Ageing cigars in a wine storage facility

[Deodato]

For the last couple of months I've been wondering how best to protect my beloved stogies from the upcoming Aussie summer. The coolest place in my house will still get to 80F from time to time and that feels a bit warm for cigars that I'm hoping to age over a period of years.

I thought about setting up a wine fridge as detailed on FoH but in the end moved my big cooler into a nearby wine storage facility where the temp is held at a steady 15C / 59F.

So my questions: does anyone else store long-term at that kind of temperature and will my 65% beads do as good a job at 15C as they do at 20C?

[Trevor2118]

For the last couple of months I've been wondering how best to protect my beloved stogies from the upcoming Aussie summer. The coolest place in my house will still get to 80F from time to time and that feels a bit warm for cigars that I'm hoping to age over a period of years.

I thought about setting up a wine fridge as detailed on FoH but in the end moved my big cooler into a nearby wine storage facility where the temp is held at a steady 15C / 59F.

So my questions: does anyone else store long-term at that kind of temperature and will my 65% beads do as good a job at 15C as they do at 20C?

What what level (%) does the wine storage facility maintain their humidity?

Edited October 25, 2011 by Trevor2118
Question clarified

[MrGlass]

The general consensus seems to be that storing at a lower temperature will prolong the aging period, but I couldn't see your environment doing any harm.

In regards to the beads, I would imagine they would be fine but are you going to be easily able to access your cooler to check the water level of the beads? I find that in my little desktop humidor I need to add water to the beads every couple of weeks.

Nick.

[Deodato]

Thanks guys. Access to the place is no problem... it's just a couple of blocks away so I can drop by every couple of weeks.

At home 65% beads hold a rock-steady 65% but from what I read, humidity will drop in a lower temp environment. So I'm wary that things'll dry out over an extended period...

[Deodato]

What what level (%) does the wine storage facility maintain their humidity?

Hmm. Good question. I didn't ask. I'll try to get a measurement.

[MrGlass]

will my 65% beads do as good a job at 15C as they do at 20C?

If you have the time, have a read of this post: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=106225&st=20

It goes into a fair bit of detail about beads and RH.

[thechenman]

Normally humidity in wine storage facilities are kept at levels where cigar storage is viable, meaning your cigars won't dry out. I speculate that part of the reason is to help maintain the integrity of the wine corks. Czar did, and I assume that they still will in their new storage facility, store cigars along with wine.

[Deodato]

Guys, thanks for all your help and suggestions.

After a few days of settling in, the inside of my cooler is holding steady at 15/59 degrees and 65% RH. Having read that other post, I was happy and a bit surprised to see 65%.

The ambient RH in the facility is a little over 70% so I guess that bodes well for the long-term. Yay!