Cigars Cigars Cigars

[entity]

Something I'd like to share on the subject of keeping the right humidity level in your humidor (might be a little too early for those of you about to get your humidor):

 

Singapore's weather is actually close to perfect for the storage of cigars. We have an average of 27-30 deg celcius temperature and 65-75% relative humidity.

 

The universally accepted "perfect" conditions for storage and aging of cigars is 20 deg celcius and 70% relative humidity.

 

When I first got my humidor, I managed to replicate the "perfect" conditions by putting the entire humidor in my wine fridge (cigars being more important to me than wine). However, I realised that the trouble taken to get the cigars in that conditions were not worth it (also because of advice given by cigar veterans). Moreover, when I take the cigars out for smoking, there's a layer of condensation on the cigar, something like the effect of a glass of ice-cold water in a room. This changes the taste of the cigar and I didn't like it.

 

If you're putting the humidor in a 24 hour air-con room environment, the hard part lies in keeping the humidity level in the humidor up at 70%. To do this, you have to play around with the humidifier. But please add a little water at a time, and keep monitoring the humidity level.

 

In a normal environment (non-aircon, but put the humidor in a cool, dry spot please), the hard part lies in keeping the humidity down to 70%. The only proven way is to put more cigars in the humidor. I've tried opening the humidor in a hot, dry day, camera cabinet case, etc and I got to say, folks, please dun try this at home.

 

To those of you worried about the temperature, dun worry, Singapore's average temperature is fine for storage of cigars, as long as you dun put the humidor in a spot with direct sunlight.

 

Another thing, in my experience, the hydrometers provided with the humidors are normally not "zeroed", and are highly inaccurate. If you're serious about cigar smoking and want to smoke your cigars in their best possible condition, get a small electronic hydrometer. There are various models but just get a cheap one at $30ish at Oaks. These things operate on button batteries and tell the temperature as well.

 

All these sound like a lot of hassle, but for the luxury of smoking a good cigar anytime you want, it's worth it!

[entity]

Originally posted by Intruder@Jul 31 2005, 12:02 PM

Lovely!

 

Magnum 50 Edicion Limitada 2005

Intruder, you've tried the Magnum 50 already!!!?!!?!?!?!?!?!

[Intruder]

Originally posted by entity@Jul 31 2005, 12:17 PM

Intruder, you've tried the Magnum 50 already!!!?!!?!?!?!?!?!

Arh....entity, not yet. Dun have the luxury right now. Quite sick now... Even puffing my my ciggy already problem liao. BTW if got any lobang in getting this, pls keep me inform... and if the price is right i may want to get one and try too, since it's mentioned by our cigar gourmet Throttle.

 

[Throttle]

yes electronic hygrometers are the most accurate and they can even show a high and a low of the humidity in your humidor

 

there are many ways of stabilising the humidity in the humidor.

 

one way is to put a shot glass of PRopylene gycol or distilled water in the humidor and close it. allowing the cedar wood interior to absorb the humidity naturally over 1 - 2 days. occasionally opening to check on the humidity.

 

Next, top up the humidifier with 50% PG and 50% distilled water totally.

monitor the humidity over 1 - 2 days, it should stabilise between 65 to 75%

 

some people may try to quicken this process by using a sponge to rub down the insides of the humidor. I wouldnt advocate that, as the sudden wetness is not good for the kiln dry cedar wood.

 

Singapore's humidity is actually a lot higher than 70%, it is closer to an average of 85%. indoors humidity is about 80% so keeping the cigar exposed long term may result in a cigar thats too wet.

 

If you do have quite a bundle of cigars to keep, do get a humidor to seal in the aroma and scent of the cigars and to maintain them in the right humidity

 

Cigars that are too wet may not burn well and grow bugs

Cigars that are too dry may crack and lose its aromas

[Throttle]

yes intruder, there are many cute stories about fidel and US politicians.

 

many of whic is true including the one on J F K you posted.

 

the CIA has also been rumored to assasinate Fidel with an exploding cigar.

 

Fidel gave up cigars on the mid 80s due to doctors advice.

He has in fact been quoted " give your cigars to your enemies"

 

The other great legendary hero is Ernesto Che Guevara, he is Cuba's wartime hero and national idol. Many people wear a t shirt with his face on it but dont know a thing about him.

 

Heres the famous lithograhpic picture of Che Guevara found in Cuba's musuem at the fort of Havana dedicated to its national hero.

 

http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/5070/imgp27872kl.jpg

[Nightstalker]

not sure if i shd get a humidor cos i dun normally have a whole bunch of cigars to keep anyway, unless i buy a box of them, which is damn taxin on my wallet! so far im lookin at 25ct humidor, which seems like a decent sized one for future investment.

[Nightstalker]

Originally posted by Intruder@Jul 31 2005, 12:02 PM

Lovely!

