The Why's Behind The Hows - Cigar Storage

**BLESKOP** · 05-15-2015, 05:55 AM

Don, thank you for the why’s behind the hows. I found it really informative and will keep it definitely close by for future reference.

**DLtoker** · 05-15-2015, 06:11 AM

This is fantastic. Great morning read.

**Herf N Turf** · 05-17-2015, 06:41 PM

Bums,

This is the final installment in this series. I hope it's helped a few people to get a handle on what's going on as we tread the path of perfect storage and the optimally stored cigar.

Chapter IV

HYGROMETERS

A hygrometer is the instrument that measures humidity. The two main types of hygrometers are analog and digital.

ANALOG

Analog hygrometers react mechanically to the ambient humidity and represent that value on a dial. Many high quality analog hygrometers use horse, or boar hair, which expands at a predictable rate when the humidity increases. These are extremely accurate and hold their own against the best digital models. In contrast, an analog that employs a metal wire, or ribbon should not be trusted, as they are far too temperature-sensitive to be accurate. They are typically what you see as OEM on most inexpensive humidors and should be tossed. Analog hygrometers may have to be calibrated approximately every six months to maintain accuracy. Many analog hygrometers have an adjustable dial in the back, or inside, that can be moved +/- with a small screwdriver.

DIGITAL

Digital hygrometers use electric currents to measure the ambient humidity and require batteries. Conventional wisdom suggests that digital hygrometers tend to be more accurate than analog hygrometers because of factory calibration. Better still, some digital hygrometers are adjustable after they leave the factory.

LIGHT & HEAT

Cigars are best kept in low-to-no light conditions. Overexposure to direct or indirect light will damage and fade cigar wrappers, via oxidation and encourage oil evaporation. In addition, light can create heat which will further damage the cigars. For these reasons, it is important to place your humidor away from direct sunlight where temperatures are as stable as possible.

HUMIDITY VARIATIONS

It is natural for any type of humidor to experience variations in humidity: no system is perfect. When a humidor begins to dry out, the cedar or dry air will begin to absorb moisture and oils away from the cigars, starting with the wrappers. If the cigar wrapper dries out, it can easily come off the binder, begin to unravel, and flake apart. Further drying will lead to the filler tobaccos being ruined as well. The loss of moisture halts the aging process and evaporates the essential oils that have been developed in a cigar. Controlling and minimizing variations in humidity is critical to proper cigar conditioning.

OVER HUMIDIFICATION & MOLD

Over humidification will inhibit aging, drown out the flavors of the tobacco, and impair the proper combustion rate. A "wet" cigar will taste sour or acrid, burn unevenly, and go out frequently. In addition, over humidification can lead to cigar mold growth. Cigar mold can be blue, grey, purple, or other colors, and can coat the wrapper as well as grow inside of the filler of the cigar. Cigar mold cannot be totally wiped off a cigar like plume/bloom - a haziness or stain will remain. Moldy cigars are ruined and not worthy of smoking.

HUMIDIFICATION

Over-humidified cigars may be brought back to optimal conditions very slowly. The process of lowering the humidity of the cigar must be done in one to two digit increments, with time (days or weeks) to rest and stabilize in between. Slow, incremental decreases in humidity are necessary to keep the wrapper, binder, and fillers in balance with each other. If any of the cigar’s components dehydrate too quickly, the construction of the cigar will be compromised.

UNDER HUMIDIFICATION

A dry cigar is a dead cigar. At what level of relative humidity does a cigar lose its characteristics and value? How dry is dead? The answer varies and many connoisseurs have differing opinions. The only irrefutable fact is that cigar aging requires a stable, humid environment for the proper organic decomposition to occur. During proper aging, a cigar will exude its essential oils. A dry cigar will neither produce or exude these oils. A dry cigar will lose its essential oils and the characteristics that made it an organoleptic delicacy. Depending on the level of dehydration, a dry cigar will probably never regain its original grandeur.

Cigar dehydration progresses from the outside in. First the wrapper will dry out and begin to release from the binder. At this stage, it is still possible to salvage the cigars with minimal damage to the filler tobaccos. Next, because they are less exposed to the dry ambient air, the binder and filler tobaccos will begin to dry. A very dry cigar will be dry to the core and lose all of its elasticity. This condition is usually hopeless and beyond resuscitation.

RE-HUMIDIFICATION

At some levels, it may be possible for an under-humidified cigar be brought back to near-optimal conditions very slowly. The process of raising the humidity of the cigar must be done in one to two digit increments, with time (days or weeks) to rest and stabilize in between. Slow, incremental increases in humidity are necessary to keep the wrapper, binder, and fillers in balance with each other. If any of the cigar’s components re-hydrate too quickly, the construction of the cigar will be compromised, and it could literally burst open.

PERFECT HUMIDIFICATION: PLUME

"Plume", also known as "bloom" is a naturally occuring by-product of long-term cigar aging. As the cigar's oils are exuded through the wrapper, they dry and crystalize on the outside. It appears as a white powder-like substance on the outside of the wrapper. Plume/bloom (pictured below) can be gently wiped off with no negative consequences to the cigar: it is significantly different than cigar mold.

LONG TERM AGING

In addition to the perfect climate, cigars benefit from occasional rotation in the humidor as well as a slight massage to loosen and redistribute the tobacco. Giving attentive and individual care to your cigars will ensure that mold, tobacco beetles, under/over humidification, water damage, and other unforeseen catastrophes will not ruin your prized collection.

As a practical note, all dissimilar cigars should be divided or segregated in a humidor to avoid flavor marrying. A Connecticut shade wrapper will be affected if it rests next to a Cameroon wrapper for an extended period of time. If a separate humidor is not available, a cedar sheet, cigar box, cellophane, or a cigar tube can be used to segregate cigars while aging. Keeping cigars in cellophane or a cigar tube will also add another layer of protection from humidity fluctuations. But, under ideal conditions, similar cigars should age together with wrappers touching and ready access to humid air so they can breathe: there is a synergy that occurs when groups of similar cigars age together.

What is definable about cigar aging is that it is the process of organic decomposition: slowly the cellular fabric of the cigar leaves will break down. During the first few years, or decade, the flavor of the cigar may develop and become bolder; but just like a bell curve, there will be a climax and then a gradual decline. Conversely, there may be an increase in aroma potency and complexity with the mellowing flavor. Changes in flavor and aroma are occurring every few weeks, months, and years. A well aged cigar will release any impurities like ammonia and acidity, yielding sweetness and subtleties in their place. Ultimately, the flavors and aromas of the leaves will blossom, giving way to nuances, depth, richness, and complexities that were once undiscovered.

While a cigar will age and develop well for a lifetime, the proper conditions must consistently exist for them to flourish. Flavor development and changes during cigar aging are nearly impossible to predict. The nuances and provenance of the leaf have infinite possibilities that cannot be easily determined. Fortunately, the joy of long-term cigar aging is discovering the promise of a well-conditioned cigar.