65% RH or 70% RH - Which to Choose?

[N2Advnture]

65% RH or 70% RH - Which to Choose?

Everyone knows the old rule of thumb "70% RH & 70 degrees". This "rule" originally became from an insert that a cigar manufacturer put into their cigar boxes and since it was an easy to remember marketing tool, brick & mortar owners quickly grabbed onto it and passed it on their clients.

I believe the reason many cigar shops like the 70% "rule" is because by the time most clients get their cigars home and put them in their improper home storage conditions, the cigars sold by brick & mortar cigar shops end up being smoked in the low to mid 60%s RH ranges anyway. But that's just my opinion with no data to back that up at all.

The choice between storing your cigars at 65% RH or 70% RH is first and foremost should completely based on personal preference. Some people prefer the "wetter" smoke that 70% RH delivers and others prefer the drier smoking experience of 65% RH.

With that said, many cigar aficionados actually prefer storing their cigars at 65% RH for several reasons.

1.) You will experience far fewer draw problems (on average) with a cigar stored at 65% RH as opposed to 70% RH.

2.) You will experience far fewer burn problems (on average) with a cigar stored at 65% RH as opposed to 70% RH.

3.) You should experience better flavor maturation and aging with a cigar stored at 65% RH as opposed to 70% RH.

After switching to 65% RH storage conditions nearly 10 years ago, I have experienced virtually ZERO draw, burn and flavor problems that couldn't be associated with construction problems of the cigar instead of RH storage conditions.

Don't believe me? If you are currently storing your cigars at 70% RH, try this:

1.) Grab one of the cigars that you smoke on a regular basis and that you are very familiar with in regards to construction, flavor problem and typical burn patterns that you experience.

2.) Get a small humidor with NO humidification device in it.

3.) Prior to smoking your next cigar, let it rest in the "dry box" for 3-5 days prior to smoking it.

See if you notice a difference.

I hope this helps and happy smoking my friends!

~Mark


.

[ucubed]

65%...in Florida I have to dry box it even more with the humidity or the cigar will soke up the moisture...I just prefer the dryness of 65 over 70

[Dood]

Mark knows stuff!

Going from 70% to 65 % can solve a multitude of problems!

[Footbag]

I agree! 65 is the only way to go.

[K Baz]

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by K Baz

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

I think 60% is too dry for my tastes. The cigars become somewhat "Brittle", IMHO.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by K Baz

If you see these improvements in moving from 70 % to 65 % can further improvements be experienced moving from 65 % to 60 %.

Would this also prevent the need to dry box prior to smoking?

Hi Kevin,

Just like going from 70% to 65% RH, going from 65% to 60% is entirely what you prefer.

I personally like my stored between 63-65%, most HK collectors are mid 50s, UK collectors like them wet and the French like them soaking wet.

Before making a switch from 65% to 60%, I'd recommend setting up a small humidor and putting smokes in both the 65% and the 60% to see which you prefer.

65% seems to the preferred number as it's not too wet and not too dry...juuuuust righ

I hope this helps

~Mark

.

[longknocker]

QUOTE=Dood;14168]Mark knows stuff!

Going from 70% to 65 % can solve a multitude of problems![/quote]
Take this advice from a Pro! Mark has a great wealth of knowledge!

Even a Newb like me can see a big improvement with 65%RH.

[DrDubzz]

65% for sure, 70 is too wet for 99/100 cigars

even at 65 some dry-boxing is often necessary

[awsmith4]

I stay between 63 and 65%. Since going this direction I have definitely had less draw/burn issues

[AriesOpusX]

After switching to 65% I definitely had no more burn issues. 70% seems way too wet.

I've noticed less problems with draw/burn issues since switching to 65%.

I've read several places that 70% is better for aging since it keeps the oils wetter and they can mix together better. Oliva, one of my favorites, says to keep their puros at least at 70% for proper aging. My question to those with more experience here is:

Does 70% humidity age cigars better or just faster? I would think that the wetter environment would allow the oils to mix faster but maybe that's not a good thing.

[Da Klugs]

A couple years ago I contacted Dave at Heartfelt and asked if he could make me some 60% RH beads.

I like them very much for long term cooler storage and for my "ready to smoke" desktops and travel humis.

[K Baz]

I too am a 60 % fan for long term storage (thinking about going down to 55 %). I asked earlier as it appeared like the likely next question (in case anyone was afraid to ask).

I personally use 65 % beads but I use them dry and have never wetted them they are there to insure that the RH in my humi does not get about that 65 % range. Instead of checking to see if my beads are clear and recharging them I make sure they are all still white and would dry them out if they were not.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by ucubed

65%...in Florida I have to dry box it even more with the humidity or the cigar will soke up the moisture...I just prefer the dryness of 65 over 70

Yeah, Florida really makes it difficult...I have a constant battle to try and keep things under 68%...and if I take out a humidifier jar to try and get things lower then it dips too low...

[Sailchaser]

65% for me and I do keep a 60% dry box going for a few particular hand rolled sticks that I know are always to wet

[sofaman]

65% here

[Rockestone]

65%. That's how I "Roll".

I use the 70% beads and have not had any problems in several years. I think that what really matters is where you live and the humidity levels in your area. Where I live it is rather dry, so with 70% Heartfelt beads it stays between 65% and 70% in my vino.