My neighbor went to Cuba a few weeks ago. He visited a tobacco farm and bought these from the farmer - 10 smokes rolled up iin a banana leaf minus two we sampled tonight:
Sorry yeah I hit the hay right after posting. They were a bout a 40 ring by ~5" and a little dry... he doesn't have a humidor. They still burned straight and tasted very fresh though. No sourness or harshness throughout. I'm not a con-a-sewer so I can't wax poetic about flavor and aroma but it was a very enjoyable smoke. Not exceptional though beyond the cool factor of getting them at the source. I hope a few weeks in my humidor will save that bundle from being so dried out.
With the source being as "iffy" as you described, I would highly advise putting them in several zip lock bags and then in your freezer for at least 4 days, then a day in the fridge, then a day at room tem before putting in your humidor. Tobacco beetles. Ask me how I know!!
Some say it makes no difference, but after an "infestation" I used this practice and never had a problem again.
I'm "over" Cuban cigars. Some are incredible, some are crap. It's kinda neat to smoke the real deal & there's the thrill of doing something illicit, but I just don't get it.