Expert: James Yee - 6/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I recently returned from Cuba with approximately 35 Cohiba's (2 Castro's, 20-25 various other sizes), 4 Montecristo's and Romeo & Juliet (1 Churchill R & J).

My humidor is reading 66-69 humidity, but the temperature on my hygrometer/thermometer has not changed much from 75 and I am keeping it in a cupboard out of direct sunlight.  I am worried that this will affect my cigars negatively.  I calibrated the hygrometer by doing th esalt in a bag method, and still the temp remained at 75, fluctuating to 74 on rare occasion.

They are not dried out, actually 'tough spongy' to the touch...I have included a couple pictures for your review and would appreciate any advice you can give as I am nervous about rot, and I am also nervous about them drying out!

Any help/advice you can provide would be very much appreciated.

Best regards,

Mike De Petrillo

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

It would be better to store your humidor in your basement or a closet as they are much cooler than cupboards.  Cupboards - although away from direct sunlight - are usually not very cool; especially during hot seasonal months.

If you live in an apartment and do not have a basement/cellar, keep your humidor in the coolest room possible.  Use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature of each room in your home.  Even a one degree drop in temperature helps so find the coolest room in your home and store your humidor there.  If you need to, keep your humidor in an air-conditioned room.

"Tough spongy" sounds fine but your temperature is what can be problematic.  At 75 degrees, tobacco beetles can incubate and hatch in your cigars.  (These beetles usually run rampant around 80 degrees but can appear at 75 degrees.)  It's best to keep your temperature less than 74% (70% is ideal).

As an alternative, you may want to consider upgrading to a thermo-electric humidor that allows you to custom set your desired temperature level and your humidor will automatically maintain it.  You can also retro-fit a wine fridge to store your humidor and additional boxes of cigars.  You can line the wine fridge with Spanish cedar panels and add an electronic humidifier.  If you do choose this method, make sure the wine fridge has temperature control that can reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

I hope this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: This is great info James - thanks very much for your prompt reply!

As I am a little paranoid about these cigars going bad, I read that freezing them for 48 hours in a ziploc bag, then letting them 'thaw' for another 24 hrs in the refrigerator before returning to the humidor may kill any potential insect issues.  

Would you recommend this or am I good for now in your estimation by moving the humidor to a cooler spot?  As I mentioned, the temp hasn't exceeded 75 (was 74 this morning) and have only been stored since May 25.

Thanks,

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

There's no need to freeze your cigars now.  Your humidor's humidity has only touched on 75 degrees for a very short time so your cigars are really not in any danger.  It's only necessary to freeze your cigars if they've been exposed to temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit for an extensively prolonged amount of time.  Also, be sure to monitor your cigars on a daily basis.  If you see any small holes or irregular bumps on the cigars, freeze them immediately as the bumps and holes are caused by tobacco beetles trying to chew their way out.

As long as your humidity level is between 67-73% and your temperature does not exceed 75 degrees (again, 70% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal) for a long period of time, your cigars are safe.

Regards,
James