Question for cigar lovers

**funlvnman** · 10th October 09, 07:26 PM

When I moved in April I put my humidors in the closet and sort of forgot about them. I haven't been in the mood to smoke lately. A couple weeks ago I took them out and much to my surprise the humidity was still in the high 70's. However lots of the cigars have "shrunk" such that the band is loose. I doubt that's a good thing. What's the best way to get the cigars rehydrated? I refilled the water tanks but so far nothing has happened. The bands are still loose.The one I smoked today, while enjoyable, was noticeable harsher than it should have been. Thanks in advance.

**Beertigger** · 10th October 09, 07:33 PM

You're not going to be able to keep 'em much over the 75% mark here, anyway. Mine stay between 75 and 85%. Count yourself lucky that you didn't totally dry out the humidors & warp or crack them.

Make sure your hygrometers are still calibrated, so you're getting correct readings. The salt/bottlecap test works well.

Keep the humidifiers topped up for a few weeks. Don't get the cigars wet or anything - they'll just burst their wrappers and be useless.

I don't smoke in the house, so I don't find myself lighting up much during the long hot summer. Now that it's cool, I'll dig one out maybe once a week or so.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 10th October 09, 07:35 PM

The hunidity was high and they shrunk???? I thought the best humidity was between 68 and 72. Have you checked your guage?

Rotate them, besides that, hope for the best!

**funlvnman** · 10th October 09, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

The hunidity was high and they shrunk???? I thought the best humidity was between 68 and 72. Have you checked your guage?

Rotate them, besides that, hope for the best!

My hygrometer is right next to the humidifier tank so I think I'm getting false readings. I haven't rotated the cigars in quite some time. I'll try that next. Perhaps one of the local cigar stores can help me out.
It's tough when the relative humidity is 10% to keep your humidor working properly.

The only plus to this is all the cigars that have dried out are the cheaper ones that I got mail order.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 10th October 09, 10:00 PM

The Hemmingway Classic was one of my all time fav's that was a fantastic cigar. I was getting that one before it hit big. I also liked the H.Upman in the maduro, great with a good single malt!!!

**Doftya** · 11th October 09, 10:23 PM

Ahhhh..... it's been a while since my last cigar, but here's some info I came across. To rehydrate a cigar, keep topping up with hydrating fluid, the process may take a month or two, but it is possible. I had some pipe tobacco that had gotten very dry, after two months of careful rehydrating, it was back in shape and still tasted good. But you have to take your time and make sure you're not going too fast. If water condenses onto the cigars, they may get some mold or fungus. That would be a disaster, as it may take root in the humidor. In my case, I took a glass mason jar and sealed it us with one of those humidor hydrating sponges in a plastic case thingies. It worked but I had to take my time.

As to my likes, H.Upmans, Excalibers, and there was this one size of the Arturo Fuentes that I absolutely loved. Can't remember the size right now, but it was great. The box was lined with purple fabric.... wish I could remember the name.

As to pipe tobacco, I once had a chance to try a MacBaren that had been aged in 30 yr old whisky. That was some amazing stuff, very amazing. Too bad I couldn't afford it at the time.