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Cigars/Storing Cigar in 16-18 deg celcious and not 70 Ferhnhit which is 22 Celcious

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Expert: - 4/21/2008


Question
I store my cigar as instructed in all Cuban boxes 16-18 Ceclious and 65-70% humidity ,just can't understand james that you recomment 22 deg celcious which is 70 fehrnhait when there is a paper on all cuban brands that recomend another temp 16-18 celcious can yo explain please  thanks i appreciate ur affection as mine

Answer
Hi amr a. seoud,

Though people all over the world may store their cigars at different temperature levels, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the average and is always recommended.  A lot of people (especially North Americans) will even use the term "70/70" because it is easy to remember.  70/70 = 70% humidity, 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  70/70 is what many cigar collectors, cigar store owners and industry experts recommend.

However, this 70/70 rule is not written in stone and the safe temperature range for properly storing cigars is actually between 66 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 23 degrees Celcius) so people can store their cigars at a whatever level they are comfortable at as long as it remains within this range.  (Some people also prefer to keep their humidity at more or less than 70%; depending on their home/country environment and how humid the air is.)  If the temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the humidity will not be as effective.  If the temperature is above 75 degrees, tobacco beetle eggs in the cigars can incubate and hatch.

The only reason why 70 degrees is usually recommended is because it is a safe temperature level that is not too close to either 65 or 75 degrees.  70 degrees is right in the middle of the safe temperature range for cigars.

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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