Two questions from a newbie:

1. I prefer singles or 5 packs over boxes. Is it ok to store them in my humidor in the ziplok bags they ship in?

2. I've seen a few references to "dry boxes". Can someone expand on this a bit for me?

3. I also noticed someone mention they keep their maduros at 65-68% RH. Does anyone else recommend this?

TIA.

Terry

I buy almost all my cigars in 5 packs and samplers.

I always take them out of the outer bags to store them in the humidor. The bags they are packed in are of unknown humidity...my humidor isn't.

Questions #2 #3 I'll leave to those more qualified to answer.

#2 - When ambient humidity is below 70%, "to drybox" refers to taking the cigar out of the humidor [where humidity should be in the 65-70%]. One could simply put it into a "dry" [unsealed] cigar or other box.

#3 - When you search the threads on this [or other boards] you'll find all sorts of preferences about humidity. Some thin wrappers are more susceptible to rapid changes in humidity & may split. Maduro & other thicker [or coarser] wrappers may seem to smoke a bit tighter or feel a bit mushy at 70-75% humidity. [I prefer to store everything a bit on the high side, but one wants to avoid having MOLD -- & I usually dry box a bit after long term storage.] Having maduros at 68% [+/-]is preferred by some smokers, but you will learn if you prefer some maduro cigars a bit drier or a bit moister

As someone noted recently on another thread temperature control is important as cigar beetle eggs [if present] tend to hatch in warmer conditions

Thanks gents. Temps and RH too high is usually not problem where I live (Alaska), so I'm not too worried about mold or beetles.

As for the ziploks, its my understanding that they are not a barrier to moisture, just as cello wrappers aren't. They simply slow down any changes in RH. That's why I'm wondering if there are any long term negative effects of leaving them in the ziplocks, mainly to keep them segregated in my humidor.

1. keep your humidor properly maintained and take those cigars out of the ziplocks. The cigars need to breath a little bit and siplocks do block moisture to a large extent.

2. Many people will dry box their cigars prior to smoking (in a non humidified humidor or cigar box). Mostly to let a cigar dry out a little bit prior to smoking. Some cigars smoke better a little dryer than the recomended 70% humidity.

3. If most of the cigars you smoke draw and smoke better at a lower humidity the 70%, it pays to store them at a lower humidity. I personally prefer most of my favorite cigars when they are stored at about 65%.

Many people find that Opus, cuban and certain other cigars do not burn or smoke well when stored at 70% humidity. If you find that to be the case, those cigars should be dry boxed or stored at a lower humidity.

I hope this helps.

barryneedleman,

Yes, it helps very much. Thanks.

If I take my smokes out of their ziploks, any recommendations on how to keep them segregated so the flavors don't intermingle or is this a minor issue?

Thanks again.

The ziplocks probably aren't necessary; but if you want to keep them grouped and separated that way, at least open and fold back the top of the ziplock so air can circulate.

Loose cigars stored together won't "marry" if they are individually wrapped in cello.

But flavored or "infused" cigars should not be stored in the same box with others, since the aroma will spread and will also permeate a wooden humidor. I wouldn't trust a ziplock to prevent it.

That's part of my dilemma, as most of my singles aren't cello wrapped.

Then the open and folded back ziplock is a good solution to separation and air circulation.

Even with no Cello it will take a long time for them to marry... Just my opinion. If you have any flavored cigars just take them out and use tupperware. Plenty of advice in the archives here on how to make a tupperdore.

Welcome,

ajeroth

If you have access to (Spanish) cedar sheets (maybe from a cigar box liner) you can seperate your smokes. Or you can use the handly little zip lock pouch to separate the cigars.

there's no wrong answer. A large humidor with dividers and drawers works great...but you gotta spend some money here to justify the upgrade.

Unleass you smoke acids, lars or other flavored smokes, I wouldn't worry about flavors marrying. You can group like type wrappers together, personally I don't bother and have never had a problem. If you are talking about long term aging make a igloodor and keep the cigars in cigar boxes.

If you do have acids, lars and other flavored cigars seperate them OUT of your main humidor (tuperdors make sense).