Cigar Storage Solutions – dry boxing.

Makes a great dry box for your cigars!

On a recent vacation, I returned home to find my humidor at 74%. I was used to seeing it hovering around 70%, and was alarmed by the increase in RH (relative humidity). While I was away, the weather was quite humid, and the door to my humidor had been unopened for a week. These factors are likely responsible for the moisture increase.

74% RH is dangerously high and bad for two reasons: it can facilitate mold growth, and split the wrapper at the cigar’s foot. Trying to smoke with a split foot is frustrating. First, you don’t get the full flavor of the cigar because the wrapper isn’t burning properly, and secondly, the stick will continue to split, ruining the cigar. To get back to my “comfort zone” of 70%, I relocated the humidifier’s sensor to an area most likely to maintain my preferred humidity. Experience has shown that its placement influences the action of the humidifier. Over the next few days, the humidity should get back to 70%. I smoke every day and let in dry air each time I open the closet door.

But I wanted to smoke a cigar upon my return home, and against my better judgment, chose a favorite stick for that purpose. I knew it was overly moist, but smoked it anyway. Sure enough, the cigar tasted harsh and bitter, a common symptom of over-humidification.

For aging, I like to keep my cigars around 70%. (The common wisdom of storing cigars at 70°/70% has worked well for me). I know that cigar vendors keep large inventories of cigars at 65% and 65°. But their goals are to keep mold and bugs at bay. I have found that 65% is great for smoking, but over time my cigars will eventually dry out. In order to avoid ruining my collection, I’d rather err on the side of more humidity.

Since visiting many cigar factories in Nicaragua and DR, I’ve gotten to like the flavor of slightly moister cigars. I love the fresh-rolled aroma of the stick when it comes out of the cellophane. And the extra richness that additional moisture provides is something I miss when a cigar is below 70%. But cigar flavor varies depending on its moisture, and finding the perfect balance of cigar flavors is hard to achieve. This is where dry boxing is the answer.

Dry boxing is the practice of placing cigars in a container without humidification, prior to smoking. This removes extra moisture, allowing for a better burn and less bitter tones. This takes a little planning, but it’s worth the extra effort. I take a handful of cigars I plan to smoke in the upcoming days, and put them in a travel humidor. Over the next week, the cigars will lose just enough moisture to bring them to perfect smoking condition. It’s amazing how great the cigars taste even after one full week of dry boxing. I use one of those plastic Herf-a-dor type road cases; they are perfect for dry boxing. But if you use a wooden box, you have to be careful that the sticks don’t get too dry. Experimentation is the best way to figure out what will work for your desired results.

Because cigar flavor changes drastically with moisture, it’s easy to misjudge the quality of a cigar if not properly stored and conditioned. Dry boxing is the best way to get the most flavor out of our cigars, and something I recommend everyone try. I wish I had the discipline to do it every time I smoke. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to plan ahead. But it makes a big difference and can make a good cigar into an awesome smoking experience.

Post script:

Days after my return home, my humidor closet is still at 74%, with my humidifier removed. Hopefully the rain will soon stop and my sticks can get back to their comfort zone.

Now, weeks later, my humidor is still hovering around 73%. But a hygrometer in one of my boxes reads 70% so I’m not too concerned. It is odd though, that suddenly I’m running above my normal RH.