Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

Gentlemen:

I bought the above humidor, and despite being very well built am concerned that the only part of it that is Spanish cedar is a thin lining about 1/4". Although the walls of the humidor are very sturdy and about 3/4" thick, why else would they line its inner surfaces with the thin strip of Spanish cedar if they themselves were Spanish cedar.

The specs for the humidor state:

Cigar Capacity: 175 Cigars
Spanish Cedar lined
Cigar Humidifier
Analog Hygrometer
Airflow Grate

If only the lining is Spanish cedar, I fear that the humidity stabilization that Spanish cedar affords will be compromised, and the enclosure will be less effective in maintaining the proper humidity.

What say you?

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

My coolerdor doesn't have any cedar lining and it maintains 65% rock steady. I wouldn't worry about the cedar lining in your box being a bit thin (a quarter inch isn't really that thin); the proper amount of beads will control humidity just fine.

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

x2 with Darren, the cedar will help the sticks age, but as far a humidity goes beads should do the trick just fine so long as the humidor has a good seal...

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

Hey Darren and Rob,

Thanks for the quick answer; of course beads can maintain humidity. Why didn't I think of that?

Rob, you mentioned that aging is fostered by Spanish cedar, but in what way?

Thanks! Mike

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

hahaha... well, depending on who you ask it either is or it isn't.

In my humble experience, on my less than expert taste buds, I feel that the Spanish cedar imparts a subtle flavor note to the sticks as they age... This being more noticeable after the sticks have spent many months to a couple of years in the humi...

The actual reason cedar is used is because insects hate it. the reason SPANISH cedar is used is because it does not impart such a strong woody flavor....

As for your concerns about the thickness of your Spanish cedar, If it is actually a 1/4" thick then that is GREAT! I had a humidor built for me and went the extra mile to get 3/8" spanish cedar to line mine (cost a small fortune because of the retailer I got it from, lesson learned)...

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

I've been reading on CA and elsewhere, and as the lining indeed measures 1/4", it seems I'm good to go. The lid however is not lined, but that doesn't seem critical.

The only thing I read about Spanish cedar fostering aging is that aged cigars acquire a woody note that some favor. But as regards proper aging, the ongoing fermentation of the organic material we call tobacco, it would seem irrelevant. Aging is inherent to tobacco, and it requires water, which is properly maintained through beads or some other humidifying agent. Aging so defined is not a function of the aromatic Spanish cedar.

Once again CA has the answers brought to me through the goodness of spirit of its members. I appreciate this very much! Mike

Re: Mardi Gras Bourbon St 175 Humidor - Spanish Cedar Lined
 

You're more on point with this, Mike.
Spanish cedar does not help the sticks age.