The Phantom is a mysterious lighter that offers the slim and easy convenience of carrying that single torch flame lighters provide with the efficiency given by double torch flame lighters all in one wonderful package.

There is a somewhat common occurrence in the world of premium cigars, and it often sends an unknowing owner into a panic. The way it pans out is that they usually open their humidor, and in the midst of reaching for a smoke they notice that a batch of cigars appear to have accumulated a noticeable “dust” on their surface. Is it mold? Did the cigars begin to rot in the humidity? No, actually this dust is known as cigar bloom and it is a very good sign that conditions in the box are ideal.

Cigar bloom is actually the visible appearance of the oils in the cigar, which usually happens only after the oils have been kept at a very sustained level for a lengthy period of time. This is something often found on aged or vintage stogies and is a highly desirable result. In fact, many enthusiasts prefer to smoke cigars with plume or bloom on their surface.

Had it actually been mold, the looks of the surface would have been noticeably different and rather than a generally dusty appearance, the surface of the cigar would have splotches of blue or grey discoloration. Though there are some ways to cure this, it is best to prevent it altogether by keeping a very constant eye on the level of humidity inside the box. It is also important to remember that a cigar that develops mold has probably also left spores behind in the box as well, and all possible steps to kill this mold without harming the box should be taken.

Why do cigars develop this bloom? Cigars are made from organic materials, mainly tobacco, and this is a substance that contains volatile oils. When the oils receive a regular level of humidity and air they can evenly disperse throughout the cigar, and when they reach the surface of the outer wrapping they crystallize and provide that overall dusty appearance.

Other than the viewable dust or powder, does bloom have any other effects on a cigar? Most experts agree that the bloom itself has no detectable taste, nor does it change the bouquet of the unlit cigar. What most do agree upon is that it provides visible evidence that the cigar has been aged properly and under the finest conditions possible. Remembering that most people age cigars in order mellow or enhance the flavors of the tobacco means that bloom can be used as a clear sign that a cigar is ripe for the sampling.

Has a nice weight and holds a good amount of fuel. Features a double flame torch, built in punch cigar cutter, refill valve and flame adjustment knob.

If you are in the market for a cigar humidor you are going to have a seemingly endless array of options. You will quickly find boxes of all sizes, and you can even find travel boxes and furniture-style choices too. There are a few things to remember when selecting them however, and these can easily make the difference between success and failure.

A major issue of concern with humidors is the type of wood used to line their interiors. The only realistic option is cedar, and this is for several major reasons. Firstly, cedar is a very aromatic wood that enhances the natural flavors of almost any cigar. Secondly, it is an extremely porous wood that allows the interior of the box to attain a very balanced level of humidity. Lastly, it is a wood that is not prone to the development of mold or mildew, which can often lead to the loss of an entire selection of cigars.

The next area of concern is the way in which the owner can monitor conditions inside of the box. For example, many small desktop models are constructed entirely of wood and do not allow the owner to have a view of the contents inside. These are ideal humidors for short-term storage because they would ask the owner hoping to age their cigars to constantly open and close the box to read the hygrometer (humidity gauge) which would cause destructive fluctuations inside. This means that a major characteristic of a good humidor is that it should provide a good way to check conditions inside without needing to also open the box to do so.

Does this mean that a solid wood box is not a good option? No, it means that anyone aging premium cigars should do so only in those boxes that allow an easy view of the gauge.  A solid box is a great solution for a small collection of cigars that will be smoked in a short period of time after being placed inside, or for those enthusiasts who will keep a high-quality supply within easy reach. The thing to remember is that such boxes shouldn’t be positioned in direct sunlight or anywhere the ambient temperature will fluctuate wildly.

A last factor to consider where humidors are concerned is their exteriors, and these must be easily maintained and have a good finish. This finish is going to help the cedar lining to maintain the optimal conditions inside, and allow the owner to keep the box looking its very best.

This lighter features a slim profile and single action ignition system. Includes a fluid window, refill valve and flame adjustment knob.

Are you interested in cigars? If so, you probably already know about the many different accessories and items needed to pursue your interest. For example, you know that you will need special clippers, a good and reliable lighter with a controllable flame length, and at least one cigar humidor. The humidor is going to provide your premium smokes with an ideal home, but only if you make sure of this yourself. This is one of the most common misperceptions about humidors – that they are purchased in the “ready-made” condition.

While you can reasonably expect to never put one of these lovely cigar boxes together on your own, you will have to prepare it properly for the best storage results. Let’s first consider humidors and cigars and the materials from which they are made. Both the lining of the boxes and the cigars themselves are constructed of materials that lose and absorb moisture, both materials are also sensitive to temperatures, and will readily absorb scents and aromas from nearby objects.

