Every cigar enthusiast knows that proper storage is absolutely essential for maintaining the quality of your cigar. So much so, that humidity’s role in cigar preservation can mean the difference between a premium smoking experience and a disappointing one. Let’s explore how humidity affects your cigars and what you can do to protect your investment and have an enjoyable smoking experience.
What is the difference between moisture and humidity for cigars?
While often used interchangeably, moisture and humidity play very different roles when it comes to cigar preservation. Moisture refers to the actual water content within the tobacco leaves, affecting their physical structure and burn characteristics. Humidity, on the other hand, measures the amount of water vapour present in the surrounding air. Your cigars constantly interact with this atmospheric humidity, either gaining or losing moisture to reach equilibrium with their environment.
Why is humidity important for cigars?
Humidity maintains the essential oils and compounds that give cigars their distinctive flavours and aromas. Proper humidity levels ensure that the tobacco remains pliable yet firm, allowing for an even burn and optimal draw. In fact, humidity is the life force of your cigars – it preserves their character, prevents degradation, and maintains their structural integrity. Without proper humidity control, your premium cigars can quickly become compromised. The natural ageing process of cigars also depends heavily on correct humidity levels, allowing the tobacco to mature and develop more complex flavour profiles over time. This is particularly important for collectors who invest in aged cigars or plan to age their own collections.
What happens when humidity levels are incorrect?
Incorrect humidity levels can drastically affect your cigar’s performance and taste. Whether too high or too low, improper humidity can render even the finest cigars unsmokeable, potentially ruining your collection and investment. But what exactly does this do to your cigar?
1. Low humidity
When cigars are kept in conditions that are too dry, they become brittle and prone to cracking. The tobacco loses its essential oils, resulting in a harsh, hot smoke that burns too quickly. You’ll notice the wrapper becoming fragile and potentially unravelling during smoking. The flavour profile becomes flat and one-dimensional, losing the complexity that makes premium cigars special. This is often irreversible and even if you do expose your dry cigar to more humidity, the cigar will never taste as bold as it once did. Even short periods of low humidity can permanently damage cigars, making prevention crucial.
2. High humidity
Excess humidity creates its own set of problems. Cigars become spongy and difficult to draw, leading to an uneven burn and potential tunnelling. The elevated moisture content can promote mould growth, permanently damaging your collection. Over-humidified cigars often develop a bitter taste and require more frequent relighting, diminishing the overall smoking experience and potentially ruining the genuine flavour profile. In severe cases, tobacco beetles can appear in over-humidified environments, potentially destroying your entire collection. This risk is particularly high in warmer climates, where humidity control becomes even more essential for smokers.
3. Fluctuating humidity
Perhaps the most damaging is inconsistent humidity. Fluctuations cause cigars to expand and contract repeatedly, breaking down their internal structure. This stress can lead to wrapper damage, cracking, and degradation of the tobacco’s essential oils. Your cigars may develop hot spots, burn unevenly, and display inconsistent flavour profiles. Seasonal changes and varying storage locations can make this particularly challenging, requiring much more vigilant monitoring and regular adjustment of your humidification system throughout the year.
How to keep cigars at the right humidity levels
Protecting your cigar collection starts with proper storage equipment. A quality humidor is absolutely essential, but it’s the internal climate control that makes all the difference. The fundamental components include a reliable hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and an effective humidification system to maintain them. Two-way humidity control products are also particularly valuable, as they can both add and remove moisture as needed, providing more stable conditions than traditional systems. For collectors with even larger collections, cabinet humidors or electronic humidification systems are recommended so that you have precise control and greater peace of mind.
What is the best humidity level for a cigar humidor?
While acceptable humidity levels range from 65-72%, it is thought that 70% provides optimal conditions for most cigars. This level preserves the tobacco’s essential oils while preventing the issues that come with over-humidification. Interestingly, Cuban cigars tend to perform better at slightly lower humidity levels, around 65-68%. Your storage environment should also maintain a consistent temperature of about 21°C (70°F). Keep in mind that your local climate will influence how you achieve these ideal conditions – collectors in extreme climates might need additional equipment to maintain the perfect environment for their precious collections.
Proper humidity control is non-negotiable for preserving your cigar collection. With the right humidity management, you’ll ensure every cigar delivers the premium smoking experience it was crafted to provide. Don’t leave your valuable collection to chance!
