I received one of those Diplomatic Cohibas (siglo VI) from Ryan in a regular buy from him. Not sure if he got it from TL or from his other friend. The Cohiba band looks legit when compared to other Cohibas I've gotten from members here. The palm tree band I can't compare to as I've only seen it in the thread photos.
I decided to light it up in lieu of what is happening and do my own taste test. Mind you, I cannot taste little complexities like other members, basically just "meh, good, really good or dayum!"
It burned straight, ash was as firm as those pics TL posts, mottled grey and black ash, easy enough draw. I paired it with water to keep my mind focused on the cigar. What got me was I picked up a minty flavor throughout, some fairly good tobacco, but not that familiar taste I get from Cohiba's. I tried to like it, even so far as going halfway, but I had to put it down at the halfway mark.
I took knife to the cigar and slit it lengthwise to see what it had inside. It had all long fillers, no stems, and no hairs, threads, or any foreign objects. Looks like a premium cigar on the inside.
I don't have any more of these nor have I bought any of those palm tree Cohibas from TL. I did buy some Boli 5th Avenidas from TL, and some Cohiba maduros, but have yet to light any of those up so I will try my luck with them in the near future.
This is just my newbie view on what I smoked, this has nothing to do with how I do business with TL or Ryan.
If one of you more experienced members want to compare your own Boli 5th Avenida or Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios to what I bought, and do a side by side let me know, I'll send it to you. I think this will help everyone involved.
Dave