The story of Indian Motorcycle is a complicated one with the company going bankrupt in 1953. In 2011, the producer of some of the greatest bikes in history was purchased by Polaris Industries and the company is thriving once again. On the May 9, 2015 episode of The Cigar Authority Phil Zanghi discussed his family history with the brand and what led to the creation of Indian Motorcycle Cigars.
The Shade version of the cigar started as an exclusive in Canada before heading stateside. It was in the December Cigar Authority Care Package and today’s feature review.
Cigar Review: Indian Motorcycle Shade
Wrapper: Ecuador Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Robusto: 50
Size: Robusto
The Look: Packaged in a paper covered cabinet style box featuring the Indian Motorcycle logo, the cigars come in 20 count boxes. Inside, the cigars feature a band with the Indian Motorcycle logo. The shade grown wrapper has a dry look to it that feels slightly sandy under the fingers. The cigar is firm to the touch with no soft spots and a well packed foot.
The Notes: Once the cap is clipped I am treated to a very fluid cold draw with notes of earth and hay. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has a subtle butterscotch with a hint of cedar. Once the cigar is lit the butterscotch taste from the cold draw makes itself known on the first few puffs.
Moving into the first third of the cigar there is a dominant wheat profile with a hint of lingering butterscotch. In the background is a subtle cedar component with a long finish. The retrohale is exceptionally smooth with almost no pepper and a touch of raisin sweetness.
The second third of the Indian Motorcycle sees the notes of butterscotch linger in the background while the raisin sweetness from the retrohale occasionally shows up on the palate with a continuing dominant wheat. The retrohale is still elegantly smooth with a touch of mocha.
The final third sees notes of wheat remain with a touch of honey sweetness. The sweetness which was constant as a background note throughout the cigar changes up during each third to create enough of a complexity to the constant wheat to keep me interested throughout. The retrohale in the final third saw a touch of pepper enter the mix.
The Finish: Back in the day I used to smoke a lot of Davidoff Short Perfecto cigars when they used an authentic Connecticut wrapper. I lost interest in them sometime after they changed to an Ecuador wrapper as I noticed a difference. I found myself sitting here smoking this cigar thinking how much it reminded me of the flavor profile of that cigar, despite the fact that this utilized an Ecuador wrapper. It’s a milder cigar with a nice flavor profile and a tasty finish that is worthy of a ride.
Score: 93
Price: $7.69 / $134.99
Indian Motorcycle Shade
Indian Motorcycle Shade Foot
Indian Motorcycle Shade Burn
