Humidity comparison

[daverave999]

A while back I mentioned I was going to try two Trinidad Reyes from the same box at slightly different humidity levels to compare. I realise this is far from scientific but to go to the effort of comparing multiple cigars blind, eliminating all other sources of variance seemed a bit over the top. So don't consider this typical, I just thought some might be interested in what my perceived differences were.

I'd stored one of each from a box with the code OUR JUN 08 in two different environments. One was in an airtight jar with some 65% Boveda pouches,



and the other was in a tub that has 69% pouches in it. I've measured both environments for some months and they appeared be relatively consistent in staying at those RH levels.

These were the last two from this box of 24 so I reckon I have a reasonably good idea of what to expect from them.

The stick stored at 65% looked in absolutely beautiful condition and the draw and burn were also exceptional. The taste however, not quite up there. A little harsher than normal.

The stick stored at 69% wasn't quite so exciting to look at and the burn went a little awry, but the flavours were richer and deeper, with some notes present that weren't there in the other one. When I first bought these, they all had a liquorice or aniseed flavour that was quite obvious. That was not noticeable in the one stored at 65% but it was definitely present in this one. I much preferred smoking this stick.

I'd speculate that the increased moisture content makes it burn cooler (and slower) so it doesn't destroy the more subtle flavours when smoked. This is pure (educated?) guesswork obviously, but I was quite surprised at the noticeable difference in actual taste rather than just burn characteristics, that I can only assume is down to the difference in RH.

Has anyone else tried this? What did you find?

Following on from this, does anyone have separate storage for aging and smoking?

[EDIT] Forgot to put in links to blog posts: Outline, 65%, 69%

[Simon-JG-hr]

Interesting comparison Dave, I enjoyed reading about it on your blog. Whilst not having done a similar experiment, I have noticed that different cigars can behave differently even if stored at the same RH - particularly with some being lovely and firm to the touch, whilst the cigar lying alongside being closer to hard than firm.

When I win the lottery, or have a proper career, then I'd definitely look at getting a cabinet humidor to age a decent collection of cigars at a slightly lower RH. Now I've got two smallish humidors I will probably continue to use one at around 67% and another at around 70%, and play around with the various cigars to see which ones feel better in which humi.

[mackem keith]

very interesting post this goes to show how little percentage in humidity can have in flavour, burn and consistancy. personally ive always stuck to my golden rule in my humidors sticking to between 64% and 70% humidity this as always served me well.

[Lionhound]

Really interesting to hear your results, especially having recently posted on the subject of various humidities.
It seems that quite small rh change can make a considerable difference.
Do you also consider temperature? I don't, our heating cuts off at 10 so the room where I keep my humi's can be warm in the evening but a lot cooler through the day. I do however try to keep the rh @ around 70.

[Smallclub]

Following on from this, does anyone have separate storage for aging and smoking?

Yes, I store at 65%, and every month or so I take a number of cigars that I place in my two desktop humidors which are set at about 68/70%?

[cbob]

The biggest problem in comparing two cigars from the same box no matter what the humidity, temperature or time of the month is that it would be exceedingly rare to find two cigars that were rolled by the same roller using the same batch of tobacco. The boxes are filled by colour match off the sorting table and while there should be an overall characteristic flavour and strength due to the particular marca and vitola, one should not expect an exact match.
Trying the humidity difference test on a couple of custom-rolls could be valid, since you may actually know the torcedor and know when and with what tobaccos he/she rolled your smokes.

[cj121]

Nice post Dave and notwithstanding CBob's comments, another good piece of investigative cigarianna mate Thanks for the time and effort Dave

CBob, perhaps on your next trip, you could grab a couple of sticks off one of the torcedors down the main drag in Varadero and pull something similar together to compliment Dave's good effort here? Or, donate them to Dave for research purposes of course

Just a thought Dave: what about lopping a churchill or similarly sized stick in half as a means of eliminating potential leaf variance? If you want, I'll bung you one. PM me if you like.

[daverave999]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Do you also consider temperature?

I didn't in this case, but both the cigars were stored in the same room about a foot apart so I'm assuming they were the same. Glad I've got you thinking though.

Yes, I store at 65%, and every month or so I take a number of cigars that I place in my two desktop humidors which are set at about 68/70%?

What made you decide to do this? Experience or otherwise? I'm starting to think about doing this myself as the more I read the more I'm thinking that storage and smoking humidities should be different.

Trying the humidity difference test on a couple of custom-rolls could be valid, since you may actually know the torcedor and know when and with what tobaccos he/she rolled your smokes.

Unfortunately I'm not in the position to do that at the moment, but if I come across any custom rolls in the future I'll certainly try to give it a go. I know I could eliminate differences that way but I found the Reyes to be relatively consistent within that box-obviously I never know until I've smoked it though.

Just a thought Dave: what about lopping a churchill or similarly sized stick in half as a means of eliminating potential leaf variance?

I'm not sure that would be indicative-from my squeezings of cigars, they tend to be rolled tighter (or have more tobacco present) around the band where you hold so they may smoke differently because of that. I don't know whether the leaf used is different along the length either, and I'd also be concerned about it unravelling. I'm between a rock and a hard place really.

Does anyone agree with what I've found or think it's wrong?

[cj121]

In theory Dave, I'm on the same page as you mate.

Let's not let some potentially factual accuracies get in the way of a good experiement ay?Good stuff

[cbob]

CBob, perhaps on your next trip, you could grab a couple of sticks off one of the torcedors down the main drag in Varadero

that would not be my first choice for custom-rolled cigars

I'm looking forward to the research results on this topic. Scientific method is good.

[cj121]

Admittedly not Cbob, but at least it would eliminate a variable

[Robusto]

Don't slap me on the chops for the lack of science but I tend to find the same 65% - 69% taste/burn differences you cited in your first post here, Dave.

The thing I find difficult to do with a humi is to keep the humidity level concise over time. I expect people with electronic humidification (?) can do that, but I find ups and downs quite bizarre in mine at times. I'm doing all the right things and check it regularly.

I find a stick generally has more taste if stored towards 70%. I say that as a non-scientist.

I admire your willingness to experiment like this.

[goose165]

I notice that my cubans like to smoke better at say 62-65%.and my non-cubans at 70%I know nothing,as sgt,schultz would say(hogans heroes)