Cigar advice

[skysail]

I know there are some experienced cigar smokers here, and I have a question. I bought a new 50 count humidor a little while ago. I calibrated the hygrometer, seasoned the box, and got it at a steady 68ish % RH. Then I added maybe 10 cigars. The RH moved everyday, about 68 in the morning to about 64 in the evenings. I'm ok with that. I bought a mega sampler and added 20 cigars. The RH dropped to about 62-63 and is staying there. I have a shot glass of distilled water and a standard cheap humidifier that I dunk in water every one in a while. Is 63% ok? Will it slowly climb back up? The humidor is almost full, I can fit maybe 10 more toros in there.

 

[instymp]

I would dought your hygrometer. How do your cigars feel & smoke? Are they dry? I bet not. I have 2 humidors & 1 I haven't added any distilled in 2 months, because of the way they smoke.

 

[instymp]

Doubt = & I cant spell

 

[skysail]

Cigars smoked good. Just dropped when I added a lot more in there

 

[macattack]

68-70% is ideal. I would go by the feel or smoke of your cigars before being 100% certain on the hygrometer, as instymp pointed out.

 

[instymp]

If you leave the lid open, it might drop. After you add the cigars, providing you bought cigars from a reputable provider, it should rise. Because they keep them right. When I get a new order of cigars, the humidity of the cigars keep the overall humidity in the humidor acceptable.

Some of this stuff gets nuts, pull em, smokem em, & decide what taste good to you.

MHO

 

[cigrmaster]

I kept my cigars at 62-65 percent humidity for years and found they smoke better at that range. In my opinion 70% is way too high unless you live in a really dry climate.

 

[voorhees]

I keep mine at 64-68. 70 is too high for me.

 

[buzkirk]

low 60's is perfect for smoking
Tom

 

[skysail]

Ok thanks. Sounds good to me.

 

[seanavan]

This has been interesting to read. I've heard/read for years that 68-70% was ideal as well but have found that my cigars are usually to humid in that range and prone to splitting. I find 63-65% is a lot better as far as flavor and smokeability go. Interesting to read that so many others are of the same opinion when 'conventional wisdom' says otherwise.

 

[hawk60ce]

I need to get my humidor back together and take better care of it and stock it up again. This thread has given me the motivation. Thank you. Now less money for PAD & TAD...now CAD

 

[rd02sir]

Speaking of cheap cigars, does anyone know of online retailers that ship discreetly? i.e. List hobby supplies...pm me with any info. Thanks!!
Also can someone give me suggestions on cigars? I usually smoke cuban montecristo no 4&5. And I'm a big fan of Arturo Fuente Chateu Fuente Natural. Love those ones. I'm looking for similar, at not too expensive (US the Fuente is about $4.50 in Canada it's about $13-15.
Thanks!
Sorry for hijacking.

 

[badbriar]

If you like Fuentes, try the 858 maduro, CAO's La Traviata maduro and La Gloria Cubano serie N maduro. Excellent sticks and all are under $5.00. Another that is superb is Liga's Undercrown maduro. That one is around $7.50 for the robusto size. One of my favorites is Patel's Edge maduro. All of these are very smooth, medium strength

with good draw. For a little stronger cigar, try Patel's vintage 1992 and 1990. Also, the Oliva V is nice, but more in the full range. I keep several of these in stock at all times - my go-to's. Forgot to mention Coronas Cigars - they ship. Look for deals with free shipping.

bb

 

[rd02sir]

thank you badbriar! I was looking at the 858 maduro and CAO La Traviata maduro, I might order me a few when the funds allow. Thanks for the tips!

 

[rd02sir]

yeah i just read that. Damn...

 

[skysail]

Yes there are plenty of good deals to be found with the seconds. I haven't bought any yet cause I don't enough room in my humidor, prolly time to set up a coolidor 8O
I have done some research, and seems to me like most say 70% is too much. My previous sticks smoked well so I will try to keep it the same.