So I wasn’t expecting much when I fired one up, but was pleasantly surprised. Like you said, it’s not great – I’d choose a Rocky Patel Sungrown over a 1666 Pirate any day. But it does have some nice complexities. I also experienced the initial kick of spice/pepper out the gate, which faded to complex flavors after that. Notably missing was the common earthy/dirt/peat flavor that a lot of cigars have in the middle (and one that I don’t care for). I even picked up some sweet flavors, like raisin and cinnamon, in the middle.

Overall, it’s a good smoke. I haven’t aged them, but my 5-pack did sit in the humi for about a month before I smoked them all. I kind of had to be in the mood for them. But since then, I’ve found myself wishing I had a few more of the 1666 Pirates in my humi, just for a change of pace. Like you said, they’re pretty good cigars for $3.50 a stick, but yeah I wouldn’t pay $15 for one. I think that’s an inflated price so they can advertise those bundles as “MSRP $150, but you pay only $40!” If you can look past the marketing cheesiness, they’re well worth a try.