Expert: M J Robbins - 6/10/2011

Question
QUESTION: Question 1) My humidor is at 64 to 65 degrees with humidity at 70 to 71%.  Is this humidity level okay? If not, what could the ill effects be of this?  I am using the 72% boveda packs.

Question 2) I have my humidor placed inside of a wine cooler.  There are two boxes of cigars placed in the humidor and a third box wouldn't fit so I have those cigars loosely placed in the humidor (still in their wrappers.  Is it a good idea to leave my cigars in their original box inside the humidor?

ANSWER: 1. Get the 75% Boveda at 64-65 degrees for perfection. The RH level will always be a little lower than stated so the exact RH will be around 73% and that is perfect. But if you like the cigars a tiny bit dryer you are fine. In Europe many stores keep the humidity a little lower like that exactly, 65 degrees 71% RH.

2. The original box is best - Squeeze a Boveda in as soon as there is room or take a few cigars out to make room.

Always put the Boveda packs right on top of the cigars.

Enjoy
Mike

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

QUESTION: 1) will definitely seek out the 75%. They didn't have these when I purchased the 72% in store.

2a) what about placing a boveda pack right on top of the cigars in their original box and just letting the box lid close lightly? It won't close all the way due to the boveda pack.

2b) the third boveda pack is in between the loose cigars in the humidor.  They are stacked four across and about five high so the boveda pack sits with about 12 underneath it and the remaining on top of the pack.

Answer
Put the Boveda packs in the box with the lid lightly closed that is fine.
Soon it will be closed as you take out a few cigars.

Put the Boveda pack right on top of the cigars.
In this case of stacked cigars you need 2 - 1 on top, always 1 on top, and 1 in between to be perfect.

Get the Boveda online for this 75% scenario.
I do not sell the 75%, only 72 and 69 RH for normal use in a humidor at 70 to 75 degrees which is normal for the traditional customers. If I had a customer with your custom set up I would order for him also the 75%.

Thanks for taking care of your cigars!

Mike