Track cigar culture and the popularity of the cigar over the last century, and you’ll see that we’re in the midst of some kind of modern-day "stogie enlightenment period." Quality, creativity, accessibility, global connectivity, and technology all play prevalent rolls in the cigar industry of today.
Needless to say, things are looking good for cigar enthusiasts. We’re more informed, inquisiti
But to better understand how good we have it, we should probably discuss the fundamental moments that’s led us to this point, specifically, the evolution of cigar humidors. For while the technology that fuels the modern humidor is increasingly crucial, understanding the roots of this core cigar cigar accessory is equally important.
Types d'humidificateurs dans l'histoire
As cigars grew in popularity in the United States and Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries, the development of the humidor became all too apparent. In order to build interest in maintaining a quality cigar collection, both on a commercial level as well as from a consumer standpoint, the market needed a product of some sort.
Eventually, various humidors slowly but surely trickled onto the market in different forms, allowing both retailers and smokers the ability to safely store their cigars in a closed environment. Here are a few of the most prominent humidor designs in history that revolutionized cigar storage.
Humidificateurs en armoire
Some of the earliest models of humidors were of the cabinet variety, replicating the curing barns of South America. The earliest recorded humidor was constructed in the late 19th century by an Irish furniture maker by the name of Terence Manning, who constructed a cabinet-style box for storing cigars. Made from exotic wood imported from South Africa, this grandfather to the modern humidor transformed Manning's business focus, with the Manning name eventually becoming synonymous with high end cabinet humidors.
Now, as for where Cèdre espagnol fits into all of this, that can be traced all the way back to the curing barns of yesteryear, which were often made of this resilient, highly aromatic material. Naturally, it didn't take humidor manufacturers long to realize that this kind of wood also worked well in their products.
As a selectively permeable substance, Spanish cedar excels at maintaining proper internal humidity levels, thus aiding in both long and short-term cigar storage. And while humidors have gone on to be crafted with an array of different materials over the years, Spanish cedar remains the preferred material for lining cigar boxes and humidors alike.
Humidificateurs de bureau
Zino Davidoff is widely championed as the inventor of the desktop humidor. His father was a tobacco merchant, giving young Zino Davidoff an appreciation for quality cigars from an early
Davidoff humidors also achieved widespread respect due to his uniquely crafted aesthetic, with the design being just as much of a focal point as the product's humidification purposes. While cigar smoking has always been associated with a certain styles, Davidoff is responsible for setting the bar for classic, well-designed humidors.
To this day, the desktop humidor remains a cornerstone accessory of cigar enthusiasts around the world. These smaller humidors, with their 10-100 stick capacity levels, were a game changer for the cigar industry, giving smokers an affordable, intuitive way to store cigars pretty much anywhere.
For more on this subject, be sure to check out our deep dive on desktop humidors, and learn why sometimes smaller truly is better.
Humidificateurs portables
While traveling with a clay pot full of stogies, or a small, hinged locking cigar box was always an option, it wasn't until 1998 that a cat by the name of G. Gerry Schmidt of Newport Beach, California, patented the first known portable humidor. Featuring a telescopic design and humidification elements on the top and bottom of the case, this now outdated design revolutionized the cigar smoking world.
Nowadays, portable humidors and étuis à cigares de voyage feature integrated humidification trays or pockets for humidity packs. This allows the traveler to take their cigars with them anywhere they wish, while still keeping them properly humidified. From a few sticks in a carrying case, to a couple dozen smokes in a repurposed 30 Cal Ammo Can, weekend getaways and business trips have never been better.
--------------------------------------
Humidificateurs modernes
As for modern humidors, they tend to be just as technologically advanced as they are aesthetically alluring. The materials being used have also grown increasingly diverse, with everything from sleek and luxurious, to rugged and waterproof being an option.
Technologie
Modern humidors continue to evolve, but some of the most important elements remain the same. Quality craftsmanship, Spanish cedar linings, a good seal, and an efficient humidification system are just as important in humidors today as they were with earlier models.
The modern man's travel humidor is now being made with materials like ballistic nylon and waterproof zippers, which you will find on products like our Flint humidor travel bag. Outdoor enthusiasts are also taking full advantage of products like the aforementioned Smoke Can, which features a bulletproof military shell, magnetized accessory pouches, and shelved Spanish cedar internals.
Back at the homestead, new developments like the upright Fridgador allow cigar owners to control not only the humidity, but temperature and air circulation as well. The advent of digital smart hygrometers like the Klaro Valet make it even easier to check humidification levels, as this can now be done remotely with any kind of connected device. Smart hygrometers also allow you to catalog your cache and keep tabs on temperature and humidity fluctuations over days, weeks, and even months.
And then there is the whole luxury line of humidors, which features some of the most advanced cigar tech on the planet, and materials fit for royalty. While they may not be suitable for the average cigar smoker, these ultra high-end models are tailer-made for cigar lounges and elite smokers alike.
Bouffées d'adieu
Aujourd'hui, les amateurs de cigares dépensent généralement plus que jamais pour des cigares de qualité supérieure. À l'instar du marché des alcools haut de gamme, il est de plus en plus fréquent que les propriétaires de maisons investissent dans leur propre collection de cigares haut de gamme.
Et, de ce fait, ils investissent également davantage dans des humidificateurs de haute qualité. Ou, dans certains cas, dans des humidors de grand volume, comme les humidors de type armoire ou walk-in. Il n'est pas rare aujourd'hui qu'un ménage privé construise des caves à cigares de type walk-in capables de contenir des milliers de cigares.
Bien qu'il existe certaines normes recommandées pour les humidificateurs modernes, comme le cèdre espagnol, des variations sont apparues au fil des ans, les matériaux et la conception variant pour créer des options plus abordables.
For example, acrylic humidors are now a thing, with some featuring Spanish cedar inlays to maintain humidification levels. Other humidor travel cases are designed to handle depressurization that occurs during flight when the humidor is stored in the aircraft bay rather than the cabin. The market continues to evolve and bring about new types of humidors, variations on designs, and approaches to aesthetics.
