Locked-in Humidity Pouches: How Do They Work?

Many factors can affect the cigar-smoking experience. From the age and quality of the cigar to the setting to the drink pairing you choose — various elements can influence your enjoyment (or lack thereof) of any given smoke. Few things, though, are as crucial to cigar quality as proper humidification. Since cigars are natural products made out of tobacco leaves, preventing them from drying out is essential to ensuring a pleasant smoking experience.

Today, we’ll focus on locked-in humidity pouches and explain how they work and what you can expect from cigars sold in re-sealable pouches. 

Humidification Re-Fresh

First, let’s quickly review cigar humidifcation. If you’re new to the category, you should know that cigars should be stored in a dry, sealed environment with a humidity of around 70% and at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (with some variance allowed for different climates and personal preferences). Cigars left outside of a controlled setting will usually only remain in optimal smoking condition for a day or so. However, cigars kept under proper humidification can stay in good condition for decades (potentially). 

Humidification Pouches 101

For most cigar smokers, a personal humidor is ideal for storing cigars. With a personal humidor, you can control the humidity levels, monitor your cigars, and store many cigars (from 25 on the small end to several hundred in cabinet humidors). 

Locked-in humidity pouches work in much the same way as a humidor. The best of these pouches have an air-tight seal and a humidification pack (to maintain proper humidity levels). You should be able to open and re-seal one of these pouches and store any leftover cigars for around 90 days (a few months). 

Locked-in humidity pouches are often used as cigar sampler packs. They’re ideal for taking on trips, storing extra cigars if your humidor is full, and gifting to a friend who may not have a dedicated humidor at home. You should not expect the quality of cigars sold in locked-in humidity pouches to differ from cigars sold in boxes or any other type of packaging. 

Final Thoughts

Cigars sold in locked-in humidity pouches should be good to go right from the store, and they should have a shelf-life in the pouch of a few months. Before you smoke any cigar, though, it’s a good idea to check it for any tell-tale signs of humidification issues. If, for instance, the cigar is very soft and spongy to the touch, then it is possibly over-humidified and may need a few hours outside of the humidor to dry out. On the other hand, cigars that appear faded and dull or that have a peeling or cracked wrapper leaf are probably under-humidified. In moderate cases, it is possible to restore under-humidified cigars by placing them in a properly humidified environment for a few weeks. 

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