Okay...maybe these things have a place, but I just tried one of those Fire by Indian Tabac cigars. Here's my 2 cents, but maybe there's a fan base out there:

When I first lit it up, it was sort of like being assaulted. This huge plume of foul smelling smoke erupted as if I lit a bundle of hair. Speaking of hair, my nose hairs curled up into little balls and my sinuses instantly erupted like someone pepper-sprayed me. (I haven't even started to smoke it yet.)

Once I got this thing lit, my thoughts instantly went to pepper....lots of pepper...like "Instant Hot Death" hot sauce pepper. The thoughts of pepper remained for about 1/3 of this pungently nasty- little robusto.

About 1/3 of the way down, I sort of felt as though I thought I was smoking a small bundle of unfiltered Camel cigarettes bound in black paper.

There was a couple of draws that actually had some flavor, but I think it was at the point my taste buds became paralyzed and the roof of my mouth began to slough off.

I tried hard to enjoy this cigar, but after the neighbor called to see if my compost pile had caught fire (and I assured him it hadn't)... I finally put it out.

Maybe my tastes aren't refined enough....maybe I haven't experienced strong, fremented cigars before...maybe I'm just a wuss....but did Indian Tabac mess up? I like most of what they make... but this was almost my worst cigar experience.

Fortunately I only had one...thought the label looked cool.

I guess it lives up to it's name! Kinda like....Diesel!

What a review! I will be sure to pick up a fiver ASAP!! I knew there was a good reason I gave all of mine away and why I got lots of them in our B-Day club!! LOL!!!

guys, believe it or not i had a Fire robusto when the had the oringal band design. and it was awesome! it reminded me of a Upmann habano.....maybe i just got lucky......

I also bought a box or so of these a while ago with the original band and have found all to be quite flavorful (in a good way too!!). So far they've all had great construction, draw, burn and flavors.

Maybe I was lucky enough to get a 'magic' box, I seem to read mostly negative things about this brand. For a change though I've had only good ones.

Now that one had me rolling! LMAO!

thanks!

Dave

What's this about an "original band" on the Fire's? I purchased some in the last few months.

I have smoked a box of the Toro's, and thought they were pretty smooth but flavorful for a dark wrapper. My wife doesn't think they stink, either, and she's not shy about telling me. Granted, my palate is unrefined, but I certainly would have noticed harshness like that so eloquently described above.

(Mine were banded with a rather wide red w/ yellow stripes, bicolor "Fire", the yellow words "Triple Fermented" at the bottom, reddish flames in between.)

I have smoked quite a few of these and while I enjoy a peppery smoke I did not think these had a lot of pepper flavor.

I have handed quite a few out to some noobs and they all enjoyed them with no pepper complaints. maybe you just got the good box.

Rocky is one of those guys ALMOST everything he puts out I dont like.

GIG'em

I got a couple boxes of the mini corona, and really enjoy them ...

... great quick smoke with lots of flavor for when you are pressed for time ...

Wow, rayder1 ... you must have gotten a dud!

I agree with Slim and Coda. I bought a couple of boxes and passed them around at a Falcons game to my cigar smoking buddies, and the general consenus was very positive. Maybe, like so many closeouts they changed to blend and went the cheap route. I remember smoking some Lone Wolfs and Tamborils that were pretty decent, then they went cheap and really were horrible. I'm glad I still have a few of the old ones resting.

I also had one of the old bands from my local. I loved it. I thought I am going to have to get me a box of these. I did. They were the new bands, and not good at all. I have about 15 left if anyone wants them.

Got a box of the Toros when they first came out. Nothing wrong with them IMHO. They slept for almost a year before I really started smoking them regularly. Not a PAM, but not a Bad Frog, either.

So, is CI selling the old band?

"Since Indian Tabac is making a packaging change on the brand, I squeezed these guys to get me one hell of a deal on this inventory - and passing the savings along."

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-93&cat=3 

DD

Coda:

What I mean about the 'old band' is that the Fire line recently changed to a Corojo wrapper (and thus a new band for the changed line). I'm talking about the original Maduro line. The one you mentioned is the old Maduro.

Few things in life make me happier then a really good bad review on a 'gar I like. Have had several of a couple different sizes and I like them but I tend to like a pretty strong, peppery smoke. Probably the older maddy wrappers.

All the ones I have are maddies.

hey torque, i wouldnt mind trying a couple new ones....jspiroff at centurytel dot net

i couldnt have said it better myself. that was the exact same experience i had with the ones i picked up recently.

428cj -

Thanks for the info... especially since I've been stocking up just for that occasion when they disappear or change.

Double D -

CI/Cbid seem to still be selling the old band (maduro).