Humidification
proper humidification tips
The finest cigar can be ruined if it isn’t properly humidified. And an inexpensive cigar can age into a fine smoke when kept properly humidified. No matter what you invest in your cigars, they deserve a reasonable investment in humidification.
Balancing temperature and relative humidity
Keeping cigars properly humidified is the single most important factor in
determining a cigar’s inherent smokeabilility. A cigar that is too dry smokes
too hot and ashy and can unravel. A cigar that is too moist can make a
comfortable draw almost impossible. Whether you are holding your cigars in a
humidor (recommended), a cabinet, a cellar or a window sill, the trick is to
balance the right air temperature with the right relative humidity. The chart
below shows the proper relative humidity for different temperatures.
Choosing a humidor
If you’re considering purchasing a first humidor– perhaps you simply have been
purchasing single cigars as you smoke them – you might consider starting with a
less expensive and smaller humidor to see if maintaining a humidor is right for
you. There are many brands of good starter humidors for this purpose. They are
lined with Spanish Cedar, as any good humidor will be. But they don’t have the
storage capacity or all the bells and whistles of some of the more advanced
options. We carry a range of IDC brand humidors that are a great value for
getting started.
If you are already a humidor aficionado and tend to store more cigars and cigars
of higher value, it can be of great benefit to go with a more expensive humidor.
They have more storage capacity, finer construction for a lifetime of service,
and come with more durable and accurate accessories. Another nice option in a
fine humidor is vented shelving to separate brands and rotate them properly.
Price and aesthetics are really your factors to consider in determining the
right high-end humidor. When you’re at this level, choose your humidor like you
choose a high-end automobile. They are work beautifully. You just need to choose
the one that fits you best. And maybe the one you can see handing down to your
son someday. Davidoff and Griffin are brands you should consider.
If you travel with cigars, please invest in a travel humidor and a valet. So
often, we hear of customers stuffing unprotected cigars in their glove boxes or
in their luggage only to find the cigars damaged or dried out by the time they
are ready to enjoy them. Travel humidors are smaller, containing enough storage
space for a week’s worth of cigars or so. They’ll keep cigars protected and well
humidified for the duration of your trip. The vallet is a hard leather case with
a built in humidification system. They usually fit two or three large cigars that you’ll
smoke that day. Valets protect your cigars from abuse in a golf bag or a beach
sack.
Humidification DON’Ts
Don’t put your cigars in the refrigerator or freezer, ever.
Don’t take cigars out of cellophane until you’re ready to smoke them.
Don’t leave cigars in the car on warm, sunny days … for any length of time.
Don’t leave cigars in the car on dry, icy-cold days … for any length of time.
Don’t try to quickly “re-humidify” dried out cigars with blasts of moisture.
Don’t keep cigars in air-tight containers (Tupperware or Zip-Loc bags) with wet
paper towel.
Don’t keep your humidor in direct flow of heating or air conditioning vents.
Humidor Conditioning and Maintenance
| Temp | RH | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| 80° | 49% |
|
| 79° | 52% | |
| 78° | 53% | |
| 77° | 55% | |
| 76° | 57% | |
| 75° | 59% | |
| 74° | 61% | |
| 73° | 63% | |
| 72° | 65% | |
| 71° | 68% | |
| 70° | 70% | |
| 69° | 72% | |
| 68° | 75% | |
| 67° | 78% | |
| 66° | 80% | |
| 65° | 83% | |
| 64° | 86% | |
| 63° | 89% | |
| 62° | 92% | |
| 61° | 96% | |
| 60° | Impossible |
