rH for long-term storrage?

[njstone]

Question:

I keep my current bins at 65% and things always seem to smoke well at that humidity level. I'm starting a new bin that will be used for longer storage, for things I'm not going to be smoking for some time, probably years.

I've heard that some people keep cigars at a higher rH for this kind of storage, like 70% or even higher. Is this something that some of you guys do, or would recommend?

Thanks!

 

[n.olson]

this coming from someone that has never done long term storage, i was of the understanding that slightly lower humidity was suggested, due to the fact you want to all for some breakdown of the tobacco. or, you're just preserving the tobacco as is. still gotta keep the temp low to prevent bugs.

got this from one of the aged cigar websites that was linked on here once upon a time

 

[tubaman]

I've read the same thing that n. olson stated. I also know a few guys that swear by this, and the sticks they have given me that have been aged in this fashion have been great.

I keep mine all in the same humi, so they age at around 64%. My aged stock tastes just fine to me, so I don't see a need to do anything different.

 

[njstone]

i need to buy some more beads anyway, so maybe I should just buy some 60% beads?

 

[Moro]

i need to buy some more beads anyway, so maybe I should just buy some 60% beads?

As long as it doesn't go below 50%

 

[twenty5]

Just keep them at 65% Not too dry, not too moist... Just right! lol

 

[terrantheman]

For LONG TERM aging I know people with substantial collections that keep them at 70%-70 degrees

 

[njstone]

For LONG TERM aging I know people with substantial collections that keep them at 70%-70 degrees

See that's what I had heard too ... I really don't know. I'm not sure what the reasoning behind either a higher or lower rH.

 

[n.olson]

this is where i got my info, comes from mitch on another thread about aging

link

 

[acaffey]

Opinions vary, but it seems that most "experts" agree that lower RH long term storage will allow the flavor of a cigar to evolve gradually and retain more nuance. At higher humidity levels, a cigar's flavor can evolve almost too quickly, especially if they are being stored for 5-10 years. Also, as Nick at Gotham Cigar stated in the material referenced in n.olson's post above, you are less likely to have problems such as mold, etc. at lower humidity levels.

That having been said, I think that most would consider 65% perfectly acceptable for long term storage.

 

[njstone]

One more bump for further opinions ...

Right now all my cigars at kept at 65%. Should I start a bin at 60% or 70% ... or just stick with 65% ??

 

[jwyatt55]

One more bump for further opinions ...

Right now all my cigars at kept at 65%. Should I start a bin at 60% or 70% ... or just stick with 65% ??

You are not going to get a concrete answer on this brother. Some people swear by 65 some go 70 rh. It is a matter of personal preference really. For years I stored my sticks at 70 but noticed that I was getting a lot of burn issues with many cigars so I decided to lower my rh down to 65 and now they all burn perfect for me. Just make sure they have some moisture in the air regardless of what rh you go with!

 

[Mitch]

The accepted belief with vintage buffs is as close to 70% but not over. Much lower humidity and the aging process is slowed down, Over 70% and you risk mold growing.

I use a humidor at 65-70% for my regular smokes and smokes under ten years old that I want to age, and another at 60-65% for keeping and aging older cigars or cigars that are already as mild as I like them and don't want them getting milder still.

The humidor I start them in also gets opened far more often, I think fresh air now and then is very important to help the process in the begining.

 

[njstone]

The accepted belief with vintage buffs is as close to 70% but not over. Much lower humidity and the aging process is slowed down, Over 70% and you risk mold growing.

I use a humidor at 65-70% for my regular smokes and smokes under ten years old that I want to age, and another at 60-65% for keeping and aging older cigars or cigars that are already as mild as I like them and don't want them getting milder still.

The humidor I start them in also gets opened far more often, I think fresh air now and then is very important to help the process in the begining.

Thanks, Mitch!!

 

[n.olson]

The humidor I start them in also gets opened far more often, I think fresh air now and then is very important to help the process in the begining.

i've been hearing that lately as well, that good fresh airflow is important, and that cello might be counterproductive to that process.

i'm considering on doing a long distance test somehow...

 

[njstone]

I've heard people talk about celo a lot. But it's air-permeable, so I don't see it as a problem. Plus, taking off the celo makes bombing and trades more problematic, as protecting the wrappers is more difficult.

 

[n.olson]

oh yeah, i'm all about cello from most short term uses, expecially bombing. nothing i hate moer than seeing my sticks with a cracked foot when it gets there!

but the explanation i got was that the chemicals that are released from the breakdown can hinder more aging, somehow some way that i am just not getting, mostly cause i'm not a chemist, but i read somewhere that made it seem leaving them closed in the original cedar box could even hinder it, which i found interesting.

basically the more variables eliminated the better?

 

[Danilo]

Cello should never be discussed again... please. There is a ton of talk about it in the "Cello Thread"... LOL.

Mitch mentioned the cigars getting fresh air once in a while at the beginning of the aging process... I have to agree that fresh air makes the smokes more desirable. the stale air just kind of drowns out a cigars uniqueness in my not very experienced opinion....

 

[Bigdankcloud]

my money goes to having the slightly less humidity for the aging process. The goal here is to slowly let the cigars finish all the rest of their fermentation process, and also to allow the oils of a cigar permeate through the whole stick and dry out creating the plume that we all look for. Intuition says that the lower 65% humidity would promote the best climate, while 70% might get it done quicker with lower quality.

Really though, i think we are all splitting hairs here. I mean, save for those with vinotemps and very stable temperatures, the rh of your humidor will fluctuate with the temperature changes of your room, so really you are storing them to what really is going to be very close to 65 or 70% throughout a given day.

Moral of the story i guess: Aging is aging and you'll appreciate it.