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Introduction

 

If you’re new to cigars, while some of your friends have been enjoying these sticks for years, you’ll often hear conversations like:

 

“Hey, have you pinch tested your sticks? Are they okay?”

 

“My cigars feel like soggy socks when I pinched them last time… All that batch was gone.”

 

You feel confused and wonder, “What on earth is this pinch test?” Why do they always pinch their cigars like Play-Doh?

 

Don’t worry, I’m here to help. In this guide, I’ll explain what the pinch test is, how to perform it, and what the result means.

 

It’s simple and saves you from a bad smoke in seconds. You’ll master it in no time and stop wasting good sticks after this article.

 

I’ll also offer you some practical tips to fix your cigars based on the results, so no worries if you got a bad outcome.

 

You’ll make a huge step from “cigar beginners” to “cigar lovers who know their stick” after reading. Now let’s dig down together.

 

Pinch Test: What It Is and Why It Matters?

 

The pinch test is a gentle squeeze to check the firmness and moisture of a cigar. It helps you to understand the texture and flavour of your stick.

 

It’s important to know your cigar before you smoke it. First of all, you’ll save a lot by spotting cigars that were stored poorly before you light them.

 

You’ll also avoid the harsh or bitter taste by noticing dry cigars during this test, preventing your mouth and your time from being destroyed.

 

This test also makes you look more professional. Your friends and people at the cigar shop will notice this small check and think: Wow, this guy really knows his sticks.

 

The pinch test is extremely simple and takes almost no time. One tiny squeeze can keep you away from a bad cigar, so why not?

 

 

Master the Pinch Test in Under 3 Minutes

 

Now, let’s talk about how you should conduct this test on your cigar. I’ll break it down into different aspects to help you better understand this process.

 

The Perfect Grip and Pressure

 

It can’t be called the pinch test without actually pinching your cigars. But not any random pinch is okay for this test. There are some tricks and tips you need to know.

 

Hold the cigar between your thumb and index finger, with the thumb on one side and the index finger on the other. Assuming that you’re holding a ripe tomato: firm, not soft.

 

Gently press your cigar just a little until you feel a tiny give.

 

A cigar is just some dried tobacco leaves inside a thin layer of wrapper, and none of these can withstand human power, so be gentle when pinching.

 

Do not press it too hard as you’ll damage the wrapper. If you crush the cigar, all the flavours will leak out, and the draw will be ruined.

 

Hold for 1–2 seconds, then release. Remember the feeling when you squeeze your cigar. It’ll tell you the cigar’s state and texture.

 

A cigar is bouncy when perfectly moisturized, so there should be no dents on it after squeezing.

 

If you see an indent, you pinched too hard. I learned that the hard way once, a $40 Cuba stick was ruined between my fingers. Ouch.

 

Key Spots You Should Test

 

The cigar is a short stick, so you need to test different spots to make sure it is evenly moist.

 

Personally, I’ll pinch the spot near the bottom (about 1 inch from the unlit end), the middle, and about 1 inch below the cap.

 

These points are the head, the middle point, and the foot of your cigar, so they best represent the whole state of this stick.

 

All three should feel pretty much the same. If they don’t, your cigar likely had uneven storage or humidity issues. Check your humidor now.

 

Rookie Mistakes You Should Avoid

 

Don’t do these unless you don’t care about your precious batches.

 

• Death-grip squeezing: You’ll crack the wrapper if you pinch too hard. This does nothing beneficial to your cigar; instead, it ruins it.

 

• Testing only one spot: You’ll only have a single-sided view of your cigar. I once lit a cigar that was dry at the cap and wet at the foot. Yikes.

 

• Pinching the cap directly: You could mess up the place you need to cut, making it uneven and changing the flavor.

 

If you’ve made these mistakes before, learn from them and make changes. You’ll see a huge difference.

 

 

Understanding the Feeling – The Decode Sheet

 

After conducting the test, you need to know what the test tells you. And this part is the decoder you need.

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I’ve listed possible outcomes of the pinch test, their meanings, and the actions to take next, based on my experience.

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Take them as references, and adjust your storage style and humidor settings according to the feeling of your cigar.

