The Trouble With Puros Indios

The trouble with Puros Indios cigars is their unreliability. I say this with a heavy heart, as several of my experiences smoking Puros Indios have been among the best ever, equal to or better than more expensive brands.

What initially excited me was the unique Puros Indios flavor, evident particularly in the Maxima Reserva and Double Maduro lines. There was a wheaty, woody wholesomeness with undertones of sweet honeycomb or graham cracker that tasted unlike anything I'd smoked before. However, it was difficult to duplicate these experiences from cigar to cigar.

I found, for example, that when smoking the Maxima Reserva (toro) for a second time, the flavor was less pronounced. The third time, the cigar burned too fast and unevenly, though the flavor was back in fine form. The Doble Maduro toro, in contrast, tasted bland the first time, grandly creamy the second time, and burned jaggedly both times--so badly that the last 2 inches couldn't be smoked. The Viejo,the strangest of them all, often smokes extremely mild for the first half, then blossoms to full-throttled power for the second. Or maybe not, depending on your luck. The draw might be to loose, or just right, depending again on your luck.

The Cuba Aliados (corojo toro) and Cienfuegos (blazer/toro), the more expensive of the Puros Indios offerings, are overpriced and lacking in flavor. In the case of the Aliados, the flavor is actually mushroomy and putrid. Both blends underperform consistently, and at least they're reliable in that sense: You can stay away from them without worrying that you've missed out.

And the lowly cheapo? The "Flor del Todo" toro priced at 40 for 40 bucks? Actually not a bad cigar for the price. A hint of cinnamon, hint of wheat. Actually worth the whole dollar you pay for it.

Finally, the plain old standard Puros Indios maduros are serviceable although not memorable. Strong, a bit dry, and a hint of the wheaty sweetness that excited me way back when. But just a hint.

So, several varieties of Puro Indios and six months later, my fascination with the brand has come to a virtual standstill. Call it a case of early infatuation: Cigar seems unique and exciting, but on second and third date turns out to be inconsistent. You just can't trust Puros Indios: Sometimes you get the ride of your life; sometimes you're left stranded by the side of the road.

If you're willing to buy a whole box of Maxima Reservas or Double Maduros and throw out every third one that tastes wrong or burns badly, you'll be in for a treat with the rest. But that just seems wrong. If a hundred other brands can make consistent cigars - good or bad - why can't Puros Indios? It's a shame, because when Puros Indios is good, it's VERY good. Fantastic, in fact. Just don't bet on it.