Cigar enthusiasts understand that the journey of a cigar doesn't end with its purchase - it’s a process. Preserving the quality and flavor of cigars is a meticulous task, and the ideal humidity level plays a pivotal role in this endeavor. Personal preference plays a huge role in this discussion; as such, there is no perfect humidity percentage for every humidor. Here are a few things to consider when determine the ideal humidity level for your humidor: 

A Quick Overview of Cigar Humidity

Cigars are best stored in an environment where the relative humidity (RH) closely mimics the conditions in which they were rolled and aged. The generally accepted ideal humidity level for storing cigars is around 65% to 70% RH. Within this range, your cigars remain supple, the oils within the leaves retain their potency, and the flavors develop and mature gracefully.

As with everything in the cigar world, you want just enough of a certain thing to be effective. Too much can have severe consequences: cutting your cigar too low, smoking your cigars too hot, or providing too much humidity. 

Too Much Humidity

Excessive humidity can lead to a myriad of issues that compromise the quality of cigars. When cigars absorb too much moisture, they become overly moist and prone to mold and bacterial growth. The wrapper leaves (outer most layer) may crack, and the flavors can become muted or even unpleasant. This excess moisture not only affects the taste but also the burning characteristics of a cigar, causing it to go out and constantly need attention.

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Mold is a persistent concern in humid environments. It thrives in conditions above 75% RH and can quickly spread, rendering cigars unsmokable. Realistically, every point above 60% RH increases your chances for mold. For these reasons, it’s best to only use as much moisture as needed to keep your cigar tasting, burning, drawing, and aging optimally without going overboard. 

Insufficient Humidity

Conversely, a lack of humidity poses its own set of challenges. With less humidity, cigars tend to dry out, leading to even more problems. The tobacco becomes brittle, flavors may once again become harsh, your cigar may smoke too fast, and the burn can be uneven. The absence of sufficient humidity over time robs the cigars of their nuanced complexities, causing the oils to evaporate. 

There are plenty of people that say you can rehydrate a cigar - and you can, to a degree. But what’s rarely mentioned is that you can’t get back what was lost because the oils (flavor and strength) won’t come back. Yes, you can spend a lot of time carefully getting a cigar back to its ideal humidity so that you can light it up. No, it won’t taste like it should have.

Factors Affecting Humidity Control

Several external factors can influence the humidity level within a humidor, and understanding these variables is crucial for maintaining optimal storage conditions. Temperature, for instance, directly impacts the moisture-holding capacity of air. Therefore, keeping the humidor in a cool and stable environment is essential.

The quality of the humidor seal is another critical factor. A properly sealed humidor prevents the exchange of air between the inside and outside, helping to maintain a consistent humidity level. If you have a wooden humidor, you’re never going to achieve an airtight seal unless you’ve employed devices like weather stripping to shore an imperfect seal. That’s why larger wooden humidors require an active humidification system whereas plastic and acrylic humidors are easily satisfied with Boveda packs, a passive system that regulates humidity with salt crystals and purified water. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Beyond the hard and fast rules, personal preferences play a huge role in determining the ideal humidity level for storing cigars. Some enthusiasts like myself prefer a slightly drier environment, around 62-65% RH, arguing that it allows you to grab any cigar and enjoy it on the spot without the need for dry boxing or additional preparations. Theoretically the lower the RH, the shorter the aging window will be for those that like to sit on cigars for a long period of time, but I can comfortably say that I haven’t noticed any adverse symptoms with aging cigars for seven to eight years in this range. 

Others lean towards a higher humidity level, closer to 70%, believing it imparts a smoother and more luxurious smoking experience. And some even suggest to raise the fluctuate the humidity once or twice throughout the year to assist in the aging process. 

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As discussed in the article above, I personally think that many Dominican cigars taste better at higher humidity levels. I have not attempted to age any at 70% exactly because I prefer a less hands-on approach with my cabinet, but I do keep mine in an area of the cabinet that usually sits about 4-5 points higher than the rest of my cigars. My cabinet fluctuates between 62-68 even with multiple fans for airflow, and instead of beating my head against that wall I just consider the sections when putting new cigars inside. 

Experimentation is your friend. As long as your humidors are within 62-70% RH you’re already in the sweet spot - all that’s left is to dial it in to maximize your experience.