Cigars/humidity level
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Question
I currently have a humidor with about 50 cigars in it, My humidity level is around 78-80, is that safe?, If not how would I bring it down to a safe level.
Hi Brandon,
Your humidor's humidity should not exceed 74% humidity. (67-74% is the safe range for your cigars while 70% is considered perfect). When the humidity is above 75% or more, mold can start to form on your cigars so it's important that you lower your humidity as soon as possible.
To lower your humidity, you'll need to add a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol (PG) and distilled water to your humidor's humidification device. PG will properly balance your humidity out at 70% (which is the perfect humidity level for cigars.) It may take anywhere from a few days to a week for your humidity to stabilize after you've added the mixture.
Propylene Glycol can last a long time in your humidor (on average 2 years) so you only need to add this mixture just once. After this, simply add distilled water to your humidification device when needed.
You can buy PG at most cigar stores/tobacconists and pharmacies/drug stores.
Hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I'll be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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