Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 12/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: My cigars have acquired a bad taste.  I not sure what the reason is, but here how I currently keep my cigars.  I have a 50ct humidor. I keep approx 20 cigars in the humidor.  I use distilled water in my humidifiers and the reading on my digital hygrometer rages 65 - 68 temp, 67 - 68 humidity.  Has the low temperatures effected my cigars?  I live in PA and it's winter, I don't keep my house at 70 degrees. When the weather was warmer my cigars tasted much better. Also could the fact that I don't keep my distilled water refrigerated cause a problem?  Appreciate your thoughts

ANSWER: Brian,

Storing cigars at low temperature will not affect their taste, and neither will the non-refrigerated distilled water.

A couple of possibilities:

1. Could the cigars be developing mold inside the filler? If the cigars are over humidified and feel like they have gotten a little too soft, the mold spores in the tobacco could be producing mold, which will give them a musty taste.

2. Is the humidor, or something else in the humidor, giving off a bad smell? If the humidor has glue in it, or of it is made with Spanish cedar plywood, the glue could be giving off a bad taste now that it has become moist from the humidifier.

Other than those options, I'm not sure what else could cause the problem. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What humidity levels should I be shooting for with storage temps ranging from 65 - 68?   I know 70 degrees 70% humidity is optimum, but since it's now winter and I keep my house cooler, I'm not sure what the optimum humidity should be.  Thanks

Answer
Brian,

Use this chart as a guide:

temperature      Relative Humidity
65          75
66          74
67          73
68          72
69          71
70          70
71          69
72          68
73          67
74          66
75          65

Bill