 

Magnum 50 Edicion Limitada 2005

A very informative site! And its so easy to navigate. The best thing i like abt it is the fact i can search for cigars accordin to aromas. at leats i can narrow down my search for new cigars to try out next time. Thanks! :thumb:

[Sev]

hi, nightstalker, here's the ebay store i mentioned about.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/mydiscountauctions-...aQ3amesstQQtZkm

[Intruder]

Originally posted by Nightstalker@Jul 31 2005, 03:59 PM

A very informative site! And its so easy to navigate. The best thing i like abt it is the fact i can search for cigars accordin to aromas. at leats i can narrow down my search for new cigars to try out next time. Thanks! :thumb:

I almost lost this important link when my PC kena 'poisoned' weeks back, then traced here and there and by luck bump onto this link again....

Hope it is useful to many cigar lovers here.

 

I will put it under my signatire column for all to share and of cos....it will nvr be lost again when my PC crashed the 4th times....

[Throttle]

The search engine is a nice tool. but as taste and aromas are subjective, I would advise people to try the cigar first before writing it off simply base on a chart.

 

for example I enjoy creamy smoke nutty flavor and leathery woody aroma while a friend prefers spicy, strong , slightly bitter notes.

 

whatever it is, try it yourself to decide.

[Intruder]

Originally posted by Throttle@Jul 31 2005, 08:25 PM

........try it yourself to decide.

Good advise.... One man's poison maybe another man's antidote.

[Sev]

heard from the news that gov going to ban smoking at kopitiam and public club...

omg, then we go nowehere to enjoy our smoke liao... :giddy:

everyone has to smoke in their own house...

[Intruder]

They never say void deck cannot right? hahaha..... like tat we really got to find a place to puff liao. Pub business surely kena affected. Well, what can i say? We are a Fine country.

[Throttle]

sigh, I expected this to happen.

 

anyway, smoking in public places is even banned in Cuba itself since earlier this year. Also the case in many US cities, like NY, Boston etc...

[Throttle]

I'm off to the airport, enjoy your smokes, and catch you guys on Friday......

[Nightstalker]

btw, wat r u guys doin? most of u r workin rite? how do u all finance ur passion for cigars? so far im barely copin wif a weekly smoke, anymore than tat and my wallet cannot tahan man. if i were to get a humidor it'll most prob be empty for quite a while. haha.... no money for smokes oredi.

[entity]

Originally posted by Sev@Aug 1 2005, 08:52 AM

heard from the news that gov going to ban smoking at kopitiam and public club...

omg, then we go nowehere to enjoy our smoke liao... :giddy:

everyone has to smoke in their own house...

Prices for houses with balcony will shoot up!!! At least a little bit for the supposed 14% of Sinagporeans that're smokers.

 

Maybe its time to open a smoking-only place. Business might just go up up up!

[numbergames]

defintely business would boom...of course the ambience must be

good as well...

[Sev]

smoke a small indonesia ciagr gifted from Throttle yesterday night when i went downstair to buy bread...

it is about 4" long and with a ring gauge similar to a ball point pen...

the starting taste was a bitter dark chocolate/coffee taste. as i was thinking the taste will not change due to its size, the taste suddenly change to a slightly spicy towards the end, and my tongue now became numb!? dunno why was it so... ?

the draw is smooth, and the burning was even, think it is due to good storage and humid. however, it became quite hot at the end due to its small ring gauge.

quite an interesting small cigar. short smoke about 10 mins...

[numbergames]

Originally posted by Sev@Aug 4 2005, 10:12 AM

smoke a small indonesia ciagr gifted from Throttle yesterday night when i went downstair to buy bread...

it is about 4" long and with a ring gauge similar to a ball point pen...

the starting taste was a bitter dark chocolate/coffee taste. as i was thinking the taste will not change due to its size, the taste suddenly change to a slightly spicy towards the end, and my tongue now became numb!? dunno why was it so... ?

the draw is smooth, and the burning was even, think it is due to good storage and humid. however, it became quite hot at the end due to its small ring gauge.

quite an interesting small cigar. short smoke about 10 mins...

what is the name of this cigar??? you guys met up last night?

[Sev]

no lah, i met him last week, get some stuff from him, he let me try some of his indonesia cigar, i dunno what brand, no band on the cigar....

[numbergames]

cool... i'm also looking for something which i can finish off quickly....

sometimes go clubbing wanna bring but like dun want to bring something

tat takes forever to smoke...lol...

[entity]

Numbergames, if you want a short smoke (

 

Cuban cigarillos available in Singapore:

COHIBA Club (Slightly larger than the Minis)

COHIBA Mini

MONTECRISTO Mini (think I've seen it at DFS or something)

[Throttle]

Hi Guys I'm back from Indo...finally!!

 

gotta do some good smokes this weekend

 

PArtagas Serie D No. 1 EL2004

Hoyo Piramides EL 2003

Ramon Allones Gigantes

Hoyo Epicure No. 2

RYJ Belicosos Fino

 

Yum yum....

[Throttle]

aiyo, no time tonite, only did the RYJ Belicoso....

 

tomorrow must try to do the Partagas D1 and the Hoyo Epicure at least.