Storage Temp And Oil/Color

[stogieluver]

The OP hasn't chimed back in to respond and defend his high rH storage

21 minutes ago, Cep said:

so most ppl have it wrong as they think that rh at higher temps lead to wetter cigars vs rh at lower temps.   Is that correct?

 

"Relative" is the key word, as Piggy may say.  Or maybe he just couldn't care less.  (hehe sorry Piggy, couldn't resist)  And as he says, temp and rH are inverse to each other i.e. as temp goes up, the relative amount of water at a steady rH goes down, and vice versa.  So, you really can't discuss rH without including the corresponding ambient temp.  Or at least this is what I think I've learned from studying at the foot of the great Pigmeister. 

The OP hasn't chimed back in to defend his preference for a higher, than what most of us here consider, a high rH storage condition.  He's new here; perhaps he is also new to CC's, and just hasn't yet discovered the advantages of storage at a rH closer to 60% @ 70df (much better taste and burn, IMHO).  He states that the temp and rh is a narrow range of around 65/65.  Sounds like ideal storage conditions to me.  Just leave 'em out in the open!  His basement IS a humidor. 

[Fugu]

4 hours ago, Smallclub said:

I don't know how it is in the escarpates (where the rolled cigars rest) but I guess it's much higher than 72%.

Usually, it is meant to be dryer in the escaparate.

Quick info taken from HSA: "Conditions are strictly maintained at between 16 and 18°C and 65 to 70 percent relative humidity, noticeably cooler and drier than the ambient Cuban climate."

Actually, by sheer coincidence () that's claiming to be exactly what is written on the small notice sheet included in the boxes....

[PapaDisco]

On 11/24/2016 at 5:27 AM, Mattb82 said:

I remember seeing a pic a while back in a post showing that low storage temps caused a cigar to lose oil and color. Is this possible? I ask because my only storage option is the basement that is 63-65 degrees in my cabinet in the winter and 65-67 in summer. The RH is a constant 65%. I just don't want all these beautiful PSP I'm getting to go in looking sexy and cone out looking like Rosie O'Donnell having lost their oil. I think they are fine based on research but wanted to get some opinions. If I move the cabinet I'll have to fight the wife, I can win but it may be a Pyrrhic victory 

Your rH and temps are very close to my storage conditions as well.  I've not noticed color change in the wrappers, but then I don't have anything too old in the collection.  I do saran wrap or ziplock my LT storage boxes before putting them in a sealed tupper for storage, speculating that it is air exchange that wicks off any volatile compounds looking to depart the cigar.  

With my cigars in Saigon, which are routinely exposed to higher temperatures, one can quickly see yellowing/discoloration of the paper lining in the boxes and cardboard packs, so compounds of some sort are definitely leaving the cigars for the paper and the atmosphere.  At lower temps one doesn't see this same effect over 5 years or longer.

so: 1.  I think your setup is excellent as is.  2. You might want to experiment with saran wrapping your boxes just for comparison.

[Mattb82]

@PapaDisco. Thanks for the info, if the oil loss/ color change doesn't affect how good it smokes I'm ok. I've just always associated a nice oily cigar with a great experience because that's just how it's worked for me so far. I really appreciate all the feedback gents 

[Mattb82]

@stogieluver, just tied up with a 2 year old and 1 month old, it's nonstop. My cabinet humi temps and RH in my basement are roughly 65/65, actual RH in the basement itself is around 59% fluctuating throughout the room a little. I don't feel like 65/65 is a high RH for long term storage, I move sticks to my smoke now desktop  humi that stays at 68 degrees and 60% RH a few weeks before I smoke them. I keep that upstairs and out of the way. 

my biggest concern was that my basement temp can get down to 63ish degrees but not lower and just wasn't sure what the effects would be long term but it seems like that's ideal from the feedback.  I'm new to CC,roughly 6 months but I dove in really deep pretty fast. Love the site and all the help here 

[stogieluver]

47 minutes ago, Mattb82 said:

@stogieluver, just tied up with a 2 year old and 1 month old, it's nonstop. My cabinet humi temps and RH in my basement are roughly 65/65, actual RH in the basement itself is around 59% fluctuating throughout the room a little. I don't feel like 65/65 is a high RH for long term storage, I move sticks to my smoke now desktop  humi that stays at 68 degrees and 60% RH a few weeks before I smoke them. I keep that upstairs and out of the way. 

my biggest concern was that my basement temp can get down to 63ish degrees but not lower and just wasn't sure what the effects would be long term but it seems like that's ideal from the feedback.  I'm new to CC,roughly 6 months but I dove in really deep pretty fast. Love the site and all the help here 

A 2 year old.  A 1 month old.  A cabinet humi inside a natural humi.  You seem to be doing it all the right way.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Life is good for you.  Welcome to the forum.  Glad to have your company.

[Bohn007]

48 minutes ago, Mattb82 said:

@stogieluver, just tied up with a 2 year old and 1 month old, it's nonstop. My cabinet humi temps and RH in my basement are roughly 65/65, actual RH in the basement itself is around 59% fluctuating throughout the room a little. I don't feel like 65/65 is a high RH for long term storage, I move sticks to my smoke now desktop  humi that stays at 68 degrees and 60% RH a few weeks before I smoke them. I keep that upstairs and out of the way. 

my biggest concern was that my basement temp can get down to 63ish degrees but not lower and just wasn't sure what the effects would be long term but it seems like that's ideal from the feedback.  I'm new to CC,roughly 6 months but I dove in really deep pretty fast. Love the site and all the help here 

Matt, there is nothing wrong with the temperature/Rh that you are storing the cigars at. When you are ready to smoke, you might want to play with the numbers a little bit depending on your personal preference but you would be surprised how resilient cigars can be. Obviously extremes are just that, extremes but what you are suggesting will be fine. Remember, as @PigFish will often say, it's not just about humidity. It's about humidity in relation to temperature but your numbers seem perfect.  

[El Presidente]

My perspective is that under correct storage conditions, the sheen will somewhat disappear. It disappears into the binder, filler. That is a good thing. Oil = flavour. 

[Jeremy Festa]

My perspective is that under correct storage conditions, the sheen will somewhat disappear. It disappears into the binder, filler. That is a good thing. Oil = flavour. 

Agree. I have received so many overly oily boxes from your goodself and put them either into the OLH or stored them here at home at 66% and 16 degrees. After 6 to 12 months they look far more parched than when receiving them. But I have often noticed that once lit, and smoking, after the first third or so they can be all glossy again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mattb82]

@Elpresidente @Jeremy Festa this is what I was looking for. These sticks look so great I just want to make sure I'm taking care of them and getting the most out of these greasy pigs