Collection Gift Guide: Singing the Bleus
12/01/2006
The selection of a humidor is as personal a decision as the choice of a fine watch or a favorite easy chair. A wooden container, originally improved upon to keep cigars fresh, soon became elevated to an art form, combining the eye of the artist, hand of the cabinetmaker, and mind of the scientist. And among all the world’s humidors, none are finer than the elusive boxes made by Elie Bleu.Elie Bleu is a Paris-based atelier with decades of history
manufacturing the cream of the cabinetmaker’s crop. Its catalog includes designs
that have been in the line for decades, as well as new editions celebrating
themes—like dice—or the use of an unlikely material, such as straw. Made to
order, each humidor is a handmade work of art that begins as a cabinet made of
cedar aged 10 years prior to cutting. Following the application of precious
wood, metal, or mother-of-pearl inlays, each cabinet receives 12 coats of
hand-polished lacquer. The precision-cut seal of each lid is so airtight that a
$100 bill, on which the lid has been shut, will rip when extracted.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
From top to bottom: The Red Tower ($7,500)
features a window motif that spells Elie Bleu; the Vegas Collection die humidor
($4,500), a limited edition of 50 pieces, sports mother-of-pearl inlays; and the
hand-inlaid straw humidor ($4,500) employs a humble material dyed a pistachio
and mahogany color. (Click image to enlarge)
Inside, popular cigar sizes are accommodated in adjustable
cedar trays, and most boxes house between 25 and 100 sticks. All humidors
feature an Elie Bleu humidifying element, plated in gold or palladium to match
hinges and any visible hardware. Adjustable windows in the hygrometer allow one
to set humidity to the smoker’s preference.
Elie Bleu products traditionally have been difficult to find in America, and the largest selection we have found is offered by Joe G. Mahroukian, owner of Joey’s Cigar Lounge in Encino, Calif. In addition to an array of humidors, the Lounge stocks other Elie Bleu items such as ashtrays, cutters, travel humidors, jewelry cases, watch winders, cuff links, and even backgammon sets. Humidors are priced from $2,200.
Joey’s Cigar Lounge, 818.343.5768