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Battle of the Boxes
There are fewer humidors on today's market and that's good news for consumers
Michael Moretti
From the Print Edition:
Gen. Tommy Franks, Nov/Dec 03
(continued from page 5)
Veneer: Quilted maple; Interior: Spanish cedar, African Sapele; Capacity: 100 cigars; Humidification: Humigar System (one unit); Details: Gold-plated brass fixtures, dividers, analog hygrometer; Cost: $795; Contact: (301) 432-6131; Score: B-
This attractive box has many attributes, but niggling problems kept it from scoring higher in our ranking. It has a brilliant look, with a bright orange veneer of quilted maple that shimmers in the light and vividly contrasts with the ebony borders, which are made of bloodwood. However, there were problems with the locking system and major difficulties with the lid. After functioning properly during the treating period, the locking mechanism failed in the first week of official testing. It continued to turn, but was not hooking to the lid, making it impossible to secure the lid. The lid itself was no longer flush with the box, forming a small gap in the seal. These problems could have been caused, in part, by the hinges, which appeared unusually small for a humidor of this size. (We encountered similar problems with the Michael Dixon humidor rated in the 1999 review.) The problem with the lid didn't seem to affect the humidity, however, as levels were fairly consistent throughout the test.
Michael Stuart Design Ltd. -- Ferrari Humidor
Veneer: Acrylic paint over mahogany frame; Interior: Spanish cedar; Capacity: 250 cigars; Humidification: Elie Bleu System (three units); Details: Chrome fixtures, trays, dividers, analog hygrometer; Cost: $6,999 (exact price depends on custom specifications); Contact: msdesignltd@aol.com; Score: D+
This bold muscle car of a humidor is impossible to ignore. It has a shimmering coat of fire-engine red paint, accented with heavy metal chrome fixtures reminiscent of its namesake sports car, and is finished with a crown of pointed cap nuts. It can hold 250 cigars, making it one of the largest humidors in this test. A gearhead may fall madly in love with this custom-made piece by Michael Stuart Barber, but he would have his heart broken if he didn't watch it carefully. The performance of this large humidor did not live up to the standard set by the company's Harley-Davidson model, which was rated B+ in the 1999 humidor review. Although a novel idea with admirable style, the Ferrari humidor seemed thrown together. Fixtures were loose, a screw was missing (which could have been missing from the start or have fallen out during testing) and the thin sheet of cedar on the inside of the lid was separating by the end of the test. The humidity level was unpredictable, fluctuating greatly in the first couple of weeks, then rising to the mid-70s by the end of the test. The interior aroma is suspect, with an overpowering cedar smell. It is custom made and priced accordingly, but hardly seems worth the amount.
Arlin Liss Humidor
Veneer: Maple burl; Interior: Mahogany; Capacity: 100 cigars; Humidification: Cigar Oasis Electronic Humidifier (one unit); Details: brass fixtures, trays, dividers, lock and key, digital hygrometer; Cost: $2,500; Contact: (804) 378-2871; Score: D
One word describes this newcomer to the pages of Cigar Aficionado -- hubris. Trying to give the customer the most it can, this humidor aspires to reach too far and falls considerably short. The physical size of the humidification unit is far too large for the box, as is the hygrometer, leaving little space for cigars and practically drenching the ones that fit inside. At one time, humidity levels in the Arlin Liss rocketed up to 86 percent, and the piece fell far short of its boasted 100-cigar capacity. The humidor is powered by an active humidifier -- the only one we've seen in a desktop humidor -- which proved to be more of a burden than a bonus. Most desktop humidors rely on passive humidifiers, which employ a sponge and/or chemical compound to regulate humidity without the use of electricity. Active humidifiers -- in this case a Cigar Oasis -- use fans and require electrical power to operate. This anchors the Arlin Liss to a location with a close outlet where it must be plugged in. The high humidity appeared to affect the interior seams, which were separating by the end of the test and looked as if they would fall apart over time. In addition, the humidor's design lacks the sophistication of the other humidors in the review. It is far overpriced for its size and quality, trying to impress with innovation as opposed to providing substance. V
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