Does it always have to be Spanish cedar?
Primarily three types of wood are used for the humidor’s interior lining:
- Spanish cedar (by far the most popular)
- American (or Canadian) red cedar
- Honduran mahogany
Spanish cedar offers the following advantages (botanical term “cedrela odorata”):
- Protection from tobacco worms - through the cedar’s special odoriferous quality
- High humidity absorption capacity - this ensures that a stable climate will be maintained inside the humidor and mold is prevented
- Supports the cigar aging process
- Positive effect on the flavor of the cigars
Spanish cedar does not originate from Spain as one might assume but is generally imported from Brazil and other countries of South and Central America. In some individual cases resin may form on the surface of the wood (See also
humidor is secreting/resin). The risk of resin formation can be substantially reduced by previously drying the wood carefully.
American red cedar is inferior to Spanish cedar in humidity absorption and it exudes a more intense aroma. Some humidor manufacturers use American cedar because it is less expensive and with this wood there is no danger of resin formation. Particularly when storing cigars for longer periods the cigars will adopt a strong woody flavor that is generally not desired.
Honduran mahogany has a humidity absorption rate comparable to that of Spanish cedar and at the same time has a less intense odor. Thus, unfortunately, the deterrent effect on worms and the desired flavoring of cigars is also not as good as with Spanish cedar.
The veneer of the interior wood should be untreated.
For long-term cigar storage those humidors should be preferred, which are lined with Spanish cedar. For cabinet humidors other woods with high humidity absorption capacity can also be used because in cabinet humidors the cigars are generally stored in their original Spanish cedar boxes. A tray made of Spanish cedar is recommendable for storing individual cigars in cabinet humidors.
All adorini humidors are made exclusively with an interior lining of Spanish cedar.
