Gents, this cigar did not live up to the built-up expectation. I will not go out on the limb and state that it is over-rated because I want to smoke another one before a total and crippling slam. The drag was satisfactory but the burn was somewhat uneven (it was well-lit with a splendid v-cut). The puff itself was not too shabby. The problem is, simply, it was tasteless. Well, not totally tasteless as there was a hint of dirt. Rolando Reyes is well advised to monitor Quality Control at the Honduras plant as it appears that the dust-pan plays a key but undesired role. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper was a yawner and who knows what country the filler came from: Brazil? DR? Nicaragua? Thank goodness for the fine pairing: Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva. But, to be fair, I will give Puros Indios another chance given the hype.
CS Rating (for now): a weak 2
The night was still young - to quote a trite cliche - so I reached into my humidor to extinguish the taste of the Puros Indios dirt stick. In my hand was an old reliable, Santiago Cabana Robusto Maduro. It was the perfect antidote: sweet, flavorful, plenty of smoke, long ashes.
CS Rating: 3.5
El Alcalde
I have not tried the PIE#4M, but I have tried Reyes' other cigars, including the PI Viejo and the Cuba Aliados and enjoyed them. They are not the world's greatest cigars, but then they are not meant to be. Reyes makes very inexpensive "for everyman" cigars that have a very good draw, burn well, and can be smoked every day without busting a working man's budget. While they are not my favorite cigars, I appreciate them for what they are and actually prefer them over the substantially more expensive Rocky Patels, HdMs, Graycliffs, Zinos, most and other so-called premium cigars, not to mention most of the over-rated and unsmokeable Communist Cuban cigars.--Mamey
ReplyDeleteI just smoked a PI Siembra de Oro. It's a cute little cigar with the traditional Cuban pigtail, Sumatra wrapper, and aged Honduran filler. As is typical with PIs it gives you lots of smoke, good even burn, and white ash at a bargain price. It is not as flavorful as the good Nicaraguan tobaccos, but then again, it's a stick that you can enjoy every day without breaking the bank. For me, the Reyes cigars separate the men from the boys. If you can't beat a PI you have no business charging a premium price for your stick.--Mamey
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