softness of cigar

[MMAB]

the "loose cigar" thing is a variable.

Some cigars may be packed more than others, others less. This is one of many ways to affect a cigar's burn and flavor.

Now when I say loose, that's difficult to explain here in print. You'll see as you smoke more and more and can compare the major brands.

Granted a quality cigar shouldn't be "squishy". Some give or squeezability is normal. We are dealing with a leafy, organic material here! It will vary from brand to brand and type to type.

The only thing one could tell from GENTLY squeezing a cigar is uniformity. However, I don't recommend squeezing your cigars. You risk cracking the wrapper.

The crackling sound bit is a myth. ANY cigar will make that sound when gently squeezed and rolled between your thumb and finger, but yes a DRY cigar will do it much more. It's a poor way to judge a cigar's rh.

So, IMO, there's no way to tell you how soft any given cigar should be at 70%rh. I wouldn't sweat it as long as your rh% is under control.

My two cents

[hex1848]

Another thing you want to remember is consistency through out the length of the cigar. You want to feel the same "give" (for lack of a better term) from end to end (granted some torpedo's will obviously be much different towards the pointed end).

If you feel a tight spot in the middle of the cigar this can be indicative of a "knot" which will affect the draw until you get through it.

You also want to check for sections which are looser then the rest of the cigar. A looser section will burn faster and hotter then the rest of the smoke.

[cigar no baka]

Hehe the owners at my local B&M call that "finger-fucking" when people manhandle cigars in the humidor - they get pretty pissed off when they see people finger-fucking their sticks.