Why should the interior of humidors be made of cedar?

The exterior finish of humidors offers endless possibilities: natural woods, varnished, recomposed, roots, lacquered in a myriad of colors… Everything depends on personal taste or the decor of the room where you want to place it. However, it is essential that the interior of humidors be made of cedar wood.

The cedar wood used in the lining of humidors comes from two different species, known as Spanish, red, or American cedar (Cedrela Odorata) and bossé cedar. Both are tropical woods that are highly suitable for environments with high humidity levels, such as those found in humidors, and they maintain their quality well in these conditions due to their tropical origin.

Fundamentally, cedar wood is ideal for lining the interior of humidors for the following reasons:

• Humidity regulation: It has the ability to absorb and release moisture in a balanced way, helping to maintain constant humidity inside the humidor. This is crucial for preserving the quality and freshness of cigars.
• Aromatic properties: Cedar has a natural aroma that enhances the flavor of cigars. This aroma complements the cigar’s notes without negatively affecting or compromising its flavors.
• Pest resistance: It contains natural oils that repel insects and pests, such as tobacco beetles (Lasioderma serricorne), which can damage cigars. Therefore, it also serves as a perfect shield for cigars stored in the humidor.
• Durability: It is a strong and durable wood, making it a good option for the interior of humidors and ensuring a long life for the humidor itself.

Cedar wood species for the interior of humidors

American cedar is widely distributed throughout tropical America, being part of the native flora of most Latin American countries (except Chile). Its color ranges from pinkish-brown to light red, with a lighter sapwood, and it gives off a strong aroma.
However, it also has a lot of resin, which has both a positive and a negative side. The good side is that the resin contributes pleasant aromas to the humidor and, therefore, to the cigar. The downside is that if the humidor is not opened periodically or remains closed for a long time, the resin may ooze out, making large-scale use difficult.

The second most commonly used wood species in humidors, known as bossé cedar, comes from tropical Africa and some South American countries. Its wood is slightly less aromatic than American cedar, and it is also lighter in color and contains less resin. This lower resin content makes it a better choice for large-scale humidor interiors.

At Humidores Wacota, we primarily use bossé cedar wood because, in addition to having the characteristics of durability, pest resistance, humidity regulation, and aromatic properties, we ensure that the resin does not appear as much over time in the humidors. We use bossé cedar for the interior walls, shelves, drawers, and removable trays.

In any case, if the client wishes for us to use Spanish or American cedar wood, we do so as long as they accept the potential issues that its use might cause, such as the possibility of its resin re-emerging.