What Causes Cigars to Go Bad?

There are a few potential reasons for cigars going bad. These range from humidity, temperature and sunlight exposure to mishandling and improper storage:

Improper Humidity Levels

Maintaining the correct humidity levels when storing your cigars is vital. Cigars are hygroscopic, meaning they readily absorb and release moisture.

The ideal humidity level for short-term cigar storage falls between 65-72%. If you want to store your cigars for a long time, these numbers can be loosened to 62-75%. In short, if you keep humidity levels at 70%, your cigars will remain fresh.

What happens if humidity levels are too low?

Ever asked “do cigars go stale?” – here’s your answer. If humidity levels fall below minimum levels, your cigars will dry out. This will cause them to burn too quickly, creating a bitter, unpleasant taste. If your cigars have dried out, there is the possibility to rehydrate them.

Here are your options:

• Place the cigars in a humidor with the correct humidity levels
• Place the cigar in an airtight seal alongside a Bovedo humidity pack
• Wrap the cigar box in a damp towel and leave it for a few days

What happens if humidity levels are too high?

Can a cigar go bad if humidity levels are too high? Absolutely – it can cause your cigar to become too moist. This will make it hard to draw smoke through and could lead to an uneven burn. To reduce the moisture in a cigar, leave it in a dark, dry environment for a few days. This can be a cupboard or a dry cigar box.

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations

Cigars should be stored in an environment with a consistent temperature of 65-70°F.

If the temperature climbs too high, you run the risk of drying the cigar out. This will evaporate the cigar’s essential oils, creating an unpleasant taste.

If the temperature rises over 70°F, it can trigger the hatching of undetected cigar beetle eggs. Cigar beetles thrive in warm, humid conditions and can destroy an entire box of cigars with ease.

If the environment is too cold, the cigar wrapper can become brittle and split. You’ll also risk the cigar becoming too moist, making it difficult to create a strong draw.

Direct Sunlight Exposure

Extended exposure to sunlight can cause a cigar to dry out. This will create a bitter taste as the cigar’s essential oils evaporate. To avoid this risk, always store your cigars in a dark area, preferably a humidor.

Mishandling

Cigars are more delicate than they appear, and should always be handled with care. If not, you risk damaging the wrapper and the structural integrity of the cigar.

A rip or tear in the cigar wrapper will affect the draw and taste of the cigar. It can even cause it to fall apart in your hands while smoking.

Lack of Proper Storage

Failing to store your cigars properly will lead to premature degradation in quality. To remain fresh, cigars need to be kept out of light at the right temperature and humidity. If insufficient care is taken during storage, the cigars can go bad in a matter of days.

How to Store Cigars and Keep Them Fresh

Storing cigars properly requires care and attention to detail. Here’s how you can keep your cigars fresher for longer:

• Use a humidor: A humidor will store your cigars at the optimum temperature and humidity levels. For any regular smoker, a humidor is a must-have accessory.
• Maintain 65-72% humidity: Keeping a consistent humidity level of 65-72% is vital. Any more or less and you risk your cigars drying out or becoming too moist.
• Keep the temperature at 65-70°F: Temperature works in a similar way to humidity when storing cigars. Too cold and your cigar will become moist. Too warm and it will dry out, ruining your smoking experience.
• Store in a resealable bag: Resealable bags offer a reasonable temporary storage option. This will lock air out, helping to maintain freshness when transporting the cigars.
• Rotate cigars in the humidor: Rotate the cigars in the humidor every three months. This will ensure even humidity distribution, preventing moisture imbalances in the cigar.
• Use distilled water for humidification: Distilled water is free of bacteria and impurities. This makes it ideal for cigar humidification. It won’t leave residue, promote mold growth, or affect the taste of the cigar.
• Keep away from strong odors: As well as absorbing moisture, cigars can also absorb odors. Storing cigars around strong odors can negatively impact their taste.
• Separate flavored and non-flavored cigars: Non-flavored cigars can be contaminated by the flavor of flavored cigars. This will affect the taste of the cigar, dampening your experience.
• Use airtight travel cases: Using airtight travel cases when transporting cigars will help maintain freshness. They will maintain humidity, protect against damage, prevent contamination, and control moisture.

Buy Quality, Not Cheap Imitations

Do cigars go bad? Absolutely – and buying cheap can increase the risk of poor storage.

It may be tempting to save a bit of money buying cheap imitation cigars. However, it will harm the quality of your smoking experience. Counterfeit cigars are made with poor-quality tobacco, and tend to be poorly stored.

This leaves no guarantee that the product delivered to your door will even be usable. Imitation cigars also tend to be infused with toxic materials that put you at risk of illness.

At Swiss Cuban Cigars, quality is non-negotiable. We only stock authentic Cuban cigars. We pride ourselves in proper storage, ensuring that every cigar is up to the highest standard.

Browse our selection today to find your next smoke.

FAQs

Do cigars go bad if sealed?

Even if a cigar is sealed, it will still go bad. Sealed cigars tend to stay fresh for around six weeks if they aren’t stored properly. This is a slightly longer life expectancy than an unsealed cigar.

When should I throw away my cigar?

You should throw your cigar away if you can see signs of mold, or if it begins to smell musty. You should also throw cigars that have been stored in poor environments. They are likely to have become too dry.

Can a bad cigar make you sick?

A bad cigar can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness. If you smoke a moldy cigar, you may experience irritation in the eyes, nose, skin, and throat.

Can I smoke an old cigar?

You can smoke an old cigar, providing it has been stored properly in the correct humidity. If not, it may become moldy or dry, which will affect its taste and cause discomfort.

How long does it take for cigars to go bad?

Cigars can go bad within a week without the right sealing and storage.

Can cigars expire?

Cigars don’t have an expiry date, per se. However, improper storage can negatively affect their flavor and aroma.