Indian Motorcycle Cigar Review & Pairing with Silk & Spice

What's your next cigar to light up and pair? With all the incredible cigars available to light up, this post features a rare cigar. And a first for me. If you have lit up one of these, it might be a firm favourite. It's a brand with a big history but a little more unknown compared to the big brands available. And if you love motorcycles or ride a bike, this might be your cigar brand. Today we take a look and a puff on the Indian Motorcycle cigar.

Cigars & Mototbikes

Cigars and motorbikes go together. It's a combination of freedom and luxury. And also a bit of a masculine, macho play on doing what suits you best. Life is short and fast. Do what you love. If the idea of smoking a cigar while cruising on a bike works, why not?

Although I prefer less wind while lighting a cigar, I do relate to the idea of taking on the open road. Start with a roar and set out on a slow cruise while puffing on your favourite smoke.

No relighting needed.

The Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars

Indian Motorcycle®, America`s First Motorcycle Company and Debonaire joined to capture the essence of the brand`s heritage with a new ultra-premium cigar range. Since 1901 Indian Motorcycle has produced some of the most iconic American V-twin motorcycles.

The Indian Motorcycle Premium Cigars, developed by 6th-generation cigar makers, are premium.

The Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars Story

These cigars are a blend of the most sought-after Central America, Dominican, and American tobaccos produced. The exceptional blend offers an inviting, full- flavoured well-balanced smoking experience. It's a quality cigar brand.

The Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars line is a new brand. Introduced by Debonaire Cigars co-owner Phil Zanghi at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show. Zanghi announced that he had re-acquired the rights to the Indian Tabac trademark. Indian Tabac was a partnership between Zanghi and Rocky Patel. In 2002, Zanghi sold the company to Patel to focus on other areas in the cigar business. But then returned to premium cigars in 2012.

Instead of bringing back Indian Tabac, Zanghi created a new brand called Indian Motorcycle Cigars. This brand incorporates a theme based on the popular motorcycle brand. The new brand also introduces two all-new blends – a Habano and Maduro blend.

Let's light up the Indian Motorcycle Habano in the Robusto size.

The Indian Motorcycle brand stretches back to Springfield, Massachusetts. A range manufactured from 1901 to 1953. After the original Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company went bankrupt, several companies acquired the brand. Including Zanghi’s father.

But then in 2011, Polaris Industries acquired the company and maintained the early-Americana theme for the bikes.

The new Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigar line incorporates the early-Americana motorbikes theme on the branding.

Let’s take a closer look at the Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto.

Indian Motorcycle Blend Profile

The Indian Motorcycle Habano utilizes a Habano wrapper from Ecuador. This differs from the Debonaire Habano line which uses a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper.

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador

Binder: Dominican San Vincente

Filler: HVA Ligero, Nicaraguan Seco, Piloto Cubano

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (De Los Reyes)

The Indian Motorcycle Maduro uses the same binder and filler as the Indian Motorcycle Habano.

Indian Motorcycle Appearance

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto has a medium brown colour with almost a cinnamon tint to it. The cigar wrapper has a beautiful oily sheen.

The wrapper has an oily complexion. There are some thin visible veins and a few thin wrapper seams.

The band features an antique white background. On the centre of the band is an antique-white Indian Motorcycle logo sitting on a metallic red circular background.

Surrounding the circular logo is a thick brown ring with the text “INDIAN MOTORCYCLE” on the top. 1901 on the bottom part both in antique white font.

To the left of the logo is “Hand Made” in a small brown font. To the right is the text “Dominican Republic” in the small brown font. There is a black stripe across the top and one across the bottom of the band. Each stripe has some gold on it. The lower stripe is thicker and features a gold ribbon on it with the words “ULTRA PREMIUM CIGARS” in white font.

The band also has a few oil-like smudges across the top centre and sides of the band. These smudges play on the early-Americana motorcycle theme.

Indian Motorcycle, Preparation for the Cigar Experience

Before lighting up the Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto, I did a V cut to remove the cap.

Indian Motorcycle Dry AROMA

Herbal

Damp oak

Aged Tobacco

Wilted winter leaves

Caramel and light coffee aromas

The pre-light draw deliveries prominent aged tobacco notes with some caramel and herby notes. The pre-light draw and aromas of the cigar is pleasant.

