Best RH for long-term storage?

[choirboy]

I currently have a 50 ct. humidor with 65% beads, and I'm thinking about getting the Havana Foot Locker for longer-term storage (months, up to a year or so).

400-500 Foot Locker Humidor: Cheap Humidors Cigar Humidor Cigar Accessories CheapHumidors.com

Is 65% good for storage, or would I be better off at 70%, and transferring cigars to be smoked soon to the 65% humidor?

[gopherftb64]

IMHO, you would be much better off to stick with 65%

[Herf N Turf]

This whole perfect RH thing and being completely anal about is a very recent and purely american phenomenon. Cigars aren't nearly as picky as we've come to be. All that we really need to be worried about is; loss of essential oils from being too dry (once theyre gone, there's no gettin them back) and becoming a beetle farm, from being too warm and moist. 65% is fine for long term storage, assuming that's where you most enjoy your smokes.

[e-man]

The rule of thumb for aging is 70% at 70 Degrees, but as stated before, you don't need to be overly worried. However, a lower temperature WILL slow down the chemical and biological processes of aging. It won't hurt anything, but will take longer to achieve the same result.

For long term storage, you really want to be as consistent as possible, and just leave them alone. A wood humidor will allow a certain amount of air exchange. This allows ammonia to escape. If you go with a cooler, then you will need to open it periodically or leave the drain open as it has a near perfect seal and ammonia will build up. This is really more of an issue with Cuban cigars which are shipped very young and continue to ferment. Most non-cubans have extra age at the factory, so ammonia isn't much of a problem, but isn't unheard of either.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by e-man

This allows ammonia to escape. If you go with a cooler, then you will need to open it periodically or leave the drain open as it has a near perfect seal and ammonia will build up.

If aging, let then stew in their own brew. The amonia will break down eventually. For long term aging I use ziplock bags and saran wrap to lessen air exchage. Slower aging=better aging.

As far what rg, that would be a personal preference.

[bobarian]

A year is not aging, its resting. Keep them at the same rh as you smoke them.
Long term aging is 5yrs+, some say 10yrs. But this is for CC's, not NC's. NC's are meant to be smoked fresh as the the tobacco is aged before rolling or the sticks are aged before shipping. There are a few(Pepin's, Opus, etc) that will change over time, but most have already gone through at least one fermentation before you recieve them.

[karmaz00]

yeah aging....minimun 5 year imo....but 65% should be fine

[Snake Hips]

For long long term aging, seal them in two ziplocks. You want to eliminate as much air transfer as possible. Store them in the high 50s for both RH and temperature. Open them when you rediscover them in your closet in about 20 years, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[docruger]

now that your probably more confused then before you asked. i have herd them all before but who's right ? you might want to take what you learn here and check some cigars sights like cigars 101 at J.R.cigars,famous and so on and then decide from there.