My Science project!

[DrBob]

Early in my cigar smoking days I did some trial and error and settled on 69% humidity for my humidor out here in the desert Southwest, and things have been pretty good, but now with a nicely controlled wineador, I have had thoughts of retesting to figure out my ideal humidity, and as I am a scientist I put a little thought into it:

Supplies:

1) One box of four month rested (at 69%) La Perla Habana Morado's. A nice 93 rated medium-full cigar that I enjoy
2) Four Boveda packs in 62%, 65%, 69%, and 72%
3) A food sealer
4) Three willing test subjects
5) My wife.

The experiment:

Hermetically seal three cigars and one boveda pack into a total of four separate packages, leaving air in the bags. DONE!

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Place the sealed pouches in a 70 degrees, dark place DONE!

Wait two months for the cigars to acclimatize to the humidity inside its own sealed enviroment. DONE!

At the end of the acclimatization period the cigars will be six months rested and at the required humidity's, then the fun starts! I have identified myself and two other noble test subjects willing to sacrifice for the cause of science. One who keeps his cigars at 69% (me), one at 72%, and one around 70%... At the end of the waiting period my wife will grab a pouch at random, open it, and distribute the cigars to each of the three test subjects. We will then smoke them, taking copious notes and photos, and give them a rating without knowing which humidity it was until the end of the experiment. We will repeat this over the course of a week until all 4 humidity's have been sampled and rated.

Some statistics will ensue, and a winner will be declared!

Stay tuned until Mid July...

So a little later than mid-July...

But the test is on! I waited a little longer to make sure all cigars are fully acclimated, and tonight the first pouch will be opened by my lovely assistant and the three test subjects will smoke and take notes (and photos) while being unaware of the humidity of the cigar until after all 4 tests are completed!

Stay tuned for first sample update tonight! I will post my own reviews and may try and get the other participants to post as well. In any case I will provide a summary when the humidity's are revealed and my conclusions in this post at the end of the experiment.

Testing completed!

Reviews of each of the four tests can be found at the end of page 3 and beginning og page 4. A summary of results can be found immediately after.

Hope you enjoyed my project as much as I did!

Dr. Bob

[JollyRogers]

Very well thought out, looking forward to the results! Y'all should v-herf during testing...I'm sure there could be some hilarity involved!

[Ilroy]

I also am interested in your results, as I live in a desert climate as well. I've often wondered how much the outside RH levels affect what I have nicely stored in my wineador.

[Zeede]

I look forward to reading the results!

If I may make a suggestion: Make sure your wife keeps track of which humidity levels were opened when, but to not share that information with you guys until the fourth and final tasting notes are in. Otherwise by the fourth one you guys will know which one you are smoking from process of elimination.

[DrBob]

I look forward to reading the results!

If I may make a suggestion: Make sure your wife keeps track of which humidity levels were opened when, but to not share that information with you guys until the fourth and final tasting notes are in. Otherwise by the fourth one you guys will know which one you are smoking from process of elimination.

My thoughts exactly, want as a blind a study as we can manage

[Bruck]

Very good, Bob! About time someone got sciency around here :)

[Billb1960]

Subscribed

[AlanS]

Bob Nye the science guy, youve got my attention!

[OtismyMan]

Interested to see the final results....

[Tombstone]

Thank for sharing it with us. The results should be interesting.

[Demuths1770]

:popcorn: in for some results!! this is a really cool idea

[CoachDread]

Now THIS is how it is done! Awesome controlled study. Thanks for sharing, I am really looking forward to the results.

[DLtoker]

Thank you for your motivation. Have been interested in doing this for years. Cheers.

[droy1958]

:popcorn: I'll buy a ticket for the show...

[AK47]

Great experiment, will be checking in when the results are up for sure!

[LGHT]

I hate to throw a wrench into the experiment, but you didn't compensate for the cello on/off theory.

[rodwha]

I'm quite interested as well, though from the opposite perspective in that the humidity levels here are quite high through most of the year and so I've been uncertain if I'd want a 65% or 69% Boveda pack with my upcoming order. From what I gather ambient humidity seems to effect the RH despite being fairly well sealed.

