I think I could just be wet. I have not had any curly heads but I was given a few locally made John Hay cigars a few months ago that were so wet if I squeezed them hard enough I probably could have got some moisture out of them. (Ok maybe not but you get my point)
I let them dry out for a few months and they smoked fine with no problem of getting smoke out of them.
They certainly were not the best cigars I have ever smoked but not to bad for what their price is and for being short filler...