Cigar Humidity 101: Creating the Optimal Storage Conditions for Your Stogies

Even premium cigars can taste harsh and burn unevenly when stored the wrong way.

The fix is simple: keep your cigar humidity between 65% and 72% relative humidity. This is the best cigar humidity level, where they burn clean, taste rich, and stay in prime condition.

Too dry, and they crack and rush. Too wet, and they go spongy, won't light, and grow mold fast.

Most storage issues come down to a few common mistakes. Let’s go over them to keep your cigars in top condition.

Ideal Humidity Levels for Cigars

As you know, the ideal humidity for cigars is between 65% and 72% RH. But let’s go one step further:

• 65%–69% RH: Best for everyday smoking and a cleaner, more consistent burn
• 69%–72% RH: Better for aging cigars and preserving flavour

Keeping your cigars within this range helps maintain their structure, flavour, and burn quality. That’s why you almost definitely need a cigar humidor.

Cigar humidity is the relative humidity (RH) of a cigar storage environment. RH is a measure of the air’s moisture content. It is referred to as ‘relative humidity’ as it is relative to the air’s temperature.

Humidity and temperature are deeply interlinked. This is because air expands as it warms up and contracts as it cools down. So, the air’s moisture capacity depends on the temperature. This explains why RH is expressed as a percentage rather than a fixed value.

Why There’s No Single Perfect Cigar Humidity

Cigars are hygroscopic. In other words, they are highly susceptible to changes in the air’s moisture level. As this level rises, cigars can become overly moist. As it falls, they can dry out. Neither scenario bodes well for cigar freshness.

However, the best humidity for cigars depends on a wide array of factors. Here’s what each humidity level does:

• Lower humidity (around 65%) produces a firmer draw, a faster burn, and a slightly sharper flavour
• Higher humidity (around 69–72%) helps preserve oils, slows the burn, and enhances complexity
• Long-term aging (up to 70–72%) maintains moisture and supports gradual flavour development

The most important thing here is to know how to set up a humidor to keep humidity stable over time. Frequent fluctuations will damage your cigars.

The Importance of Humidity for Cigars

A cigar’s flavor profile depends on the unique blend of tobacco used. More specifically, it depends on the essential oils in that tobacco. However, these oils can evaporate at high temperatures. When the oils go, the flavor goes with them.

Humidity also affects how a cigar feels and holds together:

• Right range: The cigar feels firm but supple, with good structural integrity.
• Too dry: The wrapper turns brittle, cracks easily, and starts to unravel.
• Too humid: The cigar goes soft, loses its shape, and becomes hard to handle.

It also directly impacts how a cigar burns:

• Too dry: The cigar burns hot and fast, pushing out harsh, unpleasant smoke.
• Too humid: The cigar resists lighting and burns unevenly throughout.

Signs of Improper Humidity

Your cigars will tell you when something is off. Poor humidity control shows up fast, and once you know what to look for, it's hard to miss.

When humidity drops too low (below 65%):

• The cigar feels dry and brittle to the touch
• Wrappers start to crack or split along the seam
• The burn runs too fast and too hot
• Flavour turns harsh and flat

When humidity climbs too high (above 72%):

• The cigar feels soft or spongy when you squeeze it
• It's a struggle to light and stays lit
• The burn runs uneven, forcing constant relighting
• Mold can start forming, sometimes out of sight

If you’re traveling with cigars, this adds another layer of risk as changing climates can swing humidity levels quickly.

How to Monitor Cigar Humidity

It can be tricky to discern the perfect humidity for cigars. That’s why it’s worth keeping a close eye on their condition. Some warning signs can be subtle. For example, if you see holes in cigars, it’s possible that tobacco beetles have fed on them.

For a more accurate reading of cigar humidity, you need a device called a hygrometer. There are two main types of hygrometer: analogue and digital. Generally, the former look more elegant but are also less accurate. The latter are more reliable from a practical standpoint, if also pricier.

Whichever hygrometer you use, calibrate it at least once a month. This will keep its readings as accurate as possible. If the humidity is too low, use a cigar humidifier to increase it. You can reduce excess humidity by keeping the humidor in a relatively cool area, like a basement. Alternatively, briefly open the humidor to expose its interior to cold air.

The Right Cigar Humidity Makes a Big Difference

When you smoke a cigar, you want an immaculate experience. However, you can too easily fall short of that if you overlook the importance of cigar humidity. Thankfully, finding the right cigar humidity range is often a matter of ‘easy once you know how’.

Once you’ve mastered it, you can look forward to filling your humidor with sumptuous sticks. Swiss Cuban Cigars is an especially good place to shop for top-tier stogies. Those we offer range from beginner-friendly smokes to those of much bolder intensity.

Our intuitive website also makes it easy for you to peruse the vast range of options available. We deliver worldwide from our Switzerland base. If you have any questions about what we do, just drop us a line by emailing [email protected].