“The Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto was an impressive cigar. This cigar made a favorable impression out out of the gate – and with each subsequent cigar impressed me some more.”

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Dominican San Vincente
Filler: HVA Ligero, Nicaraguan Seco, Piloto Cubano
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (De Los Reyes)
Robusto: 5 x 50
Review: Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto
Brand Appearances on Countdown: 2 (2014, 2015)

Coming in at #22 is Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto.  This is new brand launchd by Phil Zanghi’s House of Debonaire. Last year, Zanghi re-acquired the rights to the Indian Tabac trademark(Indian Tabac was originally a partnership between Zanghi and Rocky Patel.  In 2002, he sold the company to Patel to focus on other areas in the cigar business before returning to premium cigars in 2012. Instead of bringing back Indian Tabac, Zanghi opted to go in a different direction and create a whole new brand called Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars. This brand incorporates a theme based on the popular motorcycle brand.  Two blends were released this year, a Habano and a Maduro.

This cigar lands House of Debonaire on the Countdown for the second consecutive year. It also is the third Ecuadorian Habano wrapped cigar to land on this year’s Countdown.

The Indian Motorcycle Habano uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Dominican San Vincente binder and filler of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The Robusto size is offered in a classic 5 x 50 vitola. The packaging and banding incorporate an early Americana theme reminiscent of the early days of Indian Motorcycle.

The Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto delivers notes of cedar, natural tobacco, nut, and red pepper. This cigar is a textbook case at balancing sweetness (from the natural tobacco and cedar) and spice (from the red pepper , baker’s spice, and once again the cedar). The retro-hale really enhances the overall flavor profile. There is a nice equilibrium between the strength and body as both are medium to full – the perfect level for this flavor profile.

While price is not a factor in how a cigar lands on the Countdown, this cigar is one of great value. At $7.00, it delivers a wonderful, well-balanced, flavorful blend combined with some outstanding packaging as a bonus. It easily could be mistaken for a cigar valued at twice the price.

For details of the 2015 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our December 2015 Editor’s Corner