Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 1/26/2009

Question
I have a couple of humidors and they maintain a 70% level but I'm getting some splitting of wrapper and sometimes they will self self-destructor when smoking them.
I posed this question to my on-line cigar source and was told to raise level to 80% - this just doesn't sound like good info - what do you think?
Thanks, Steve

Answer
Steve,

You're right, that sounds like bad advice. If your cigars get over-humidified they will swell up and the wrappers will split. 70% relative humidity is perfect if your temperature is 70 degrees, but if your temperature is more like 74, then your relative humidity (humidity relative to temperature) should be around 66%. If you feel like your humidity level is correct - your cigars are not getting "spongy" - then you may be experiencing some normal cracking. I've found that some wrappers - Cameroon in particular - crack very easily and it is not uncommon for them to break while smoking. Also, if the binder is not strong enough to hold the filler as tight as it is when it comes out of the mold or if the binder leaf is simply too small, you can also experience cracking of wrapper. These are typically signs of poor construction from less than great manufacturers, but I have seen a lot of this in the larger sizes of Excalibur cigars. Made with Connecticut shade wrapper, which is not super-strong, is is not uncommon at all to see these cigars spilt when I open a new box.

If you have any doubts about the accuracy of your hygrometer, send me your email and I'll send you a paper on calibrating it and some basics on cigar storage. b.finck@finckcigarcompany.com

Hope this helps.
Bill