HELP - Problem with my humidor

[MC4]

I've come to the conclusion that my humidor makes the cigars in it taste flat.

I have a 150 count desk top humidor where I store some cigars in. I use two humidi-packs to keep it at 63 - 65% humidity.

I don't know why but for some reason, the cigars I store in them end up tasting flat and one dimensional, where the cigars from the same box, taste great when the are kept in their own box stored in a air sealed storage container.

Any ideas why this is happening?

[Cohiba Stevie]

When you say humidipak do you mean boveda packs?

If so what size are they?

It could be that they are too small or are starting to dry up thus not humidifying your cigars thoroughly.

The most likely reason though...

A leaky humidor. Check to ensure the humidor has a good seal. A simple test is to drop the lid closed from a short height. If it slams shut with no resistance the seal may not be sufficient. If there is some resistance with a satisfying thud you should be ok.

[MC4]

I put in two medium size Boveda packs in there. I have two other packs that I rotate in and out once the ones in the humidor gets close to getting dried out. I recharge the packs by putting them in a sealed Tupperware container and they get charged in a few days.

The humidor itself does have a decent resistance, i know this cause when I drop the door and I hear a swish as the air tries to escape(the door does not slams the box when closing it).

I've looked inside the humidor for mold but no sign.

[Colt45]

My first thought would be that the cigars are overhumidified - at least comparatively with the sealed boxes. Very generally speaking, I've found that "damper" cigars tend to be more muddled, muted. Perhaps take one or two from the humidor, and throw them in the sealed container for a time, then give them a try....

[potpest]

My humi is kept at 65 and I find if i smoke youngish cigars straight from it I get the same issue, however if I drybox for around 3-5 days before smoking it brings out the flavours.

I'm sure others might be able to offer more scientific advice, but this always works for me

[MC4]

My humi is kept at 65 and I find if i smoke youngish cigars straight from it I get the same issue, however if I drybox for around 3-5 days before smoking it brings out the flavours.

I'm sure others might be able to offer more scientific advice, but this always works for me

This is exactly my experience as well. If I take them out and put them in a zip lock back or something, after a few days it brings out the flavors.

But Colt, are you saying my humidor is over-humidified, even though the reading says 63% - 65-?

[CaptainQuintero]

How do your cigars feel if you roll one between thumb and fingers? Crackly? Crunchy? No noise at all? Spongey or hard?

[MC4]

The cigars in the humidor, I think they are not just above the cross point of being dry but when I squeeze the foot, they do give a bit. they are not all that dry.

They are not spongey but they are not crunch/crackly either , maybe just a bit.

But sometimes, when I change the boveda packs too late, they do get dry since when I smoke them the wrapper sometimes gets flaky.

[CaptainQuintero]

If you out a cigar close to your ear and can hear a crackle if rolling it between your fingers you're about 65% it's a case of learning that feel. When you do trust your touch over a hygrometer

[Colt45]

But Colt, are you saying my humidor is over-humidified, even though the reading says 63% - 65-?

Not really - my main thought is that barring any anomolies, when i hear muted flavor, the first thing that comes to mind is "damp" cigars (damp a relative term).

[MC4]

Thank you all for your replies.

I don't think my cigars in the humidor are over-humidified, in fact they might be a little bit dry.

The only other thing I was thinking is that I use tap water to recharge the Boveda packs. Would that be a problem?

[rckymtn22]

Never use tap water as it can cause all kind of issues with your packs, mold is one and mineral buildup. Always use distilled water. A jug of distilled water is 2 - 3 dollars, cheap as it lasts for years.

[cigcars]

What brand name of humidor do you have? I know I once bought a personalized one that put my initials on it. Outside polished attractive wood...but the innards was NOT Spanish cedar. And if I'd put my prized naked smokes inside of that I probably would've ended up with your same complaint. I primarily used this humidor to store my tubos in.

[MC4]

When I bought the humidor a few years ago, I checked and I believe it was made by Maverick Humidors. But now when I search online I can't find it any longer. I'll try to take a pic later tonite.

cigcars, do you have a picture of your humidor you believe was not using spanish cedar?

[cigcars]

When I bought the humidor a few years ago, I checked and I believe it was made by Maverick Humidors. But now when I search online I can't find it any longer. I'll try to take a pic later tonite.

cigcars, do you have a picture of your humidor you believe was not using spanish cedar?

*Uhm - er - I'm still not up with the times these days as far as pics & posting of pics. It took me two weeks to finally get my avatars together and posted! The best I can surmise is that it's close to card board IMHO. Again, this was YEARS ago just as the "boom" was going on, and charlatans and quick buck artists permeated the scene in those days. Also, this particular "humidor" I don't have ready access to anymore anyway. I moved from Atlanta, Georgia back to my home town Louisville, Kentucky in 2005 and a few of my items are still buried with non-essential books, T-shirts, humis, and so on. Sorry!

[MC4]

*Uhm - er - I'm still not up with the times these days as far as pics & posting of pics. It took me two weeks to finally get my avatars together and posted! The best I can surmise is that it's close to card board IMHO. Again, this was YEARS ago just as the "boom" was going on, and charlatans and quick buck artists permeated the scene in those days. Also, this particular "humidor" I don't have ready access to anymore anyway. I moved from Atlanta, Georgia back to my home town Louisville, Kentucky in 2005 and a few of my items are still buried with non-essential books, T-shirts, humis, and so on. Sorry!

No worries, thank you anyways.

[CanuckSARTech]

Thank you all for your replies.

I don't think my cigars in the humidor are over-humidified, in fact they might be a little bit dry.

The only other thing I was thinking is that I use tap water to recharge the Boveda packs. Would that be a problem?

Recharged Boveda packs? IMO, that throws the stability and consistency of that medium out the window. Unless you have a recently- and accurately-checked hygrometer in there confirming that 65% RH level (and at what temp?), it's a bit of a crap shoot.