Cigars must be kept in a properly humidified environment. The correct ambience is 70- to 72-percent relative humidity and a temperature of 70°F. A sealed environment is required to keep both elements stable. Avoid large or rapid fluctuations in either temperature or humidity--they can swell the bunch and crack the wrapper.

Wooden desktop humidors with humidity regulators are usually more than adequate to keep cigars. Built in sizes to accommodate anywhere from 50 to about 500 cigars, they offer a controlled environment. Check the cigars weekly, however, to ensure that the humidor maintains them at a proper moisture level. As for temperature, as long as you don't place the humidor next to a radiator, the cigars should be OK; most home environments remain between 68°F and 72°F.

Larger, standing cabinet humidors, with capacities of up to 1,500 cigars, are now available. They may include both temperature and humidity controls, and they have enough shelf space to store cigars in their original wooden boxes. For the serious connoisseur, these larger cabinet humidors are essential. With some modifications, you can also outfit a closet with the proper humidification and temperature controls--and, ideally, with Spanish cedar shelving--to create a walk-in humidor.

A cigar carrying case is an important accessory; it protects your cigars while you are out for the day or evening. Select a cigar case that accommodates your favorite-sized cigar. You may also want a variety of styles; a four- to five-finger cigar holder is perfect for a dinner party; and a smaller, two-cigar finger holder suffices for an after-dinner smoke with a friend. The latter also fits more conveniently in a suit pocket.