[Billb1960]

I hate to throw a wrench into the experiment, but you didn't compensate for the cello on/off theory.

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/9a/9a80c91ddda3b4cec4767e8722dc8380c8d9ff4b9679d5153a 9a2b1fbbfd634e.jpg

[DrBob]

trying to keep the variables manageable :) cello off on should be more of an aging experiment anyways...

[LGHT]

trying to keep the variables manageable :) cello off on should be more of an aging experiment anyways...

True, but you would be surprised in the difference cello makes in both allowing humidity in and out to reach the actual cigar. Your 62% pack is going to have a hard time doing much of anything especially in a month. As far as aging I still have some aged cigars with cello on, but it was the older thinner cello from the early 90's. That crap basically breaks down and crumbles into yellow dust after 10-15 years. However cello made in the mid to late 90's was a lot thicker and really holds up well over time.

[Zeede]

I trim the open end of the cello. That way it's just a sleeve to protect the wrapper.

[DrBob]

I am allowing a week per % in humidity drop, so a minimum of 7 weeks, so a bit more than a month, I based this on a rule of thumb found on this site and others, not sure of the impact of cellos on rate of humidity exchange.

[Zeede]

Many have said that cellophane breathes.

[DrBob]

So a little later than mid-July...

But the test is on! I waited a little longer to make sure all cigars are fully acclimated, and tonight the first pouch will be opened by my lovely assistant and the three test subjects will smoke and take notes (and photos) while being unaware of the humidity of the cigar until after all 4 tests are completed!

Stay tuned for first sample update tonight!

[Emperor Zurg]

http://nutees.net/image/cache/data/product_photo/funny/tryscience1-500x500.JPG

[sweaterman]

I trim the open end of the cello. That way it's just a sleeve to protect the wrapper.


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[Zeede]

I can't wait!

[Puros Abroad]

Ooooh, this is something Ive been curious to try lately, as well.... Ill wait for your results, first ;)

[DrBob]

Cigar #1 Humidity: ? (62% revealed after test)

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Nose: slight hint of hay and sweet tobacco

The Cigar does not appear oily at all, and is toothy. Cigar took a punch nicely and had an easy draw. cold draw was sweet and had a hint of hay.

First 1/3:

Initial taste was sweet with a slight hint of hay which quickly turned creamy with light leather and a noticeable sweetness. Cigar held a nice even burn throughout the first third and ashed at about 2 inches. The cigar produced large volumes of fragrant sweet smelling smoke, and towards the end of the first third settled nicely into light leather with an underlying sweetness.

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Second 1/3

Leather begins to intensify and occasional bursts of pepper begin to edge in. The cigar is still sweet and smokey. Ash again held for about 2 inches and sweet and spicy overtones continued with increasing leather and deepening flavors towards the end of the the second third.

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Last 1/3

Intensifying leather, more prominent pepper, and subtle sweetness hangs in though diminishing, towards the last inch some earthiness began to creep in. I reluctantly nubbed the cigar at 1 hour and 21 minutes, which is fast for me.

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Overall notes:

The cigar had a firm white ash which required minimal work to keep on the cigar. I had no relights and smoked the cigar at a faster than normal rate. I found the cigar to have decent complexity, excellent burn, and overall it burned perhaps a bit hotter than I normally prefer. I often have to double puff, and relight cigars, and this one I could easily get all the smoke and keep it burning with single big puffs.

[DrBob]

Cigar #2 Humidity: ? 69% revealed after test

So we smoked the first one, ate dinner, and decided our palates were good for another go. So we went at Cigar #2 later the same day.

Nose: Hay and Tobacco

The Cigar has a slight oily sheen, no noticeable toothiness, and while it took a punch nicely, had a very firm draw. Sweet hay dominated the pre-light taste.

3776

First 1/3:

An initial ephemeral burst of slightly sour creaminess. Twang?! Well maybe not exactly but very quickly settled into a just creamy. Medium volume of smoke, and a nice even burn, Some bursts of early pepper under a dominantly mild leather and sweet tobacco flavor. Initial one third seems a bit simple in flavor, whitish grey ash held well for about 2 inches.