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The Perfect Feeling We All Want

 

If your cigar feels a slight give and springs back fast, like a firm mattress or a marshmallow that isn’t squishy, congrats.

 

This is just the perfect feeling that a fresh cigar should give. Your cigar is in the best condition, so keep it.

 

You can store a cigar in a humidor that has about 65–70% Relative Humidity (RH) to achieve this state. It’s also the most commonly recommended RH range for storing cigars.

 

You can smoke it now. If you feel the same firmness in three spots, even better.

 

If it’s slightly firm but consistent along the cigar, it may burn a bit faster, but it’s still decent and enjoyable.

 

Fixable Problems You Should Notice

 

Here are some problems you have to pay attention to.

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If your cigar feels soft, mushy, or spongy, it’s too moist. Your finger may leave a dent after pinching.

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If the RH in your humidor is above ~72%, cigars will absorb too much moisture and end up like this.

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Such cigars will be hard to keep lit and will produce too much smoke. It’s also not very pleasant to taste, since all the earthy, spicy tones have been washed away by moisture.

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On the other hand, a hard, brittle, or board‑stiff feeling may indicate that your cigar is too dry. Your humidor setting is likely below ~62% RH and needs an immediate check.

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A cigar like this will burn too hot and fast. It will also have a harsh flavor because all the oils and aromatics have gone. The wrapper may crack as well.

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Uneven firmness is also easily detected by the multi-point pinch test. If your cigars feel soft in one area and hard in another, rotate them in your humidor and let them sit for a few days to even out.

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Red Flags of Ruined Sticks

 

If you see any of these on your cigars, they’re doomed. Toss them immediately.

 

• Visible green or white fuzzy spot: Your cigar has mold. Throw it right away and check the humidor and the whole batch to see any potential contamination.

 

• Severe cracks on the wrapper: It’s way too dry. All the flavor has gone, and this stick will taste bitter as a mouthful of tar. No way to save but toss it.

 

• Wildly different firmness along the stick: Signs of storage damage. Check your humidor and rearrange the placement of your cigars.

 

Don’t cry over the ruined cigar. Adjust your storage method, and you’ll prevent these problems.

 

If you have some damaged batches, there’s still hope for you.

 

 

Quick Fixes When Your Cigar Fails the Test

 

You don’t need fancy tools. These practical fixes are enough to save your cigars. They won’t return to the perfect state, but are sufficient to enjoy.

 

Drying Over-Humidified Cigars

 

Place your cigars in a cool, dry room. Never use a bathroom unless you want a watery, unsavable mess.

 

Add dry cedar strips from cigar boxes near your stick, or use an empty cedar box. Cedar is renowned for its ability to absorb moisture, speeding the drying process.

 

Check your cigar by the pinch test every 12 hours. Patience wins here. If it becomes firm again, it’s okay to return the humidor.

 

Never put a cigar directly in the heat or under the sunlight. Cigars are not like clothes; doing so will only ruin the tobacco oils and make it unsmokable.

 

Reviving Under-Humidified Cigars

 

Return cigars to a humidor set to about 65–70% RH. You can use a cigar humidifier or Boveda packs for steady control.

 

This process may take 3–7 days to recover your stick. You can rotate it daily for even moisture. Rushing can split the wrapper, so be gentle and go slow.

 

I’ve brought a few back this way and saved myself from the pain of losing cigars and my money. It also comes with the fulfillment of saving my things all by myself.

 

If you have some that fail the pinch test, save them while they still can.

 

Conclusion

 

Now you know what the pinch test is: a 5-second pinch test that saves you money, time, and bad smokes. It also makes you like a cigar pro who knows their business.

 

It’s not enough to just know something. You have to practice it as well. Try this test on any cigar: at a shop, your friend’s house, or in your humidor — and take the right action.

 

Use this guide to find the optimal setting for your cigar. After finding the most suitable RH range and storage pattern, life will become easier for both you and your cigar.

 

Are there any cigars near you right now? Pinch it immediately if you say “yes”. You just need a little practice, and it becomes muscle memory and a lifelong habit.