Views from a Smoke-Filled Room

If you think about it, cigars are just leaves.

That means they can be easily crushed or injured, sometimes just with a slight mishandling. In this day of frequent business travel and with holiday travel already upon us, here are some suggestions on how to minimize cigar "safety issues" during travel.

Get a case! But which one?

Many styles of cigar cases are available and most smokers own one or more small cases with individual "finger" slots for two or three cigars. But for business travel or to take enough cigars for a multi-day trip, you need something bigger. Consider these three:

>> In an age when high-performance ballistic nylon has become just as widely accepted as leather in luggage, how about a thick, almost indestructible case constricted from ABS plastic?

The Perfecto XLT Travel Humidor is compact, extendable, virtually crushproof and can carry up to eight cigars with an interior divider of Spanish Cedar to keep cigars separated and safe. It’s nicely styled in black and measures four inches wide and two inches thick. It telescopes from a minimum of seven inches long to 8 1/2 inches long to accommodate cigars as long as eight inches and up to 56 ring gauge.

There’s a small humidification device incorporated into the top of the box as well as a small hygrometer to give a humidity reading. And best of all, it’s only about $20 at most stores. For those who prefer to shop online, Famous Smoke Shop (http://www.famous-smoke.com www.famous-smoke.com) carries it.

>> If you prefer a leather case, one of the most elegant is the Savoy travel case offered by Holt’s of Philadelphia (www.holts.com).

This is not a simple fingered case, but a large-capacity, thickly-walled case for four, eight or ten cigars made out of solid, hard black leather. They’re hard-shell protection for your cigars and the interior is lined in Spanish Cedar wood for additional protection and to keep your cigars free of outside odors.

There’s no humidifier or hygrometer, but if you feel you have to have one, add a DryMistat tube (about $10) instead of one of your cigars and you’re all set. The three Savoy cases retail for $35 (four-cigar capacity), $48 (eight) or $55 (ten). These cases look great and given their thickness and craftsmanship, you’ll only buy one once.

>> For the man about town who wants an all-in-one case and doesn’t want to hassle with carrying a cutter and lighter in his pocket or briefcase, the Andre Garcia St. James Collection is the answer.

This is an elegant case made in India, also of hard but very high-quality leather. It telescopes to hold long cigars of eight inches or more and has room for multiple cigars, with a solid, Spanish Cedar divider.

The trick comes in the additional, zip-around compartment at the top of the case which allows additional storage for your cutter, matches and/or lighter. Everything is in one place, in one case.

Unlike the Perfecto XLT or Savoy, there is a wide choice of colors, styles and sizes of the St. James. Finishes include a Crocodile-style finish in brown or black, a smooth white leather or a smooth tan leather. Sizes available include space for six, eight, 10 or up to 12 Churchill-sized cigars.

You’ll pay for the quality, however. Prices run from $229.99 for a six-finger up to $259.99 for a 12-finger case. The line is in some stores, but is also available on-line at www.andregarciacases.com.

No matter which case you choose, keep your cigars in cellophane when placing them in one of these cases. Even a tiny sliver from the cedar linings can slice through a cigar wrapper with ease. And you’ll want to keep your cigars looking as good as these cases.

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(Rich Perelman is editor-in-chief of CigarCyclopedia.com, offering comprehensive daily coverage of cigars, accessories, issues, people and prices at www.CigarCyclopedia.com.

Rich Perelman

11/26/07

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