PCA 2023: Benchmark Humidors

Of all the companies that I reached out to before PCA 2023, no company’s list of new products confused me more than Benchmark Humidors of Gunter, Texas. That said, once I got to the company’s booth, it all began to make sense.

The big news from Benchmark is that it has a new collection of Cigar Luggage that combines Benchmark’s woodworking with leather Saddleback Leather of Azle, Texas. This isn’t Saddleback’s first foray into the cigar accessory market. More than a decade ago, Vanderburgh Humidors of Canada partnered with the leather company for a variety of travel accessories. Those products sort of came and went, so it was nice to see that these two Texas companies were coming together for new products.

As for the Benchmark booth, it doubled in size compared to the company’s 10′ x 10′ booth from PCA 2022. The larger space allowed for more seating, and more comfortable seating at that, and also probably four times the number of products to be displayed. Given its pricing, willingness to experiment and being a made in the U.S.A. brand, I suspect that Benchmark products are going to be much more visible in the next 12 months. While the travel humidors might not be for everyone, the humidor accessories it makes seem like products that a typical halfwheel reader would be interested in, especially given the prices.

Benchmark Divvidor

This is a pretty nifty concept: rather than placing a Boveda pack above or below your cigars, why not place a Boveda beside your cigars. Rather than having just a standard piece of wood to use as a diver, Benchmark Humidor has created the Divvidor. It’s three pieces, two friction-fit end pieces that press against the wall of your humidor and then a Spanish cedar 60-gram Boveda holder that attaches magnetically to the end pieces. While it’s definitely thicker than a standard divider, it adds a lot more function.

That said, if you are someone who struggles with putting too many cigars in your humidor, this probably isn’t for you.

MSRP: $8.99

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Stixstax

These are new wooden trays that Benchmark envisions for a number of different applications. The company showed them off inside of an acrylic case, and they are used extensively in the Cigar Luggage collection. Each tray can hold up to eight 7 x 60 cigars. The trays feature ventilated cut-outs at the bottom, and they are designed to be stacked on top of one another. Benchmark includes these small brass wheel pieces that can be placed on the edges of the tray for stacking.

MSRP: $38.99 (Per Pair)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Travel Humidors Update

The company has updated its travel humidors with a new closing mechanism. There are two leather straps attached to the lid, which attach to the bottom piece of the humidors via magnets.

These are offered in various wood finishes and sizes ranging from holding three 5 x 60 cigars all the way to being able to fit eight 9 x 60 cigars or even a Stixstax.

MSRP: $65.99-109.99

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Zippidor

Last year, the Zippidor was very much a work in progress and seemed a bit last minute. A year later, the Zippidor is a refined product with more uses. This was originally envisioned as being a way to put Spanish cedar in a plastic container. I’m of the belief that Spanish cedar is not necessary for cigar storage, but I understand that some people think it’s part of the experience.

Now the Zippidor is being offered in two sizes and with the understanding that it’s not just for plastic storage bins. The other obvious application is as a Boveda holder for a traditional humidor. Like so many of Benchmark’s products, magnets are embedded inside the wood.

• Benchmark Little Zippidor — $13.99
• Benchmark Big Zippidor — $18.49

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage

This is the aforementioned collaboration with Saddleback. A few things to note for all of these products:

• Saddleback leather uses full-grain leather that is designed to wear easily. What you see in the pictures below is what the products look like brand new, it will look different after regular use.
• All of these items include at least one removable Spanish cedar storage container from Benchmark. Meaning, you could take the container out—most of the time it’s a Stixstax—and use the bag for other things.
• All seven models are available in Saddleback’s four colors: black, chestnut, dark coffee brown and tobacco. For more information about which one you should get, Saddleback has a very helpful “Which color should I get?” section on its FAQ.

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL1

This is the smallest and least expensive of the Cigar Luggage series. Unlike the other models, it does not include a Stixstax, though does have a smaller Spanish cedar container. That said, Benchmark says this should hold 10 robustos.

MSRP: $129

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Not pictured.

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL2

This is similar to the CL1 but is larger so that it can fit a single Stixstax tray, meaning it can hold eight cigars up to 7 x 60.

MSRP: $149

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL3

This includes a single Stixstax tray, meaning it can hold eight cigars up to 7 x 60.

MSRP: $299

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Not pictured.

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL4

This model comes with two Stixstax trays, meaning it can hold 16 cigars up to 7 x 60. It has a front pocket and is similar in size to the larger CL5, though the models differ in how they store cigars.

MSRP: $499

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL5

This has a larger Stixstax tray that can hold 16 7 x 60 cigars.

MSRP: $549

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL6

This has two Stixstax trays, meaning it can hold 16 cigars. Of note, the trays are an inch longer than the other models. I’m told you could configure this to be a small backpack by adding two shoulder straps.

MSRP: $619

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL7

If you want a more standard-looking briefcase with a front pocket, the CL7 is able to hold 16 cigars up to 7 x 60. For some size perspective, Saddleback markets this as a laptop bag for laptops with screens up to 13 inches.

MSRP: $619

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Benchmark Humidors Cigar Luggage CL8

The flagship leather model has four Stixstax units, meaning it can hold 24 cigars up to 7 x 60, though there’s room for more cigar storage both inside the backpack and outside. You could attach some of the smaller options, like a CL1 or CL3, using the front D-Rings.

MSRP: $979

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.