CRT Humidor Management & Product Storage 4

Question 1

A customer complains that their boxed cigars smell musty after storage in the retail humidor. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Mold contamination caused by consistently high humidity or poor air circulation

Answer

A musty smell indicates mold, which develops when humidity is too high and airflow is insufficient to prevent moisture from pooling.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the '70/70 rule' in cigar storage?

Accepted Answer

70% relative humidity and 70°F temperature

Answer

The 70/70 rule is the widely cited guideline of maintaining 70% RH and 70°F (21°C) for ideal cigar storage.

Question 3

What is the salt calibration test used for in humidor management?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the accuracy of a hygrometer

Answer

A sealed container of saturated salt solution produces exactly 75% RH, allowing tobacconists to verify whether a hygrometer reads accurately.

Question 4

When inspecting cigars received from a distributor, a tobacconist finds tiny pinholes and fine dust inside several boxes. This most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Tobacco beetle infestation

Answer

Pinholes and fine powder (frass) are classic signs of tobacco beetle damage—beetles bore through the cigar creating visible holes.

Question 5

How should a tobacconist handle cigars discovered to have active tobacco beetle infestation?

Accepted Answer

Quarantine and freeze the affected cigars at 0°F for at least 72 hours, then inspect all others

Answer

Freezing cigars at 0°F for at least 72 hours kills beetles and eggs at all life stages; quarantine prevents spread to unaffected inventory.

(CRT) Certified Retail Tobacconist Practice Test