Storing ISOMs

[Shelby07]

You don't have to worry about that at all. Only thing is that if you want to keep them for long term, you might want to set aside a smaller humidor at a higher humidity (72-80%) for long term purposes (I'm talking years here).

Actually, I do just the opposite. CC's typically store and smoke better at a lower humidity -- usually 62-65%. And for long term storage (5-10 years) many folks in the know store at lower temps - like 55-60. But 65 degrees should be fine. Lower temps slow the aging down and helps the cigar become more balanced.

Marrying of flavors doesn't seem to be much of a problem, but if you are concerned, take some cedar strips and use them as separators in the box.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

thanks guys. sounds like I'm ok then. Do you guys do anything to control temp? I'm at the mercy of my AC, but i was wondering if there is anything like a temp controling Cigar Oasis?

[stjohnroe]

For longer term storage I use my cooler and discrete boxes, but to be honest I have not been looking after cigars for more than 10 years. For my dip ins I have two seperate humidors.

[Shelby07]

thanks guys. sounds like I'm ok then. Do you guys do anything to control temp? I'm at the mercy of my AC, but i was wondering if there is anything like a temp controling Cigar Oasis?

Unless you have a basement (don't think they dig basements in sandy areas, do they?) you might want to convert a wine cooler. I have seen lots of plans to do so on several different sites. I never really looked into it myself since I have a basement that stays pretty cool. The only concern I'd have is the unit pulling moisture out of the air, but it looks as if people have had good luck with them. You could also look at something like a temp/humidity controlled cabinet (here's one supplier.) They are kind of pricey, but if you're going to be doing this for a long time it might be worth the investment.

[BigMacFU]

Actually, I do just the opposite. CC's typically store and smoke better at a lower humidity -- usually 62-65%. And for long term storage (5-10 years) many folks in the know store at lower temps - like 55-60. But 65 degrees should be fine. Lower temps slow the aging down and helps the cigar become more balanced.

Marrying of flavors doesn't seem to be much of a problem, but if you are concerned, take some cedar strips and use them as separators in the box.

Ummmm, temperature and humidity are two very different things. For long term storage you want a higher humidity. I never even mentioned anything about temperature, but I have no doubt a little bit cooler is better.

[Shelby07]

Ummmm, temperature and humidity are two very different things. For long term storage you want a higher humidity. I never even mentioned anything about temperature, but I have no doubt a little bit cooler is better.

Temp and Humidity go hand in hand since they are both responsible for determining RH when given a specific water content. Recommending a 72-80% humidity without recommending a corresponding lower temp could lead to an environment conducive to tobacco beetle outbreaks. Most guidelines suggest keeping humidity as well as temp lower in order to avoid outbreaks and slowing the aging process, allowing the cigars to blend and age more uniformly. It seems that most CC smokers feel that they not only age but smoke better at lower RH (62-65%,) and dry boxing for a day or 2 is recommended before smoking them. I've recently started corresponding with several people who have been smoking and storing CC's for several years, and I have never heard anyone recommend storing at anything higher than 65/65 for long term storage (years) mostly because of the possibility of beetles. I don't know if higher RH's are recommended for long term storage of NC's since I am not interested in holding them long term.

There have also been studies that show that wrappers of the cigar are only porous up until about 65% RH. Higher than 65% and moisture cannot pass through the wrapper, so most of the moisture enters and leaves through the foot of the cigar causing the moisture throughout the cigar to be less uniform. This probably helps to explain why a cigar will usually burn and taste better after it's been dry boxed.

[BigMacFU]

blah blah blah.

Once again, I said nothing about temperature, why, because everyone knows (or at least Cabaiguan does) that cigars should never be above 70º*Fahrenheit if you really want to be sure the creepy crawlies don't come out. And as you pointed out, down around 60º is even better (hence the growth in popularity of the wine-fridge-o-dor).

Also, I never said store the cigars you want to smoke at a high RH, I said the ones you want to store for many years at a time needed the higher RH, so here is the only point we differ on. The fact is, when you go to Cigar storage facilities (esp. those storing specially aged cigars that are to come out many years later), they store the cigars at a higher RH. Why, because the more moisture outside the cigar means less moisture wants to escape from the cigar (no matter the location of where it can escape, head, foot, body), which means the oils stay put. Now, as you said, for smokes you want to smoke, you have to dry box them (or at least let them sit at a lower RH in your regular humi) if they've been kept at a higher RH. I keep my cooler which only houses smokes and short term aging at 60%, then I never have to do this.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled info session...

[Shelby07]

Sorry if you think I was somehow yanking your chain. It was not meant to come across that way.

Everything I have posted I've recently learned from several people who have done this for years. If there is additional information I'm missing concerning higher RH storage I'd appreciate a reference.

[BigMacFU]

Sorry if you think I was somehow yanking your chain. It was not meant to come across that way.

Everything I have posted I've recently learned from several people who have done this for years. If there is additional information I'm missing concerning higher RH storage I'd appreciate a reference.

When I was in the Dominican on a cigar manufacturer's inside look, they stored all their long term aging cigars at higher humidities with temperature control. Again, the basic issues of fluid dynamics (esp. concerning densities) were their reasons for doing so. You can call up manufacturer's for their reasons; I just left it at, "you guys do it, then it's probably the way to go." I never said I couldn't be wrong on the humidity thing, I am just passing on what manufacturers have told me.

[Shelby07]

When I was in the Dominican on a cigar manufacturer's inside look, they stored all their long term aging cigars at higher humidities with temperature control. Again, the basic issues of fluid dynamics (esp. concerning densities) were their reasons for doing so. You can call up manufacturer's for their reasons; I just left it at, "you guys do it, then it's probably the way to go." I never said I couldn't be wrong on the humidity thing, I am just passing on what manufacturers have told me.

Sean - Thanks for clarifying. I had not heard anything like that but it sounds pretty interesting.