What does humidity do to cigars and their taste/smoke?

[Derek2783]

I've read that people prefer differing humidities for their cigars, but as a newbie, I have no idea why.

So what kind of difference is there if you keep your humidor at 62% vs 65% vs 70%?

Does it affect the flavor, the smoke, or both?

What's your preference and why?

Also, what's your preferred method of humidifying? I think I'm going to try the packets, they're supposed to be pretty hassle free, right? If I have a small humidor (10-15), is one packet enough?

[K Baz]

I am going to weigh in early on this one and say the difference between 60 thru 70 RH % is not going to be overly noticable in taste - I think you will notice difference in burn.

Thats just me I prefer mine at 62% because I feel they burn better plus I feel more comforatble at the lower RH

But I will let those with out the palate of a goat weight in on the RH vs Taste theories

PS beads or the puck are the shizz

[gjcab09]

In my extremely limited experience, the more moisture content (70% and above for my pallet), the more bitter the smoke. My humidors seem to hang right around 64%-65% which produces the best taste/burn combination for my preferences. If they get much below about 60%, to me, they seem to burn a little hot and too quickly. Also I feel they get a little bland tasting.

Hope that helps some.

[Sigarz]

I think there are some differences in taste but the biggest change is with the burn a too moist cigar will go out often, burn unevenly depending on how the moisture of the tobacco is distributed through out the radius of the cigar. for example if your cigar was in a less humid box them transfered to a more humid box the out portion would be more moist so in extreme situations you will have thecigar burning down the center but less on the sides causing major tunneling and other interesting burning. and the opposit is true if the cinter is more moist then the outer portion. hope this helps.

[mrsmitty]

I think defiantly the burn not sure about the taste.

[Herf N Turf]

It depends on the smoke. Personally (and its a very personal and subjective thing) I like Dominican tobaccos at 70%. Conversely, I find CC's seem best at 63-65%. Everything else is in between. As stated, 70% is more of a hassle than a benefit. When I lived in a drier climate, I could get away with 70% and saw very few burn issues. Now that I live in an area of high humidity, I keep everything 65-67% I also dry box some.
For a humi that size, I would stick with the packets. You only need one, but get two. While one is working, the other can be in a tupperware container, with some DW recharging. Packs take up the least amount of room and work just as well as beads.

[Derek2783]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input!

So, the general consensus is, too much humidity they might burn unevenly and possibly bitter, but too little results in a too hot, quicker burning cigar.

I think I'll try somewhere between 62-65% and start there.

HerfNturf, whats DW? I didn't know you could recharge a packet?

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by Derek2783

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input!

So, the general consensus is, too much humidity they might burn unevenly and possibly bitter, but too little results in a too hot, quicker burning cigar.

I think I'll try somewhere between 62-65% and start there.

HerfNturf, whats DW? I didn't know you could recharge a packet?

62 - 65 is perfect.

DW is Distilled Water.

[Juicestain]

Might wanna also look at the Heartfelt Palo these are cigar shaped / sized pieces of cedar with a small opening covered with mesh with Heartfelt beads inside. Just the thing for a small box. I personally like around 65%, I find any higher RH then that and I run into burn issues.

Heartfelt Humedad Palo

Edit: Although I just noticed these are only available in 70% apparently...

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by Derek2783

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input!

So, the general consensus is, too much humidity they might burn unevenly and possibly bitter, but too little results in a too hot, quicker burning cigar.

I think I'll try somewhere between 62-65% and start there.

HerfNturf, whats DW?

DW = distilled water

Originally Posted by Derek2783;2670499I

didn't know you could recharge a packet?

I know. And, Boveda doesn't really want me to tell you that the packets can be recharged. If everyone knew this, they'd sell a lot less packets! Ha! The packets, like beads, both give off and absorb moisture. That's how they regulate. It's basically the same stuff inside. Beads can be sprayed to recharge them (I don't recommend this), but packets can only be recharged "passively", which means you put them into a container with another DW media (sponge) and let them suck up the ambient moisture for a few days. Just don't let them dry out completely. That's a death sentence.

The difference between 70% and (what I consider the low ebb) 62%, is more about burn than taste. A cigar that smokes best at 62%, won't be ruined, or taste crappy at 70%. It just won't burn, or draw as well. There are some tobaccos that just seem to give up their best flavors at 70%. Like I said, these are most Dominicans. Hondurans, seem to like about 67% and Nicaraguan puros seem to give me the most love at around 65%. Cubans... they just have a dryer sense of humor.

Don't think me so anal, that I keep my cigars from different countries at different humidities. That's just nuts. I keep my box(s) at about 65-67% and dry box the ones that like to smoke dryer for 1-4 days. Again, if I were still living in the arid west, I'd keep them closer to 70% and drop them from there. Here in VA, where I keep them now, seems to work best. YMMV.

[teoulennon]

I concur about the bitter taste, the humidity of my humidor got around 75% one time and my cigar was noticeably bitter and 'green' tasting/smelling.

[Phantom57]

The Boveda paks can always be reconstituted, even from hard as a brick, just takes a little longer. I have been doing this for about four years, and the paks don't look any worse for wear.

Humidity will affect draw, and taste. I smoke mostly Nicaraguan puros, and I like them best at 68-70% RH. The higher humidity gives a bit more resistance in the draw, and to me increases the fullness and flavor of the cigar. Too much humidity will definitely cause a cigar to become bitter, acrid, and hard to draw. Too little will cause a cigar to lose flavor, with a grassy hot overtone to it. Cubans are generally kept at a bit lower RH because thier tobacco is mostly a thinner leaf.

[orca99usa]

My experience is that if a cigar is too dry, it tends to be harsh and burn hot. If it is too moist, the wrapper may split open and dump hot ashes in your lap (as I learned when I lit up a Fonseca Habana Seleccion the day I got it from CI, before I knew better). You may also have trouble keeping it lit. I find the draw to be tight on a damp cigar as well, which really interferes with my enjoyment of it. I keep mine at around 65% RH.

[tobacmon]

Not sure if anyone's mention the fact that some use the 70% RH for storing , aging cigars and the lower RH % for cigars they are intending on smoking in the near future. I have a box at 65-68% RH for my go to smokes and a cooler that is set at 70% RH for aging / storing purposes. Hope you meet a happy medium for your collection.