Optimal Smoking & Rolling Moistures
Optimal smoking moisture content for a cigar is 12-13.2%, depending on which industry pro you talk to. This equates to around 62% RH, depending on usual variables that go into RH (temperature, etc).
It takes 2 months in "the room" for the bunch to expand and the wrapper to contract as the whole thing equalizes to 13.2%. The wrapper tightens and the seam lines “disappear.”
At the time of wrapping, the bunch should be ~10% moisture, i.e. 52RH.
The wrapper should be 19% moisture at the time of wrapping, i.e. 85RH.
As the bunch and wrapper equalize toward the overall 13.2%, the bunch expands as it takes on moisture, and the wrapper tightens as it loses moisture. This results in a tight-feeling, smooth, seamless cigar that, assuming it was constructed properly, maintains its perfect draw despite feeling very firm.











