Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

What are Rob and Brian smoking in Box Press Ep. 06? Aging Room Solera Fantastico Sungrown (https://www.jrcigars.com/item/aging-room-cigars/aging-room-solera/fantastico-sungrown)

We’re lifting the curtain to show you how Boveda keeps premium cigars smoke ready. And revealing what makes Boveda work better than gels, beads and sponges. Brian Rice, the Principle R&D Engineer at Boveda tells all.

- What’s Boveda and how does Boveda work? (1:54) - Are there secret ingredients in Boveda? (3:40) - Do lab-grade hygrometers need calibration? (4:40) - What’s the difference between a 1-way humidifier and a 2-way humidifier for cigars? (11:30) - What’s the differences between Boveda and gel and beads for cigars? (12:55) - Brian’s sponge confessional. (13:03) - Can Boveda over-humidify a humidor? (22:25) - How to add more horsepower to your humidor to reach the RH level you want. (25:15) - Why condition cigars before you put them in a humidor. (29:28) - Which is quicker–humidifying or drying out cigars? (30:22) - Why the wipe down method of seasoning humidors doesn’t go deep enough . (31:07) - How long does it take to season a humidor with Boveda? (35:25)

#AskBoveda: Will the wipe down method speed up the seasoning of my humidor? (36:40)

ANSWER: No, wiping down the inside of a wooden humidor before you add Boveda 84% RH for seasoning will delay effective seasoning.

When you wipe down the inside of a wooden humidor with a sponge saturated with distilled water, the moisture level on the surface of the humidor’s interior will spike to 100%. Add Boveda 84% RH and Boveda will detect that 100% moisture level. Boveda will first go into absorb mode to bring the moisture level down to 84% RH. (This will add 2 to 4 days to the Boveda 14-day seasoning method.) After that, Boveda will push moisture all the way through the porous wood—deep down into its cells, not just on its surface.

Best to just toss in Boveda 84% RH into a dry humidor and let it work on its own—no need to rain on its parade.

#AskBoveda: What’s the best beverage to drink while you smoke a cigar? (38:45)

ANSWER:

Enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your cigar? Brian pairs his premium cigar with a single malt Scotch that’s been aged at least 15 years. To his pour, he adds a single ice cube to slightly chill his Scotch while freeing its aromas and flavors. Then he’ll settle in for good hour’s smoke.

Teetotaler? With his cigar, Rob’s a fan of enjoying a sugary, carbonated soft drink, like a Coca-Cola. When Rob’s reviewing cigars, he’ll drink sparkling water or tea in between sticks to eliminate competing flavors. What’s the secret to really cleanse your palate after smoking a cigar? A glass of milk.

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