"...to preserve and renew is almost as noble as to create."

                     Voltaire

Gerardo Balmaceda joined West Wind Hardwood in January 2006.  His focus is to expand our custom flooring market both internationally and domestically. Gerardo completed his education in Engineering and MBA in Lima, Peru. He came to Victoria after spending some time in Calgary where he arrived directly from Peru on January 2004. He enjoys working in a team environment and is always willing to share ideas and learn from others. He is a bit of an engineer, a bit of a business and marketing person and a bit of a dreamer. Canada and Peru have almost the same flag that may say something to me. 

¡¡Hola!!  

It’s a hot, lazy evening.  That summer purple twilight has tinted the horizon, the gardens are watered and you’re ready to sit back and smoke that cigar you brother brought back from Cuba.  Alas, that was four months ago, and it is now dry and crisp as a cinder.  What went wrong?  Perhaps it’s time to build a humidor?

Maintaining proper humidity is probably the single most important factor to control when storing cigars.   There is a wealth of information on the “net” and everyone has an opinion.  From homegrown plastic containers to elaborate professional humidors to one of your own design and creation, the right climatic condition is the key.  While a professional model is certainly desirable, many find homemade versions to be quite effective while also allowing for the creative design process. 

If you are reading this article you are thinking of taking a step away from the zip-loc baggie or plastic container option.  Any wood can be used for decorative purposes on the exterior, but Spanish cedar is what you want for the interior.  Originally Cuban cedar was used.  Why?  Cuba led the way in the cigar industry. Early in the 16th century, Cuban peasants became tobacco growers. Later, the cigar became the country's national symbol and the Havana cigar became recognized as the world's finest.  It was a fundamental question of supply and demand, and what was close at hand.  Unfortunately Cuban cedar is obsolete in today’s market.  Spanish cedar is on the CITES list of endangered wood species.  These are the same regulations that govern your inability to bring home the adorable orang-utan from Borneo or the lovelly black coral necklace from Mexico on a holiday whim.  Check out CITES (Convention on International Trade for Endangered Species) at http://www.cites.org/. 

CITES is an international agreement between Governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.  Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries, the effort to regulate it requires international cooperation to safeguard certain species from over-exploitation. CITES was conceived in the spirit of such cooperation.  The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.  Spanish Cedar is governed under the regulations of Appendix III.  Each party involved in the trade of this species must adhere to these strict regulations and provide supporting documentation.  

What were the characteristics that made Cuban and Spanish cedar desirable? 

v      Protection from tobacco worms through the cedar's special odoriferous quality. 

v      High humidity absorption capacity ensuring a stable climate. 

v      Supports the cigar aging process.

v      Positive effect on the flavour of the cigars. 

Also used, as substitutes for Spanish cedar, are Honduras mahogany (a species governed by CITES) and Western red cedar.

Although Spanish cedar stains and finishes well, its innate oils can sometimes be a problem in finishing.   In most humidor applications the wood can be left unfinished allowing the wood's natural oils to add flavour to the cigars.  The resin is very sticky and can usually only be removed with acetone or alcohol.  The locations where the resin appeared should be treated with fine-grained sandpaper. This cleaning process may need to be repeated 2-3 times.  The sticky resin does not impair the quality of the cigars, however, it may damage the outside cigar leaves if the cigars come into direct contact with the resin.  After the use of cleaning agents the humidor must be thoroughly ventilated before cigars are placed back into the humidor.