Optimal Humidity Levels For Peak Efficiency Storing Cigars
Optimal Humidity Levels For Peak Efficiency Storing Cigars
For years and years, tobacco enthusiasts the world over have treated cigars like the fine wine of their trade. Great care has been taken within the tobacconist community to craft methods of care and preservation that yield the most optimally aged and maintained cigars. This article aims to share some of that wisdom with you by illuminating methods of achieving proper moisture levels for cigar storage.
You might be wondering why this article focuses on moisture, of all factors, when considering the proper storage practices for cigars. This is because moisture affects humidity, which is one of the most essential factors that affects the overall longevity and aging process of a cigar. It is crucial to maintain the proper balance of humidity and temperature when considering how to preserve your fondly-purchased cigars. Humidity affects how moist or dry the environment of your cigar storage unit is. And speaking of units, careful cigar care demands the use of certain specialized instruments; there is simply no way around it.
Humidors are the best suited item for the purposes of proper cigar preservation, aging, and care. If you do not already possess one, consider the investment if you are an individual who cares about their cigar investments, or a budding enthusiast and/or connoisseur. These instruments regulate, with great precision and control, the storage environment of your cigars; as previously stated, they are a must have for individuals truly seeking to get the most out of their cigar purchases.
The first element this article will address is temperature, which is important because it affects humidity. You should aim to keep your humidor below 75 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
Cigars that have been preserved in an environment that is too moist will not burn as well as they should; it will be difficult to maintain their light, and they will be difficult to take draws from. Damp cigars will also sometimes release a smoke that is both sour in taste and smell, ruining the subtle flavor profile that is supposed to accompany a well-made cigar.
In contrast, but no less unfortunate, a cigar which is stored in an environment that dries it out results in the premature evaporation of certain essential oils that are within the tobacco and on the wrapping that encases it. This leads to the destruction of the subtle and nuanced flavor profile that the cigar was crafted in mind with. Furthermore, the smoke that comes from dry cigars is acrid and harsh to the palate. It is usually an obnoxious and overbearing flavor in strength and the degradation in flavor is obvious.
Now that you know the consequences of storing cigars in an improperly balanced environment, this article will discuss the hard numbers that should be considered in achieving proper humidity levels for cigar storage. Tobacco snobs and cigar enthusiasts have collectively agreed on an easy-to-remember ratio as a good standard to keep your humidor. The ratio is 70/70, meaning 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 70% relative humidity.
Though there are hardcore tobacconists who swear up and down that 70/70 is the only state you should ever keep your cigars in, there are many in the tobacco community who believe it can be a great deal more flexible than that. 60-70% is a workable range of maintenance, though as for temperature cigars should never be maintained in a temperature above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Proper moisture levels for cigar storage are an aspect of your cigar-owning experience that should not be neglected or ignored. The proper maintenance of cigars is essential in unlocking the full value and experience of smoking a well-crafted cigar; make sure that you get the best experience out of yours.
Learn about the advantages and benefits of using a Cigar hygrometer today! You can get the information about how a humidor hygrometer will help your cigars retain their flavor longer now.