Ready to light up?

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper on the Indian Motorcycle is dark brown and displays a few noticeable veins. The cigar has a nice oily sheen. The band features the famed Indian Motorcycle logo with red foil adding a striking colourful touch.

Indian Motorcycle Dry Draw

Grassy

Creamy

Light & Airy

Low Resistance

Marshmellow sweetness

Indian Motorcycle Flavour Profile

The Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto started with a mix of aged tobacco, pepper spice, caramel, and natural tobacco sweetness. The early stages of the cigar show the caramel flavours in the forefront with the herbal, pepper, and aged tobacco moving to the background.

The cigar notes have balanced sweetness from the aged tobacco and spice. The herby and pepper spice is subtle.

In the second part of the Indian Motorcycle Habano, the natural tobacco sweetness move into the forefront. The spices transition to the background. The combination is a mix of baker’s spice, and pepper along with a slight sweetness. As the cigar moved through the second and the second third, the cigar develops light nutty caramel flavours.

The last third didn’t see too much change. There is a slight increase in the spicy notes, but it still doesn't overwhelm your palate.

Indian Motorcycle Burn and Draw

The Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto scores well when it comes to both burn and draw. The burn of the Habano Robusto is smooth from start to finish.

The ash has a silver-grey colour with some dark streaks. The ash is not too firm, or loose. Smoking the cigar warm brought up the dryness. I settled into a slower smoking pace to keep the cigar cool and to experience the softer flavours.

Burn of the Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto is even.

The draw is perfect. Airy and smooth. I categorized the draw as airy. It is a low-maintenance cigar.

Indian Motorcycle Strength and Body

Strength and body:

To me, the Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto delivered a medium to full experience from start to finish. I didn’t find much variance in the cigar as it progressed.

Strength versus body.

I find both strength and body balances each other well. If you enjoy a mild to fuller puff, the cigar offers very good consistency and body.

Indian Motorcycle Final Thoughts

The Indian Motorcycle Habano Robusto is an impressive cigar. The Habano balances sweetness and spice, although I did find the cigar too dry for my palate.

All in all, it's a cigar for the novice or seasoned cigar lovers. The cigar profile is not overwhelming or too complex.

Indian Motorcycle Summary

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium to Full

Body: Medium to Full

Finish: Excellent

Now, what to pair with the Indian Motorcycle cigar?

I chose a Portuguese red wine called Silk & Spice.

Let's take a closer look at the Silk & Spice tasting notes and pairing characteristics with food and cigars.

Silk & Spice Portuguese red wine and Cigar pairing

SILK & SPICE RED 2021

TYPE: Still COLOUR: Red

Country of Origin: Portugal

The Wine

Silk & Spice is a tribute to the adventure, knowledge and courage of the Portuguese sailors. They explored the world in the 15th century opening the silk and spice trade routes between Europe and Asia.

Silk & Spice is a wine meant to taste and discover.

Current Silk & Spice tasting notes

Intense, deep ruby colour, with a bright red rim. The predominant flavours are ripe, cooked black fruits. Sweet notes of vanilla and hints of mocha. The first impression in the mouth is rich and full. Excellent balance of tannins and acidity, with a long, smooth finish.

Harvest Year 2022

It was a cold and rainy winter compared to normal years. Spring recorded temperatures higher than normal. April 2020 was a particularly rainy month. The summer months recorded high temperatures also above normal. The harvest began at the end of August, extending into September.

Winemaker: Diogo Sepulveda

VARIETIES:

35% Touriga Nacional,

35% Alicante

Bouschet, 1

5% Baga,

10% Syrah,

5% Tinta Roriz

Winemaking

Grapes harvested by variety.

When the grapes arrive at the winery, the winemaker destems the grapes and then carries the grapes to fermentation vats, where the vinification process occurs. Alcoholic fermentation took place for around 8 days, at an average temperature of 26°C.

Maturation

After the alcoholic fermentation, they must the rack to separate the wine from the rough sediments. Then it rested in stainless steel vats up until the bottling day.

