I was getting ready for Monday night football and decided I would allow the rough looking Aliados Robusto that had been stabilizing in my humidor for about five weeks to keep me company during the game. I had read in several vendors’ websites about the Aliados and I believe they were touted as Rolando’s labor of love; I had good expectations, but in the end, the cigar turned out to be as boring as the game�unless you�re a Seattle fan, of course!
The Aliados looked pretty sloppy to begin with. From cap to foot, I couldn’t imagine that much time and attention had gone into the making of it. Regardless, the wrapper had a very attractive color and a pleasantly sweet aroma of cacao and butter. The large ring gauge gave me the sense that this would be a fun smoke little smoke.
It wasn’t until I lit the stick and took a few puffs that I began to have suspicions of disappointment. I mean, it lit rather well, but the smoke it gave off had some hints of harshness that really shouldn�t be there so soon in any cigar. The predominant flavor was just woody and with something like a bitter cedar overtone. Though I was suspicious, I smoked on.
The ash really began to spell disaster pretty soon after lighting. It was as crumbly as it gets and I didn’t even get past the first third before it fell off. Simply put, it exploded upon impact with the ashtray; something that have rarely seen, even in the drugstore cigar I smoked in the Cigar Basics Video. The burn was definitely irregular by now, and I began to wonder if I wanted to waste my taste buds on this stick.
Into the second third, as if for a minute, I thought perhaps the cigar would redeem itself. The smoke became a bit more aromatic, and I sensed some distinct notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. Still, the bitter cedar was clearly present and the smoke was a tad harsh and ashy.
At around the beginning of the last third, the smoke became very ashy and took on a definite ammonia twang. By now, I started to consider which cigar I would smoke next to try and cover up the terrible taste I had in my mouth; thus, about twenty minutes after lighting the cigar, I decided to pull the plug before the stick lost whatever dignity it had left.
If there’s anyone out there that absolutely loves this cigar, I’d be really interested in your comments. As it stands right now, I’d be happy to never have to face another one of these again. Life’s just too short to smoke bad cigars!
Lance
November 7, 2006 at 1:01 pm
I have to agree with you as I bought a couple of 5 packs of those and have been severely dissapointed. Put simply, they stink.
I also have several sizes of Puros Indios and they are mostly horrible as well with one or two exceptions.
If anyone likes these cigars I’ll happily trade you for them! :)
cigarfan
November 10, 2006 at 11:42 pm
I think you may have gotten a fake, EZ. I hear there are a lot of problems with counterfeit Aliados in Europe. Rolando Reyes better look into putting serial numbers on these.
But seriously, this is usually an unassuming, innocuous cheapo smoke. I’ve never had one I’d call harsh. Boring, yes, but not harsh. I’ve found them to be decent yard gars as long as you don’t smoke them past the two thirds mark, which it looks like you did. OOPS!
E.Z.
November 12, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Man, that’s just a tough one to contemplate right now. I mean, I get my regular habanos from these guys and they’re not in the fakes business. Other people have told me that they sort of like a love of hate cigar; and I guess its hate with me…
Federico Ramos
February 9, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Hello…
i just want to say something.
1.- i live in Honduras and i know the Puros Indios Cigars Factory.
2.- I smoke very often Aliados.
3.- That is not a Cuba Aliados Cigar.
Regards
Federico Ramos
E.Z.
February 11, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Federico, this the european version of the Cuba Aliados, sold under “Tabacco Aliados” label. I have a hard time believing that there is real profit from counterfeiting a hondurian cigar. I mean, I do business with this tobacconist all the time and they’re never passed a fake Cuban cigar.
Federico
February 12, 2007 at 12:02 pm
OK.
Ididnt know that.
but is is hard to believe what i am looking at in the pictures.
I smoke aliados 3 or 4 times a week, and since i saw this pictures i´ve been looking very close when i smoke, the ash buring and……. i´ve never smoked an aliados that imperfect as you show in the pictures.
Tyler
May 19, 2009 at 11:45 am
Gents,
I remember smoking the CA Toro Extra years ago (circa 1995) and thought it to be one of the finest cigars I had ever had. For what little it’s worth, it garnered a 93 score from what I now refer to as Hollywood Afficianado. I was about to get reacquainted with my one-time fave until I read this thread. Like Federico, I am shocked by the photos and your description, E.Z. and hope that this once outstanding brand hasn’t fallen so far from grace. I tried the Puros Indios and Roly some time ago (some of which are still aging in my humidor) and found them boring in contrast to the CA (hence the “aging” I suppose). I’ve always enjoyed Honduran smokes and the CA was once at the top of my list. What a downer if your experience is a true representation of the current state of affairs at Reyes.
David
January 1, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I’ve been told that most of the Reyes cigars are either “love em or hate em”. I guess I fall into the latter. I’ve tried several bundles of Rolys and Puros Indios boxes and continue to be disappointed. I do enjoy the flavor, but construction tends to be sub-standard and there are so many other awesome cigars at or below that price-point that it would seem to be a waste of time.
Mike
August 10, 2010 at 10:18 pm
I disagree completely. I just smoked a Cuba Aliados Robusto (maduro) and loved it. The burn was impeccably even – razor sharp across – and the ash gave way on its own at just over 2 inches. The flavor had a hint of sweetness (you call it ‘nutmeg’ and I’ll agree) which complemented the toasted leather (like a Montecristo #4) and the aroma was fantastic throughout. I first tried it as part of a sampler pack from primostogies.com. This cigar is my top 3 and I’ve been enjoying cigars for nearly thirty years. It’s a bargain! Impeccable, superb, exceptional, and top-notch! I also like the Cienfuegos. The only thing I can think which may have effected your experience is that you smoked a dry cigar – or you somehow got a bad one. I leave all mine in the humidor for two weeks after I receive them – just to make sure they’re properly acclimated. You gotta give this cigar another shot! I’ll gladly provide pictures of how well the ash stayed. This cigar is legit!
Mike
August 10, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Have you tried the Cuba Aliados, Aliados Miami, or Cienfuegos? I think they are delicious and they’re construction is significantly better than the Puros Indios. Your thoughts about Puros Indios are spot on though!