Optimal Humidity Levels For Peak Efficiency Cigar Storage

For decades, cigar connoisseurs and tobacconists have long labored to study the subtle art of tobacco preservation. It is a well-known fact that cigars, like a fine vintage wine, only release the fullness and totality of their subtle flavor profiles when they have been properly preserved and aged. This article aims to impart to you the knowledge of proper moisture levels for cigar storage, as has been known by tobacco enthusiasts the world over for many years.

Moisture is a function of humidity, which is an incredibly key factor in the environment of a cigar storage unit. Like the Goldilocks fable from youth of yesteryear, too humid/too moist and its no good; too hot/too dry and the flavors are lost too. Achieving a stable balance is essential when considering the long-term aging and preservation process of good cigars.

As a function of the sensitivity of all the factors that affect the health, longevity, and proper aging of a cigar, it is wise–if you do not already own one–to consider investing into a well-constructed humidor for the storage of your cigars. The following instructions will assume that you possess a humidor, as it is the easiest and most efficient way to regulate your cigar storage environment. If you do not possess one, you must find ways to adapt these instructions to whatever setup you currently do have.

Striking this balance between perfect temperature and humidity is considered to be so essential because it has noticeable and dramatic effects on how the cigars transform when exposed to these elements. The entirety of the cigar experience can change depending on how it has been preserved and aged.

Comparable to the Goldilocks of youth’s fables, you–the cigar smoker–will likely not find great satisfaction in smoking a cigar if it is too moist or too dry. Cigars stored in an overly moist environment will not burn properly because they are too damp. As a result of this, it will be hard to maintain their cherry (the lit part of the cigar), and they will be difficult to draw smoke from. Furthermore, the smoke that they release when overly moist is typically sour in both taste and smell. This unfortunate shift of flavor is a destruction of the finely nuanced flavor profile that the cigar should normally possess.

In contrast, but no less unfortunate, a cigar which is stored in an environment that dries it out results in the premature evaporation of certain essential oils that are within the tobacco and on the wrapping that encases it. This leads to the destruction of the subtle and nuanced flavor profile that the cigar was crafted in mind with. Furthermore, the smoke that comes from dry cigars is acrid and harsh to the palate. It is usually an obnoxious and overbearing flavor in strength and the degradation in flavor is obvious.

As for the hard numbers that are relevant to this matter, the tobacco community collectively concluded on what they consider to be a very reliable ratio: 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 70% relative humidity, otherwise referred to as 70/70. Though some tobacconists consider 70/70 to be absolute law, there are many others who believe it can be much more flexible than that. 60-70% RH is thought to be a fair and efficient range.

Though there are hardcore tobacconists who swear up and down that 70/70 is the only state you should ever keep your cigars in, there are many in the tobacco community who believe it can be a great deal more flexible than that. 60-70% is a workable range of maintenance, though as for temperature cigars should never be maintained in a temperature above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Proper moisture levels for cigar storage are an aspect of your cigar-owning experience that should not be neglected or ignored. The proper maintenance of cigars is essential in unlocking the full value and experience of smoking a well-crafted cigar; make sure that you get the best experience out of yours.

Learn about the advantages and benefits of using a Cigar hygrometer today! You can get the information and details about how a humidor hygrometer will help your cigars retain their freshness and flavor longer now.