What does all of this mean to the cigar enthusiast? It means that you will not need to assemble the humidor, but you will need to consider how it is prepared. First you will have to install the hygrometer and the humidifier and perform a re-humidifying process. Even if you bought a box advertised as pre-seasoned, you can never guarantee that the wood lining is at the right humidity level. This can lead to a constant struggle for balance because the cigars and the wood are competing for all available humidity. Instead, you can make sure the wood is properly humidified and then add the cigars.

The hygrometer should be placed in the box and left for at least six hours to determine what the current conditions inside of the box are. If you have only just purchased the gauge you must calibrate it and then allow it to remain in the box for up to a week in order to stabilize it properly.

It is vitally important that the humidifier and the hygrometer are installed in the right ways, and this translates to calibrating the hygrometer before putting it in the box, and making sure that the humidifier is properly secured and contains the right mixture of water and PG. The standard humidifier will need to be secured using the plate and glue that came with it. Do not substitute any sort of fixative for this glue because the strong odors from most commercial solutions will actually cause the wood and the cigars to absorb the strong chemical smells and make both unusable.

Comes in an attractive gift box along with a refill and flame adjustment tool. Holds quite a bit of fuel in a visable fuel tank. Great weight with two strong butane flames.

When someone purchases a humidor they tend to focus first on its good looks and how it might fit into their existing style of décor. If they already own several humidors they might want to purchase them in coordinating or matching styles. Additionally, they might consider the size and special features such as several trays and areas for humidifiers. What they might next consider is the manner in which the box closes, for example, there are many styles that close with a nice strong magnetic clasp to ensure that no air escapes or humidity leaves the container.

There are several other key factors that most people tend to ignore, and which can make a great deal of difference in their results. For one thing, there are all kinds of solid wood boxes, and then there are those with glass windows built into the tops. Though some might consider this option more of a personal decorator preference, the glass can come in very handy for those who are concerned about the conditions inside of the box.

For example, let’s say that you are trying to age a full box of cigars. You will have already taken the time to ensure that the container is large enough to allow proper circulation around all of the cigars. You will also have “seasoned” this box to ensure that it is at a level of at least 70% humidity before adding any cigars to it, and you will have ensured that the hygrometer you will use is functioning and calibrated properly. You will then add the humidifier to the proper location to help maintain optimal conditions.

So, how will you see the readings? A standard, solid wood box is going to require the owner to lift the lid and look at the hygrometer, but if they have opted for a glass-topped box they will be able to just take a peek at the readings through the clear window. This is all well and fine, but there is one common problem with this scenario – quite often the humidity inside of a long-term storage container causes the humidifier and the hygrometer to fail to stick in place.

The solution to this problem requires the use of a safe and entirely odor free glue. Remember that you cannot have the humidifier lying on top of the cigars, nor can you get accurate readings unless all devices are properly installed. Should your equipment fail to stick in place, you must simply find an odor free glue to position it properly.

Enterprise cigar lighters with their triple Quantum torch flames and single action ignition can light an object up to 1″ away. Windproof with a fold-out 7mm stainless steel cigar punch, a fuel-level viewing window, a metal case suitable for engraving, and a black leather holder. This lighter is matte black with polished silver detailing.

Anyone who has purchased cigars from a tobacconist’s shop will know that they are usually stored in specialized cabinets that maintain a balanced temperature and steady level of humidity. Basically, such a cabinet or container is just a commercially sized humidor which operates in many of the same ways that the smaller, cedar boxes do. These individually sized containers often provide remarkably efficient ways to age and maintain cigars under optimal conditions, but they do require some regular effort and care.

Why do cigars need humidity at all? Well, all cigars are made of cut tobacco and full tobacco leaves (which serve as their wrappers) and these are just like all dried plants – they are susceptible to the conditions around them. Drop a dried leaf in a puddle of water and it will absorb the moisture, leave the same leaf in the sun and it will shrivel up and crumble to dust. Tobacco operates in the same ways, and for a cigar to be enjoyable it must receive balanced humidity and a steady amount of heat or cold.

Interestingly enough the humidors are the same because they are made from soft, cedar woods that can lose their moisture if not taken care of properly. This means that there are some challenges to creating the right conditions for storing cigars in their special containers. The first thing to do, before adding cigars to long-term storage containers, is to ensure that they are fully seasoned or humidified. This is a very simple process that involves the boxes, a device known as a hygrometer, and a small humidifier for each.

The owner must put the boxes where they will be stored permanently, which should be in a somewhat controlled area out of direct sunlight. They should then close the box and put the hygrometer inside of it. This should be left alone for several hours to get an accurate reading. Anything less than 70% humidity means that the box itself will need to be re-humidified before cigars can be safely added. This is done by adding the humidifier and leaving the box alone until the right levels are obtained.

It is important to note that many boxes will need upwards of a full week to become fully restored, and a cigar owner is going to have to become quite proficient at managing their humidifying devices. This is because they will need to balance the distilled water and the Propylene Glycol formula (or PG) that allows water to escape at a much slower rate of evaporation, thus humidifying the environment properly.