Wow...I have learned a valuable lesson from the forums and members regarding the humidity when storing your cigars.
Previously, I used a standard hmidifier element that came with my humidor(s). I added a humidipak #72% (or two) for stabilization as the element never seemed to get a constant 70%. With the packs, the digi hygro read 70% constantly. For a while I thought my palate was changing. My cigars seemed more one dimensional and always seemed a little on the bitter side as I smoked. Burn was usually OK.
After reading many posts, I tossed the elements and changed the humidipaks to #69%. I now have read a constant 65% for over two weeks and tonights Padron 26 #9 tastes like a different cigar. Half way through and I can't put it down...much more flavor and nuances. More balance. Outstanding!!!
Now I'm on the last 1/3rd. The flavor is slightly bitter, as they were at 70%. I'm assuming some more time to stabilize will open them back up.
I prefer smoking at a slightly drier RH as well. I find that when a cigar is at 70% the moisture in the cigar tends to make the cigars draw too hard and as you noted, taste bitter.
Enjoy those smokes, sounds like you have a good supply of premiums.
Doc ***** Tobacco is a filthy weed, I like it...
SNOB Member 1033 1/3
Posts: 9629 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 02, 2002
I let my desktop and coolerdor bounce between 60-65% RH and have never had a problem with my smokes. What I mean by bounce is that I wait until it's running around 60% RH before adding water to the beads (65% Heartfelt beads).
Lit a Hemmingway Short Story over the weekend after some weeks resting at 65% (previously at 70%).
Results were fantastic again. More depth, complexity to the flavor and smooth as a baby's bottom. Strength was still medium, but overall much more rewarding smoke IMHO. It's a new cigar...
Tonight I lit a Illusione 68 resting for a few weeks at 65% (overall about 5 weeks). Strong little sucker, but smoother than before at 70%. Not as rough and more distinct flavors for this little "bombone." Looking forward to some more age at this humidity...
Next on the list is some well rested VSG's. But never rested at 65. Will report more when I can stoke one...
Originally posted by SteveSur: I let my desktop and coolerdor bounce between 60-65% RH and have never had a problem with my smokes. What I mean by bounce is that I wait until it's running around 60% RH before adding water to the beads (65% Heartfelt beads).
I do the same Steve..works great...
Posts: 1445 | Location: THE BUCKEYE STATE | Registered: June 24, 2007
SteveSur, i took your recommendation several months ago and bought a pound of the heartfelt beads and it has been over 3 months since I have put any distilled water in them. My question is, do you go about putting water in them on a regular schedule (i.e. every 3-4 months) or do you just add water depending on the RH?? Thanks in advance
Originally posted by neezY: Will taking a cigar resting at 70 and dry-boxing it produce the same effect (i.e. make it better)?
There have been quite a few people that do this. It's usually when someone has a lot of NCs and a few CCs. A lot of people like their NCs at 70%-65% and CCs 65%-60%. So they would take their CC out and let it rest for a few hours to a day to bring the RH down.
"Here's the deal. I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence." Ricky Bobby
Originally posted by neezY: Will taking a cigar resting at 70 and dry-boxing it produce the same effect (i.e. make it better)?
I don't think so. Dry boxing is only good to bring down the moisture in the wrapper. So it helps prevent tunneling. The filler will still be above 65%.
