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Last post 21 years ago by Fubar69. 12 replies replies.
Spanish V. red cedar
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Fubar69 Offline
#1 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 6:45 AM EST
Joined: 04-02-2001
Posts: 325
I have always used Spanish cedar for all my humidors. Why is Spanish better? I recently saw an add from a custom Humidor manufacturer that said that they would use "aromatic" cedar unless you specified "spanish" cedar.

I have also heard of a reference to "mexican" cedar. What is that? What is the "taboo" against using "Red" cedar?

These are some questions that have come up amongst my cigar smoking friends. So inquiring minds want to know. I told them that if anyone would know it "wood" be the all knowing, all seeing group on Cbid forum....69
PMoreno349 Offline
#2 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 7:02 AM EST
Joined: 07-05-2002
Posts: 665
Spanish cedar is not in the same family as "regular"cedar that you would line your closet with.

Spanish cedar is more closely related to philipine mahogany.

Closet lining cedar, is not good for lining humidor.
SteveR@CigarBid Offline
#3 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 7:15 AM EST
Joined: 11-19-2002
Posts: 12,746
One of the major reasons why Spanish Cedar is used is out of tradition. Another, is due to the "pleasant" aroma it produces, and adds to your cigars.

However, some of the top humidor makers out there use other woods such as mahogany and gaboon. Companies such as Prometheus and Davidoff prefer not to use Spanish Cedar for reasons such as sap residue and aroma.
SteveS Offline
#4 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 8:09 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
BUT, the reason you don't want to use a cedar other than Spanish cedar to line a humidor is, that while it IS eminently suitable for closets and chests (because it repels destructive pests), it is NOT suitable for a humidor because of its distinctive fragrance ... that aroma might not be disagreeable on your clothes, but it would flavor your cigars ... that might NOT be so agreeable ...
bud451 Offline
#5 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 9:39 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
PM is correct. Spanish cedar is almost identical to mahogany except in color and aroma. Mahogany is a good alternative to spanish cedar if the aroma is not wanted.

You don't want to use any other kind of cedar, it's too aromatic.
bud451 Offline
#6 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 9:41 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
Both "steves" are correct also
xrundog Offline
#7 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 2:43 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
Spanish cedar, when fresh, has a great aroma. It quickly loses that in a humidor full of cigars, yet retains it's humidity regulating properties. Aromatic Cedar keeps it smell for a long time. Ever smell a 100 year old cedar chest? Your cigars would taste like a shoe tree.
BMW Offline
#8 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 2:47 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 3,010
I planted one of those shoe trees once but it had no sole.

Barry
PMoreno349 Offline
#9 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 3:09 PM EST
Joined: 07-05-2002
Posts: 665
Good one Barry :)
Slimboli Offline
#10 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 3:35 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Philippine Mahogany?

... I thought it was Honduran Mahogany, now I'm confused ...
Mr.Mean Offline
#11 Posted: Tue, Nov 5 2002, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
It is Honduran Mahogany. And, aromatic cedar is in fact a juniper and can cause respitory problems.
Slimboli Offline
#12 Posted: Wed, Nov 6 2002, 3:19 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
One other interesting fact ...

The Spanish Cedar tree belongs to the 'Cedrela Fissilis' Family ... and it is not really a cedar at all.

In fact, it is a deciduous tree. The oils in the heartwood do have a distinct cedar smell, so I suppose that is how it got named.
Fubar69 Offline
#13 Posted: Wed, Nov 6 2002, 6:07 AM EST
Joined: 04-02-2001
Posts: 325
Thanks for all the replies. Now I will sound like I know what I am talking about when I explain it to the rest of the group here.

All of the answers were great except BMW. Someone should explain to him that you only plant them deep enough till their tongues stick out....69
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