How to store the wine

Store the bottles This wine's fresh and fruity profile is perfect to open and enjoy now.

The wine has a suggested ageing potential of at least 5 years.

How to serve the wine

Serve at 15°C-17oC.

How to Enjoy the Silk & Spice red wine

The balanced profile and sweetness make this wine an easy-to-taste wine. It also makes for an exceptional mealtime wine.

Keep it simple with delicious grilled meat and cheeseburgers or go bolder with slow-cooked stews and meat dishes.

Technical details

Álchol: 13,5% ±0,5

Acid Total: 5,8 g/L ±0,3 (ácido tartárico)

Residual sugar 15 g/L ±0,5

pH: 3,6 ±0,1

Gluten-Free

Suitable for Vegans: Yes

Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes

Portugal wine

Indian Motorcycle The First Puff

The first tastes are smooth and light with creamy and aged tobacco notes. The cigar has hints of marshmallow sweetness.

The draw and puff are light and airy with subtle caramel flavours. The tobacco flavours are light, with aged notes. The cigar is a lighter smoke but quite dry.

During the first part of the Indian Motorcycle cigar, there are hearty notes of damp earth. Notes of hay, backed by light caramel and marshmallow sweetness develop on the finish.

Halfway into the cigar, subtle coffee and chocolate flavours develop, adding a few extra flavours. The cigar burns crisp and even, with no touch-ups required.

Indian Motorcycle The Cigar Evolution

The cigar develops into smoky vanilla and hot caramel aromas. Each puff has rich flavours of dark chocolate, spice, and a long-lasting sweet tobacco finish replacing the mild spiciness. The cigar remains dry though.

Sandeman 30 Year Old Port

Special selected Ports age in wooden casks, with Gradual exposure to air, which concentrates the flavours and matures the ruby colours to amber. The process creates the rare and delicious Sandeman Porto Tawny 30-Year-Old.

The ageing process intensifies the fruit, creating the complex flavours characteristic of Tawny Port. The Port is a perfect ending to any meal and an inspiration for good conversation.

Tasting Notes

- Old gold amber colours with intense aromas of honey and spices.

- Underscored with deep flavours of dried apricots, hazelnuts and vanilla, creating a rich yet elegant combination.

Technical Details

ORIGIN DOC: Porto

REGION: Douro

ALCOHOL 20%

TOTAL SUGARS 120 g/L

TOTAL ACIDITY 5,5 g/L(Tartic Acid)

pH3,55

• SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS - No

• SUITABLE FOR VEGAN - No

• Gluten-Free

• ALLERGENS Contains sulfites
• 
  

Finish your cigar with the perfect sweet and nutty accompaniment. The Sandeman 30 year aged Tawny Port is exceptional and the perfect way to end your cigar.

Indian Motorcycle The Last Part

In the last part, the cigar remains consistent. The flavours are also consistent throughout the entire cigar. It's an easy puff although I am not a huge fan of the dryness. I paired the cigar with a bolder juicy Portuguese red wine to add sweetness. The juicy wine does help to soften the dryness. It could be my palate but, the dry hay and grassy notes remained from start to finish.

The draw remains effortless while producing solid white ash. The thick smoke clouds produce hints of sweetness and mild coffee caramel flavours.

Indian Motorcycle Final Cigar Conclusion

I will be honest. The Indian Motorcycle Habano is not up there with the very best cigars that I have smoked. Although its uncomplicated flavours, top-notch construction, and mild aromas, make it a great filler cigar between other bolder cigars. I haven't smoked the Maduro. What I did read was that the Maduro is an excellent cigar to light up compared to the Habano.

To soften the Habano dryness pair a Silk & spice Portuguese red with your cigar. The wine has abundant fruit flavours ideal for medium to full-bodied cigars. The Sandeman 30 year old Port is unbeatable. The sweetness and nutty tastes of the aged Port rounds off the cigar perfectly.

In a cigar world filled with exceptional cigars, I place the well-made Indian Motorcycle Habano as an easy puff. If you enjoy a grassy, hay-flavoured cigar, the Habano could suit your palate very well.

I would try the Maduro.

To light up an Indian Motorcycle cigar, Click this link below.

Light up an Indian Motorcycle Cigar