There is nothing better than the happiness you feel when you realize you have a new package full of beautiful cigars in the mail. But then you are distraught to remember that you can’t enjoy them right away. You have to let them rest.

Cigars are very sensitive. If you do not allow them to grow and develop, or if they have been improperly stored, they can give you a false first impression. A lot of people get their cigars in the mail and immediately open a few for a taste. Often, they remark that they are less than impressed, and that the cigar is not up to standards. Or maybe there is something wrong with the batch? Then, as they go deeper into the box, these people start to develop a liking for these cigars until by the end of the box, they’re loving them! But no, this is not because they learned to like the cigar. Nor is it dues to a mixture of blends throughout the group. It has everything to do with constant regulation of the humidity levels within the cigars.

Most newly-purchased cigars are not within the ideal 62%-65% humidity level range. This is because retailers typically store their tobacco products at a minimum 70% humidity. This keeps them from drying out due to the finicky weather conditions the cigars will encounter during transit. "Wet" cigars may end up having problems with taste and burn, and might be difficult to draw.

Allowing our cigars to rest will help regulate the humidity within the cigar. You might think a cigar is perfectly fine to smoke (perhaps the wrapper is a bit dry and feels great), but think of what the inside might look like. It could be completely moist! If the core of the cigar is too moist, regardless of what how the wrapper seems, you will run into issues with burn. A wet cigar needs at the very least a few weeks to rest in your humidor before you put it to your lips.

So how long should you let them rest, exactly? Well, that depends. Some people say a week is sufficient, others might say three weeks. You might even hear people say that smoking a cigar before letting it rest at least a few months is bad taste. My rule: the cigars must rest for about a month. For me, that is the time where I believe most cigars begin to pick up their distinctive flavor patterns, taste, and burn.

If you consider how a cigar works, the notion of letting them rest starts to make sense. The end of the cigar, the foot, comes into contact with the highest temperatures (for obvious reasons). As you puff on the cigar, the smoke moves through and cools. The smoke deposits some of the aromatic compounds onto the filler leaves and then reaches your mouth. As you continue to smoke, the traits change as does the time it takes for air to pass through the stogie. The flavor of the cigar will also noticeably change. Wet cigars do not let this process happen, leaving you to have an experience that is quite flat and devoid of pleasure.

Trying new things is important. But be sensible—you don not want to waste your money. Let your cigars sit before enjoying them.

Just remember, every time you light up a cigar before it is time is like throwing your money in the garbage. Resist the temptation! I know it might be hard, but believe me, it is worth it in the end. Good things come to those who wait!