If you’re anything like us, you just can’t stand to miss a prime opportunity for a cigar. But what if you’re traveling, and not within arm’s reach of your humidor? Whether you’re heading on vacation, for work, or just heading out for a night on the town, a lot of us like to have cigars handy in case the need arises (and we all hope it will!). Now, we’re assuming that your prized sticks aren’t stashed in your coat pocket, or tossed in with your toiletries buried in your suitcase. If that sounds like you…don’t fear! Here are some tips for traveling with cigars in tow.
The Night on the Town
So, you’re heading out for the night – maybe dinner, drinks, and some entertainment – and you want to bring your favorite Robusto for a nice smoke in-between spots. No problem! There are a few different ways to handle this one. If it’s just you who’ll be enjoying a cigar, opt for a single cigar case. With the ability to hold one cigar, these are lightweight, slim, and can easily slide into a coat pocket discreetly – perfect for when you’re going to be bouncing from spot to spot. Pay attention to the size restrictions – most will have a maximum ring size and length that can be accommodated. Most are crush-proof and will protect your cargo from being damaged if Murphy strikes.
The Weekend Getaway
Just booked a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains? Sounds like a few cigars may be on the packing list. Don’t even think about stuffing a few sticks into the side pocket of your duffel bag and crossing your fingers. Instead, opt for a travel humidor – a hard-sided case specially made for traveling with cigars. A basic travel humidor typically holds around five Churchill cigars and features a mini-humidifier to keep them moist along the way. If you’re into big ring cigars, your capacity may be reduced by one or two – just something to keep in mind. There are a variety of brands out there, but Herf-a-Dor seems to be the king.
The Long Trip
Heading for a week-long business trip, and need to pack for yourself and a few colleagues? Maybe an extended vacation? Bringing a humidor full of cigars would be ideal, but isn’t quite feasible. Fortunately for us, they make travel humidors in ‘extended stay’ sizes – from 10, 20, even 30 cigars. Keep in mind that the more cigars you have, the more humidity you’ll need. Why limit yourself, right?
Budget Alternatives
On a serious budget, but still, want to take a few cigars along with you? A largemouth water bottle with a humidification pack will do the trick. A plastic food storage bin with a damp paper towel will make a decent cigar humidifier, too. Not as exact of a science, and certainly not as fancy, but it will get the job done just the same.
Traveler’s Tip: If you’re going to be on an airplane, cigar cutters and punches are usually okay in your carry-on and checked luggage. Even so, don’t bring your best equipment, just in case. Your favorite butane torch, however, needs to stay at home – they’re not allowed on the plane, period.
photo credit: Cigar Life Guy