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Second 1/3

Mild leather and more frequent bursts of pepper in the second third. Decent smoke volume, and diminishing sweetness as the leather intensifies through the second third. Some wrapper issues kick in, primarily from a bit of swelling of the cigar behind the burn line. The cigar remains enjoyable and the wrapper issues don't seem to affect the cigars burn other than in appearance.

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Last 1/3

Leathery and peppery, minor hints of sweetness on the occasional puff. At about the last 2 inches earthiness begins to creep in and draw becomes a bit tighter, though still producing good volumes of smoke. More frequent double puffing to keep cigar lit, and the wrapper continues minor failure due to swelling. Finally let it go at 1 hour and 32 minutes.

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Overall notes:

Firm grey/white ash which would hold for about 2 inches. Cigar was noticeably firm to draw throughout, and starting at mid cigar began to have minor swelling and some cracking of the wrapper. The cigar did require more work to keep going and producing smoke, with more frequent double puffs towards the nub. If I had not been taking notes and focusing on the cigar I would certainly have needed a relight or two.

[DrBob]

Cigar #3 Humidity: ? 72% revealed after test

Nose: Sweet hay

Appearance: Slight oily sheen, minor toothiness

Cold Draw: tobacco, and a hint of hay

3823

First 1/3:

Initial puffs have a bit of cream, twang, and light leather. Settles pretty quickly into just leather with a slightly bitter after note. Plenty of smoke but very monochromatic flavorin the first third. Slightly uneven burn, and the white flakey ash held about 1.5 inches.

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Second 1/3

Cigar remains predominantly leathery and the smoke is somewhat harsh starting the second third. Occasional sweet notes kick in but overall very monochromatic in flavor, though that single flavor is getting a little richer. Smoke seems a little hot on the draw.

3825

Last 1/3

A bit hot and dry. Leather dominates, big volumes of smoke, but still off putting bitter after tones. Smoke is notably hot, towards the nub more earthy and tarry and even hotter.

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Overall notes: Very simple in flavors, overall burned well, but had hot smoke throughout and disappointing bitter flavor notes. The cigar lasted about an hour and twenty minutes which was plenty long enough, though i put it down not very satisfied.

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[DrBob]

Cigar #4 Humidity: ?

Nose: Sweet tobacco, hint of hay

Appearance: Shiny, smooth, took a punch well.

Cold draw: Hay and sweet tobacco. Cigar very firm, but decent draw.

3828

First 1/3:

Cream and mild twang, tasty mild leather with hints of sweetness. Decent amount of smoke, burn slightly uneven to start. Cigar settles into light leather and subtle sweetness at about the 1 inch mark. Lots of fragrant smoke, cigar is tending towards a pretty well developed lopsided burn which i tried to fix with a touch up.

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Second 1/3

Ash held over 2 inches and just into the second third of the cigar. Partly because of the canoe support. After the ash fell the cigar attempted to go out, and I had burn issues throughout the second third, which was a bit frustrating due to the good volumes of fragrant rich mildly leathery smoke. Frequent double puffs and touch ups in the middle third, and cigar had a hard ash on the canoe Side.

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Last 1/3

At the start of the last third I cut the canoe off and gave the cigar a re-light. It finally began to behave better, and had a decent burn through the rest of the cigar. Flavors are leather and sweet spices, delivered through large volumes of flavorful smoke, and towards the middle of the third some pepper and earth began to kick in. A few minor wrapper issues, mainly due to the fresh cut, but the cigar ended well.

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Overall notes:

This cigar had good flavor, but the burn issues, extra puffing, and general maintenance detracted from its overall score. I think this was just a cigar with some construction issues, and the other two smokers did not have the same sort of issues I did, and reported decent flavor as well. Smoked about an hour and 22 minutes.

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[DrBob]

So the experiment is done, and the results tallied.

