‘We build the castle’ for Cuban cigars, say humidor makers at trade fair in Havana
Meticulously carved Cuban cigar boxes, designed to keep their contents fresh, have become objects of attention in their own right
Cuba’s legendary cigars, hand-rolled from the finest tobacco leaves, have long captivated connoisseurs. Now a growing number of enthusiasts recognise the importance of humidors, those meticulously crafted boxes that help preserve their quality and longevity.
More than mere containers, humidors, some true works of art in wood, regulate humidity and temperature, and can cost thousands of dollars.
“Other countries produce humidors, but we create them with passion, just like in the old days,” said Adrián Morán Lipis, of Humidores Clave, one of several workshops showing off their creations at Cuba’s annual cigar trade fair last week in the capital, Havana.
Humidor prices range from US$200 for basic 25-cigar models to thousands of dollars for exclusive pieces. Humidores Clave, for example, showcased a carved black-and-white humidor valued at US$2,000.
Last year’s festival gala featured a humidor auction – with their respective cigars – that raised a staggering US$19.3 million.