It looks like one problem may be humidification.
The burn looks uneven. Could be due to the stick being at the top of the humidor and getting a lot of moisture and/or not rolling the cigars to get the dry side up. If the cigar gets too much moisture, it will swell up giving a tight draw. When the leaves burn and turn in to ash they dry out and expand, this expansion could be where the split is coming from.
Or it could be a Linda Blair Especial
