For true cigar aficionados, every detail matters—from the origin of the tobacco to the way each cigar is stored. Cigars, after all, must be preserved at the ideal humidity to keep their flavor, aroma, and construction intact. Achieving this used to be a challenge, requiring constant monitoring and rewetting sponges, hoses, etc. Enter Boveda: the humidor accessory that makes protecting your cigars effortless. As the pioneer and industry leader in 2-way humidity control, Boveda keeps cigars in peak condition without additional humidor maintenance.
Why Humidity Control is Critical for Cigars
Cigars are hygroscopic, meaning they naturally absorb and release moisture from the surrounding environment. Without proper humidity control, the delicate balance within the cigar’s tobacco leaves is disrupted, leading to significant quality degradation. Understanding how to avoid common cigar storage mistakes is key to ensuring cigars maintain their flavor and their lifespan.
What are the risks of improper humidity levels?
- Too Dry (Below 65% RH): Cigars become brittle and lose essential oils. The smoking experience becomes harsh and flavorless. The wrapper cracks or unravels, making cigars unsmokable.
- Too Humid (Above 72% RH): Tobacco leaves become oversaturated, affecting burn consistency. Cigars may develop tight draws and an unpleasant taste. There is an increased risk of mold and bacterial growth.
The ideal humidity range for cigar storage is between 65% and 72% RH. In this range, tobacco retains its essential oils, which contribute to full flavor and rich aroma. The wrapper remains intact and flexible. The cigar burns smoothly, so your smoke should be rich and relaxing. Perhaps the most critical aspect is ensuring the RH level is constant at a specific point within this range, without fluctuations in humidity.
Protecting your cigars with Boveda ensures that each smoke delivers the full-bodied experience that aficionados expect. Shop Boveda’s cigar humidity control packs to ensure your cigars are maintained in ideal conditions with no need for constant adjustments.
How 2-Way Humidity Control Packets Work
Boveda packs contain a saturated saltwater solution enclosed in a permeable membrane. This solution naturally regulates humidity by releasing moisture when the surrounding air is too dry and absorbing excess moisture when the air is too humid. The self-regulating process keeps the humidity at a consistent and ideal level.
Why Boveda is the Preferred Choice of Smokers and Professionals
Trusted by the Cigar Industry
Cigar manufacturers, retailers, and collectors worldwide use Boveda to ensure their cigars can improve with age rather than degrading over time. Here’s why professionals and connoisseurs alike prefer Boveda over traditional humidity control methods:
- 100% Maintenance-Free: No need to repeatedly refill distilled water or constantly monitor hygrometers.
- Precise Humidity Control: Available in different RH levels (65%, 69%, 72%, etc.) to suit various cigar storage needs.
- Mold and Leak Prevention: Unlike sponge or gel-based humidifiers, Boveda packs won’t over-saturate cigars or cause mold growth.
- Long-Lasting Effectiveness: Boveda’s cigar protection lasts for three months in a humidor, tupperdor, cooler, or humidor bag.
How to Use Boveda Packets in Your Humidor
Using Boveda humidity packs is incredibly simple, but a few best practices will guarantee optimal performance.
Recommended RH for cigars:
- B69 maintains 69% RH: Most preferred for all cigar storage, including wood and acrylic humidors, tupperdors, coolerdors, and humidor bags; and good for long-term aging.
Specialty solutions for challenging cigar storage:
- B65 maintains 65% RH: For those who prefer a drier cigar profile and/or easier burn; and are aging cigars long-term, including Cuban cigars.
- B72 maintains 72% RH: For drafty humidors and dry environments. And for those who prefer a higher moisture profile and/or have trouble maintaining the desired RH in their humidor.
- B75 is generally not recommended and should only be used for extremely dry conditions, such as high altitudes and desert environments. Boveda B75 overcompensates in those extremely dry conditions to maintain a safe, stable RH for cigars (between 65 and 72%) in wood humidors.
Use Enough Boveda for Your Humidor
Boveda is available in different sizes, and the number of packets you need depends on your humidor’s capacity. (In other words, how many cigars the manufacturer said your humidor can hold.)
- Use one (1) Size 8 for every 5-count capacity
- Use one (1) Size 60 for every 25-count capacity
- Use one (1) Size 320 for 100-count capacity
Or click on this link for a Boveda Humidor Calculator. It figures out how many cigar humidity packs you need for how big your humidor is, and then can add the right Boveda directly to your cart.
Replace Expired Packets—Don’t Recharge Them
Boveda naturally hardens over time as it releases moisture. For optimal protection, you need to replace the packets with new ones every three months. You can have replacements automatically sent to you when you subscribe for Boveda refills.
DO NOT recharge Boveda by rehydrating the packs in water. You run the risk of damaging your cigars via mold growth or extreme humidity fluctuations.
Place Packets Correctly in the Humidor
You can put Boveda anywhere in your humidor—even directly on top of your cigars. If you keep a tidy humidor, check out the official Boveda holders, which affix the packs to the lid, shelf, or side of a humidor.
The Average Lifespan of Cigars
How Long Do Cigars Last?
Properly stored cigars can last years or even decades, with aged cigars often developing richer flavors over time. Whole, untouched cigars can last indefinitely in a properly maintained humidor (65-72% RH). However, without proper humidity control, the lifespan of cigars will be shorter. With improperly stored cigars, you likely will find that your cigar isn’t worth smoking when you finally pull it out of your humidor.
Protecting Your Cigars
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual smoker, Boveda is the ultimate solution for cigar preservation. Use Boveda 2-way humidity control packets to take the hassle out of maintaining your collection. No more dried-out tobacco or over-humidified cigars—just perfect conditions, every time.
