Expert: James Yee - 1/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I live in Pittsburgh, PA, it's winter and the air in my house is at 50%RH, temparatures range from 62 - 68.  My Humidor runs at between 64 - 68%RH using one humidifier.  If I go to two humidifiers I can hit 70 - 74% RH.  In both cases my cigars don't taste close to what the did when I bought them in October 2008. They especially taste bad when I went to two humidifiers. The cigar taste is harsh not smooth to the palette.

Any advice

Any advice

ANSWER: Hi Brian,

An unusual taste in your cigars can usually be attributed to too much propylene glycol (or 50/50 mixture) being used or using water (particularly hard water) that is not 100% distilled in your humidor.  When this happens, your cigars can develop a harsh, bitter, alkaline taste.  What I suggest is that you use two humidifiers but make sure that you are using 100% distilled water.  With two humidifiers, your humidor is between 70-74% and this is perfectly fine.  With one humidifier however, you're only reaching 64-68% humidity and lack of humidity can also cause your cigars to taste funny.

I'm not sure how old your humidor is but if the aquafoam core in your humidifiers are old and have turned brown, it's best to also replace them.  Also, if you have been using propylene glycol in your humidifiers for more than 2 years, it's also best to replace it with a new dosage as old PG can add a harsh taste to your cigars over time.

Hopes this helps.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: Thanks James. My humidifiers are about a year old.  They are three inch sticks with a white sponge inside that I purchased from JR cigars.  I have used the PG formula with these several times but mostly distilled water, so maybe I did overdo the PG.  I guess I should throw out the humidifiers.  Do you have a recommendation for a low maintenance good quality humidifiers?  Also are my cigars shot?  Also my humidor is about 7 years old. I did use tap water at one time but changed to distilled about a year ago. The cigar tasted good this summer and fall. It's a glass top are they better or worse than solid tops

Answer
Hi Brian,

I actually prefer to use cellulose polymer humidifiers such as crystals, beads and gel pillows because they are less susceptible to bacteria and perform slightly longer than aquafoam-based humidification devices.  It's hard to say whether or not your cigars are shot but with a proper dosage of PG and fresh distilled water, they should eventually be OK.  Tap water can also give your cigars a metallic, alkaline taste so that might explain why your cigars taste weird.  Don't worry, since you switched to distilled water, your cigars should be better over time.  

As for glass-top humidors, I find that they can be just as good as solid top humidors as long as they're well-constructed and the glass inlay is well sealed.  It's also important that you keep your humidor away from direct sunlight because the sunlight can actually bleach your cigars and this will give your cigars a bland taste.

Hopes this helps.

Regards,
James