Based on flavor I rated the cigars from best to worst as: 1, 4, 2, 3. For burn and general construction: 1, 2, 4, 3. I also received ratings from the other two smokers and have tabulated the results below:

......Dr. Bob......John......Kris
Best:.....1...........2.........1
Next:.....2...........4.........2
Thrd:.....4...........1.........4
Wrst:.....3...........3.........3

John is the longest time smoker and is in his late fifties. Generally keeps his cigars about 70%, but when he lived in the south said often they were much higher. Kris is the second longest cigar smoker and is in his mid thirties. Kris likes to keep his cigars at 72% using a bovedas in a small wineador because he thinks that that humidity brings out more surface oils. I like to keep mine at 69% and also use a wineador with bovedas. 69% i came at through trial and error about a year ago, and I am late forties and have been smoking cigars for just under 2 years.

After we rated them my lovely assistant (AKA wife) revealed the humidities of each cigar to us. Prior to that point we had blindly smoked and rated them.

Humidities:

Cigar 1: 62%
Cigar 2: 69%
Cigar 3: 72%
Cigar 4: 65%

General observations: Overall we all liked cigar 3 (72%) the least. Two of us ranked cigar 1 (62%) the best and all of us had cigar 2 (69%) in our top two. Overall cigar 2 slightly edges out cigar 1 but its close in the numbers.

John most liked cigars in the range of 65-69% so slightly drier than he has been smoking them. Both Kris and I jumped from 62% to 69% for our top 2 cigars, but if based purely in flavor my personal ranking went 62%, 65%. 69%, 72%. Kris noted that all the cigars were fairly close in his ranking, though cigar 3, at his preferred humidity was clearly the least favorite...

So to summarize: We all preferred the flavor of drier cigars than we expected. I am somewhat concerned that storing cigars long term at 62% might deplete them of essential oils, but am considering keeping my main stock (>500 cigars) at the current 69%, and getting a secondary up on deck humidor to try some cigars at 65% and 62%.

Stay tuned for cigar experiment #2!

[Zeede]

I wish I could give you a dozen Thanks and Ring Gauge bumps for this!

It gets warm here, and I don't have a wineador, so I'm thinking I should go to a lower % RH for my next order of Bovedas for sure. Higher temps mean I need a lower RH%, since the moisture capacity of air increases with temp.

[Demuths1770]

when i started i was in the % of people that went with the 70% RH. as i got more into the forum and cigar smoking i was given 65% boveda. i will admit i was scared to store my cigars at this RH (even though many experienced smokers have been storing at 65 and below) my fear in the back of my head was it would be too dry. boy oh boy was i wrong!!! my sticks smokes so much better i didn't have burn issues and i started tasting flavors i didnt taste before! i have since dropped own to 62% and am still in love. i can tell a difference between one of my favorite sticks thats was resting at 62% and one that i grab at my B&M and light up right away which probably rested at 70-72%

[rodwha]

*Bad manners. Hijack averted. Sorry.*

[DrBob]

when i started i was in the % of people that went with the 70% RH. as i got more into the forum and cigar smoking i was given 65% boveda. i will admit i was scared to store my cigars at this RH (even though many experienced smokers have been storing at 65 and below) my fear in the back of my head was it would be too dry. boy oh boy was i wrong!!! my sticks smokes so much better i didn't have burn issues and i started tasting flavors i didnt taste before! i have since dropped own to 62% and am still in love. i can tell a difference between one of my favorite sticks thats was resting at 62% and one that i grab at my B&M and light up right away which probably rested at 70-72%

Definitely going to set up a second test, non-blind, where i compare several different cigars at 65 and 69%, and may takje a few more down to 62%. Having information I am now posed with what to do with it!

[droy1958]

I've never had a problem storing at 70 RH, the problem has been smoking at 70 RH. Thanks for your time and input....

[six10]

... but am considering keeping my main stock (>500 cigars) at the current 69%, and getting a secondary up on deck humidor to try some cigars at 65% and 62%.

FWIW this is what I do. Also with Boveda 69's. The 69's sometimes work in my ready to smoke 100 ct. wooden humidor too, depending on season. I just put less of them in.

Thanks for the experiment.

[Puros Abroad]

Great stuff, encouraging me to try it out on my own..