AboutJames 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 15 dedicated years of cigar smoking (an average 4 cigars a day) 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.
Question James,
I just bought a new humidor and started to season it. I wipe it down about four to five times with distilled water and it still seem low. So I bought a bottle of propylene glycol from the cigar store. I used it to wipe down humidor instead of the distilled water was that OK? Was I supposed to add it to my humidifier only? Now it seems to hold around 65-70. In the long run will this screw up my humidor?
Thanks,
JR
Answer Hi JR,
You're not supposed to wipe your humidor down with propylene glycol. PG is only meant to be used in a humidification device. PG basically forms a liquid membrane over water to restrict humidity output. You only need to add PG to a humidification device when the humidity is extremely high (75% humidity or higher). If the humidity level in your humidor is normal (74% humidity or lower; 70% is ideal), you don't need to add PG. Wiping the entire interior of a humidor with PG can cause the humidor to absorb and regulate humidity poorly. The good news is that you didn't ruin your humidor permanently but it will need time for the PG to dissipate.
Your humidor can achieve 70% humidity now so that's perfect. Just add distilled water to your humidification device when needed. The propylene glycol in the wood will eventually dissipate so don't worry, you humidor isn't ruined.
Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
