Do you age cigars at a higher humidity than you smoke them?

[Tarks]

Originally Posted by 6clicks

I'm too old to age my cigars so I just let them rest a while and burn 'em up.

LOL. Good one.

[nativetexan_1]

I keep them all about the same: 65-70% as best I can in an area with daily humidity ranging wildly.

[Phantom57]

Likewise, I don't consider anything under 24 months aging. If you do age cigars the humidity should be lower, not higher, ie more in the 60-65% range. The best thing to truly age in is a cooler, they maintain humidity much better than even expensive humidors and are a lot less headache. NCs really do not require aging, and it may even be detrimental. The tobacco is fully fermented and is smokable right out of the box. True aging will just decrease the flavor and strength. Many Cubans, on the other hand, are rolled with tobacco not fully fermented, and they do require a few years aging to be a decent smoke. Not all of them are like that, but many are.

Different cigars require different humidities. I smoke mostly Nicaraguan puros with corojo hybrid wrappers, and they require 68-70% with their thick wrapper. Cuban wrappers are thinner, and do best around 65%. In general, low humidity will produce a drier, hotter, harsh, and less flavorful smoke. Higher humidity will yield a more flavorful fuller bodied smoke, unless of course you go too high in which case the smoke will be bitter and acrid.

[smphilli]

On the oliva website.....Oliva Cigar they say that cigars should be aged at 79%, which is definitely higher......i think ill trust the people that make some of the best cigars out today

[smphilli]

70-79 i apologize

[Acesfull]

I think what you are referring to is an experiment Oliva did where they stored some cigars at 80% humidity for a few years to age them at like 50 degrees F.. I cant remember but it was really cold to see what the effects were but if I recall this correctly... and this is from a 3rd party where I heard this not directly from Oliva... the outcome was the same as if you stored them at 70/70 or around there.

[smphilli]

no, go on their website and look under cigar fundamentals

[GlockG23]

I like Phantom57 post somewhat. Phantom57 please do not get offended but I am going to chop quote it

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Likewise, I don't consider anything under 24 months aging.

don't agree

Originally Posted by Phantom57

The best thing to truly age in is a cooler, they maintain humidity much better than even expensive humidors and are a lot less headache.

Agree

Originally Posted by Phantom57

NCs really do not require aging, and it may even be detrimental. The tobacco is fully fermented and is smokable right out of the box. True aging will just decrease the flavor and strength.

I will age a NC just to decrease the flavor and strength

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Different cigars require different humidities.

Agree

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Cuban wrappers are thinner, and do best around 65%.

All thin wrapper cigars

Originally Posted by Phantom57

In general, low humidity will produce a drier, hotter, harsh, and less flavorful smoke. Higher humidity will yield a more flavorful fuller bodied smoke, unless of course you go too high in which case the smoke will be bitter and acrid.

right on

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those are just my opinions
Man this makes my post big and I will never do it again

[scottw]

I try to keep mine between 60 and 65 RH and 65 degrees. I have a fair amount of CC's that I think smoke awful when stored at 70 RH. Most of my smokes are a minimum of 2 years old with some boxes 11-12 years old and I have one stick in there that is supposedly from 1926.

[6clicks]

I was herfing with a frend the other day who told me that he keeps his cigars at 80% RH. He dry boxes them for a couple of days before he smokes them and says they're perfect. I would think that the filler leaves would remain damp while the wrapper got dry. Ever hear of this? I keep mine at 65% with beads and that seems to be just right for me.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by 6clicks

I was herfing with a frend the other day who told me that he keeps his cigars at 80% RH. He dry boxes them for a couple of days before he smokes them and says they're perfect. I would think that the filler leaves would remain damp while the wrapper got dry. Ever hear of this? I keep mine at 65% with beads and that seems to be just right for me.

I would think he'd have lots of problems with split wrappers. Have you ever asked him what's behind his logic? Seems to me it's easier to store them at what you like to smoke them at instead of having to dry box for days.

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by 6clicks

I was herfing with a frend the other day who told me that he keeps his cigars at 80% RH. He dry boxes them for a couple of days before he smokes them and says they're perfect. I would think that the filler leaves would remain damp while the wrapper got dry. Ever hear of this?

That's a new one to me. I would think you'd need to drybox the cigars for at least a week or two if they've been stored at 80%.