As the proud new owner of 9 cigars (thanks to trading and gifting from members here), I have a question. I hear people talking about "letting them rest" after shipping. I can understand that, I think, by assuming that the environment the cigar is shipped in (shipping peanuts and a plastic bag inside a box) aren't ideal, and that the cigar needs to get back to the proper humidity. Is that correct? Are there other reasons?

Secondly, I'm considering building a coolerdor, and I wonder how long cigars can be stored in these. If lined and made properly, can these be used as permanent storage safely?

Thanks for your answers!

"Swim" Yes One of the reasons is to make sure they are in the state they should be for optium Smoke and Flavor another is some Cigars need additional time to age , I alot of Case you will find the longer they sleep the better they tatste..And yes as long as you keep the conditions right they will last a long , long long time in you Coolador.IMHO... TinMan

It's not just what happens to the smokes during the journey to your house. God only knows what their living conditions were like before shipment. If you buy more than one of a kind, try smoking one right off the bat and letting the others rest for at least a month and then try another. I think you will be surpised.