Oxidation of Cigars??

Do we have any Science Gurus here?

When reading about "Display" style humidors you see a lot about how any amount of light can start oxidation. When I think oxidation, I think corrosion and rust. So what actually happens to the cigar? Does it just dry out and lose it's flavor faster? Does it get fragile and eventually crack/split?

Would really love to put my Liga/Tat collection in a display type humidor but not if it's going to ruin the cigar itself.

Great question!

I try to fully oxidize a couple of cigars a week ...

However, I don't let it happen in a display humidor. Or any other kind of humidor, for that matter. It happens in my yard.

I don't know the answer to your question. As you can see, I never let that get in the way of posting a reply ...

I speculate it creates a chemical reaction of the oils, effecting flavor more than construction. Just a guess though.

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Originally Posted by Laynard

I speculate it creates a chemical reaction of the oils, effecting flavor more than construction. Just a guess though.

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I think this is mostly the case.

If subjected to more intense or UV light, it may have a small deterioration, decay, or discoloration of the wrapper which may may affect the structure. It would be limited to the outer wrapper where exposed though.
In reality, I think it would take quite a bit of time or intense light and I doubt many of us would be able to tell the difference in how it smokes. I don't think normal ambient room light would do much.

I think a bigger concern would be the additional heat generated by direct light and the evaporation or reduction of the oils.

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Originally Posted by Nature

I think this is mostly the case.

If subjected to more intense or UV light, it may have a small deterioration, decay, or discoloration of the wrapper which may may affect the structure. It would be limited to the outer wrapper where exposed though.
In reality, I think it would take quite a bit of time or intense light and I doubt many of us would be able to tell the difference in how it smokes. I don't think normal ambient room light would do much.

I think a bigger concern would be the additional heat generated by direct light and the evaporation or reduction of the oils.

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Yeah, I would think the regular swings in temp would be the biggest issue.

For the sake of more specifically answering your question, I'll assume everything else is perfect, in terms of storage and simply impose a glass prophylaxis and light. Different types as well as intensities of light cause the acceleration of oxidation. That's right, I said "acceleration", since you can never totally avoid it. It's just a natural process, just as free radicals in our bodies cause us to oxidize. I digress...

Anyway, as far as the visual ques, the wrapper will appear flatter in appearance, since the oils have oxidized and lost their luster. The wrapper will have also lost color and become lighter. Since the RH is still where it needs to be, you won't notice any loss of elasticity, nor have any burn issues, as these are products of moisture content. Depending on the extent, you'll definitely experience a dramatic loss in flavor. The natural flavors of the wrapper, which makes up the vast majority of the flavor profile, will have diminished. In extreme cases, it's like smoking a cigar with no flavor, rather like a very mild cigarette. Not nice.

It takes surprisingly less time than people think for this to happen. It also takes a lot less light than most people would think. Personally, I wouldn't store cigars under glass for any more than a few weeks and even that assumes no direct light.

Awesome response thank you Don! I'll keep them in wooden boxes lol


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Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

For the sake of more specifically answering your question, I'll assume everything else is perfect, in terms of storage and simply impose a glass prophylaxis and light. Different types as well as intensities of light cause the acceleration of oxidation. That's right, I said "acceleration", since you can never totally avoid it. It's just a natural process, just as free radicals in our bodies cause us to oxidize. I digress...

Anyway, as far as the visual ques, the wrapper will appear flatter in appearance, since the oils have oxidized and lost their luster. The wrapper will have also lost color and become lighter. Since the RH is still where it needs to be, you won't notice any loss of elasticity, nor have any burn issues, as these are products of moisture content. Depending on the extent, you'll definitely experience a dramatic loss in flavor. The natural flavors of the wrapper, which makes up the vast majority of the flavor profile, will have diminished. In extreme cases, it's like smoking a cigar with no flavor, rather like a very mild cigarette. Not nice.

It takes surprisingly less time than people think for this to happen. It also takes a lot less light than most people would think. Personally, I wouldn't store cigars under glass for any more than a few weeks and even that assumes no direct light.

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Don you have 2 wineadors...

Excellent question Jimmy!! I had wondered the same thing now I have an answer. Thanks brother!!

Reno