Supposing there was no such thing as a tobacco beetle... would it be better for aging to store cigars at a slighly higher temperature than 70 degrees?

I have an experimental humidor I've been been using where I store the cigars at 78 degrees and 70% humidity. I've had really good results so far and the smokes have been great. I smoked a CAO Brazilia the other night with so much plume it almost looked like rock candy. Of course, i'd be nervous about doing this to my whole collection because of the dreaded beetle.

I dont know how that would pan out over the long term. Im assuming that the cigars would keep more of their oils for a longer period of time (which is good) but probably your cigars would age way slower (which is bad). Also smoking a cigar that is that humid is usualy a chore in itself. Burn issues and strugling to keep the cigar lit are all a part of high humidity. I wouldnt do it myself.

Cigars tend to smoke better a little drier than 70/60.

I keep my cigars at about 65% RH and they smoke perfectly.

Jacket,

So you keep it at 70% RH but 78 degrees, not the other way around? Interesting. How long had you been aging the Brazilia? Personally, I've noticed an adverse effect on the burn quality when it gets above the low 70's in terms of temp.

yeah, 78 degrees and 70% RH (probably more like 68% but I use 70% beads). I had the Brazilia for close to two years. There is definitely no problem with burn quality, everything about it was good.

The only cigars I've ever had consistent burn problems with are the La Gloria Cubana's Serie R... but I think it is just something with that brand. I like the taste of them too much though so it doesn't bother me. It's not a horrible burn problem either, I just have to keep an eye on it and make sure I rotate it properly while smoking.

Ok, I have a beetle question. Are there always beetles in tobacco or is it a hit or miss proposition. I gave a friend a Habana cigar in a glass tube. He said within a few days in his humidor he saw little holes all over the cigar. I have two left which I kept in the glass case and see no beetles or plume on them. Am I playing with fire in keeping them?

Thanks for the advice in advance

The conventional wisdom with respect to Cuban cigars and tobacco beetles:
When u get home; freeze the cigars that you bought in Cuba.
Cuban cigar exports are frozen prior to shipment.

As for storage at high temperatures & high humidities. The risk of mould increases.

A few days ago I pulled out a BBF that was kind of fuzzy. The taper and foot had fuzz growing there. I lit up and enjoyed.