Storing Cigar in Wine Cellar

[Mazeman]

I have a 2 temp zone wine cellar that I want to also store my cigars in.. The temp on my reds where I want to store the cigars is 55 degree's.

I think I will build a cedar box or get some empties locally to store them in within the cellar and place a bowl of water near the internal fan..

What should my humidity be? Should I drill holes in the box's? Any advise..

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Seems like 55 degrees is a little cool for cigars.
A 70% humidity, for both wines and cigars is fine.

[cockyhoskins]

Seems like 55 degrees is a little cool for cigars.
A 70% humidity, for both wines and cigars is fine.

Exactly.

Walk-ins and wine cellars are actually constructed in very similar fashions. You shouldn't have any problems other than the temp and humidity. I like to keep my cigars at 65% RH, as I personally find that a lower RH gives me a better flavor.

[MadurosRock]

RH is RH, (and that's a seperate thread alltogether) but studies have shown that the RH and not the total humidity is what really matters, so the 55 i'm sure won't hurt anything (they might age a tad slower, but who keeps 'em long enough to age anyhow?) I'd let them warm up to room temp before lighting, but that's probably just me, and probably doesn't effect anyhitng.

[Mazeman]

Humidity is often talked about here. Temperature is an interssting question.

Here's from the cigargroup.com:

"What temperature is best for storage?
70 degrees. - although cooler storage temperatures are definitely not a problem for cigars (as long as you maintain a reasonable relative humidity).

Why do we attempt to keep them at 70 deg. then? The key is in the subtle difference between stable storage and true aging. Your cigars will not age, mature, mellow, or develop the complex character of well cured smokes at lower temperatures. The blended tobaccos will not "marry", and if you're keeping them for a long time you won't get the subtle changes in flavor.

There have been several long threads in a.s.c. on the need to age La Gloria Cubanas, for example. These will stay "green" much longer if aged at cooler temperatures.

At higher temperatures, there are several insects to worry about. The microscopic eggs of the dreaded tobacco beetle, for instance, hatch at temperatures above 80 degrees."

[macin]

Thanks guys.. I moved my red up to 65 and will get some empties from my local JRCigar. The RH currently is 55 so I'll pump that up some more..