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Accessory Discussion / Reviews>RH difference?
Chompers 07:33 PM 03-02-2009
Does anybody else not notice any difference in how their sticks smoke when they are rested between a certain RH%?

I just try to keep mine at 65%ish so they don't get to dry/wet.
Maybe I just haven't smoked long enough to tell..


So, for those of you that can notice a difference(I'm assuming I'm the only one who can't,:-)), what kind of change do you notice?
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karmaz00 08:37 PM 03-02-2009
i keep mine around 68-70 ...not to wet, but not dry enough to make them brittle
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icehog3 11:10 PM 03-02-2009
I find dryer than 60% leads them to burn hot, fast, and "nasty".

Above 68% and I have problems keeping them lit and burning straight.

I keep mine at 63% and prefer the way they smoke at that RH.

Keep in mind I smoke about 98% Cuban, and I understand that some people prefer their NCs closer to 70% than to 65%.
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Kreth 11:16 PM 03-02-2009
My humi runs 63-66%. I haven't had any burn issues with smokes that I've let rest a bit.
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Lucky_Hippo 07:07 AM 03-03-2009
:-) I used to keep my smokes at the hard set 70/70 rule back in the 1990s. That's what just about everyone strived for. Any magazine article, cigar book, or b&m owner swore by the 70/70 rule (70% humidity - 70 degrees) and anything else was kind of wrong. I had a lot of cigars tunnel, canoe and sputter out when not constantly puffed on. I'm no expert, but since the internet boards blew up over the last 7 or 8 years a new consensus by actual cigar smokers have generaly lowered that number to somewhere around 65%. I switched over about 4 years ago and couldn't be happier with the way my sticks burn now. If I have an issue with a tunnel, canoe or faint ember it's either a construction problem or they havn't been in the humi long enough to settle down.

Everyone has differnt taste and expectations from thier own cigars. I'd suggest keeping one at 70% and another at 63% (you can use tupperware) for a month and try them back to back to see if you notice any preference.

Enjoy!!
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md4958 07:21 AM 03-03-2009
I prefer to smoke on the drier side of 65%.

I have smoked sticks stored at 55%... you have to sip on them so they dont overheat.
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Cigary 10:02 AM 03-03-2009
I keep my cigars between 68 and 70% and always have a great cigar burn. I also dry box them for a day at least before smoking. This routine gives me optimum smokeability. Everyone has their own routine as to how they like their 'gars',,,I don't like a cigar that has a 60-64 RH,,just burns too dry for my tastes,,,but that's me.
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kaisersozei 10:32 AM 03-03-2009
I have coolidor sticks at 70/70% and a humi that runs around 68/62-65. The humi struggles to maintain 60-63 in the winter. I let my cooler sticks drybox for a day or so prior to smoking, otherwise they just burn funny; my humi sticks are typically razor straight and draw much better. ymmv :-)
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NCRadioMan 01:42 PM 03-03-2009
Originally Posted by icehog3:
I find dryer than 60% leads them to burn hot, fast, and "nasty".

Above 68% and I have problems keeping them lit and burning straight.

I keep mine at 63% and prefer the way they smoke at that RH.

Keep in mind I smoke about 98% Cuban, and I understand that some people prefer their NCs closer to 70% than to 65%.
:-) Same here but I also prefer my nc's at the same low rh too. Of course, 99% of my nc's are Pepins and he says to store his cigars between 60-65 for optimum enjoyment. When stored too wet, I find they are a bit harsh and the flavors are muted as well.
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icehog3 02:24 PM 03-03-2009
Originally Posted by Cigary:
I keep my cigars between 68 and 70% and always have a great cigar burn. I also dry box them for a day at least before smoking. This routine gives me optimum smokeability. Everyone has their own routine as to how they like their 'gars',,,I don't like a cigar that has a 60-64 RH,,just burns too dry for my tastes,,,but that's me.
Don't you think that if you store a cigar at 68%, dry box it for a day or more, then you are smoking it when the RH has reached 64% or less? I would guess the RH would drop at least 4% in >24 hours of dryboxing, so what's the difference between that and a cigar stored at 64%? Not being a smart-arse, really curious about the logic. :-)
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WildBlueSooner 04:28 PM 03-03-2009
My humi usually hovers between 67-69%. I have not had any problems yet. Temp wise it is at 66F right now.
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Starscream 05:05 PM 03-03-2009
60-65 for me. I tend to have burn and draw issues w/ sticks that rest at 67 and up.
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Smokin Gator 05:47 PM 03-03-2009
Originally Posted by icehog3:
Don't you think that if you store a cigar at 68%, dry box it for a day or more, then you are smoking it when the RH has reached 64% or less? I would guess the RH would drop at least 4% in >24 hours of dryboxing, so what's the difference between that and a cigar stored at 64%? Not being a smart-arse, really curious about the logic. :-)
I thought the same thing... I am curious!!!

I keep most of my sticks at about 65% and dry box smaller RG stuff for a day or so. Most of the time that works for me.
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DocLogic77 06:46 PM 03-03-2009
60-65% for me...and I know a few knowledgeable BOTL who keep theirs lower. 70 is way too wet.
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WildBlueSooner 07:55 PM 03-03-2009
Originally Posted by DocLogic77:
60-65% for me...and I know a few knowledgeable BOTL who keep theirs lower. 70 is way too wet.
Maybe way to wet for you. I have smoked many sticks at 70 and enjoyed them. However, I do prefer around 68%
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ucla695 09:11 PM 03-03-2009
62-65% here. I haven't had many draw, burn problems at these levels. :-)
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DocLogic77 09:23 PM 03-03-2009
Originally Posted by WildBlueSooner:
Maybe way to wet for you. I have smoked many sticks at 70 and enjoyed them. However, I do prefer around 68%
Yes, too wet for me...sorry I didn't clarify. :-) I believe the french like theirs higher than 70% so to each their own. But, I have also noticed alot of burn issues with my sticks on the higher humidity side.
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TomHagen 10:14 PM 03-03-2009
I aim for 67%. One long term humi is at 67-69, short-term/ready to smoke at 63-67%.

Pete Johnson from Tat keeps his walk-in at 67-68, and I smoke a lot of Tat, DPG, CC, so I go for that range and have been successful for my taste. 63 and under is too low for me.
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Chompers 12:10 AM 03-04-2009
Thanks for the responses guys!

I'll have to test a couple smokes and see what would be prime for my smoking, but right now I'm good with my RH.
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WildBlueSooner 06:21 AM 03-04-2009
Originally Posted by DocLogic77:
Yes, too wet for me...sorry I didn't clarify. :-) I believe the french like theirs higher than 70% so to each their own. But, I have also noticed alot of burn issues with my sticks on the higher humidity side.
Perhaps I will have to try a little lower. Maybe I will like cigars even more :-)
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