We were just discussing the lack of specials or closeouts and credit to Gonz and Kieth one appears for Thomas Hinds. I haven't smoked one of these in a while, any comments?

Well...since you asked....I won a 5 pack some time back. 2 of the 5 were damaged by beatles, which I tossed imediately and yes, CB's CS took care of it. I smoked one that week and it was pretty bad, IHMO. Harsh, grassy, not much flavor, maybe a little woody but I think the wood was rotten. I smoked the second one two weeks later and it seemed worse than the first. I still have one in my humidor....maybe age will perform a small miracle...maybe not.

that is most interesting! I got a box dirt cheap of the vintage robusto, and three cigars in the box also had beetle holes! In fact the only cigar I ever bought with beetle holes were these! So perhaps one should be cautious here. Otherwise a decent smoke, many had a tight draw though, but the ones that smoked well did have a meaty heavy taste to it. I smoked the last one of that box tonight in fact, and don't think I will be adding anymore. Age does help, but I just can't be past the draw problems, and if the box wasn't so cheap I would have been somewhat pissed for the number I had to toss.

I bought a box of these a while back and they have been aging in my cooler-dor for at least six months now. I have smoked three from the box and the second of the three had a tight draw.....the draw was fine on the other two. They are a faily mild smoke and I relagate them to my, "on my to work in the morning, smoke". I have not witnessed any beetle holes.....but then I prophylactically freeze all my cigars before they find their resting place in any of my humidors. I would say that these cigars are worth what CB is asking as the opening bid.