Cigar Companero Premiere Editon 2008 Puros Indios Interview

Cigar Compañero had a chance to discuss with Carlos Diez, the new president of Puros Indios Cigars, a little about himself and the Puros Indios company. Through generations cigar families evolve as the times change, the cigars change, but the old family tradition stays the same. Something for sure though, each cigar family has a huge tradition and goal. It's great to see family tradition passed on from one generation to another and here is that story.

Cigar Compañero: Tell us some about growing up? Were you around the business much when you were young and what effect did that have on you in the future?

Carlos Diez: I have practically been in the business, or surrounded by the business since I was born. I was born in Union City, New Jersey in 1977. By then, my Grandfather Rolando Reyes Sr. already had established his Cuba Aliados retail store on 49th street in Union City. I distinctly recall hanging out at the shop at a very young age and seeing my Grandfather rolling & smoking cigars. I will never forget the smell of tobacco as a young boy. It was great!

Cigar Compañero: I heard you started smoking at a young age, my first puff was about the age of 6, I can still remember it, what do you remember?

Carlos Diez: If it was up to my Grandfather, I would have started smoking at a very young age but my parents always told me I had to wait until I was 18. Well, being the typical teenager, I actually took my first puff at 13 years old! Mom, if you are reading this, sorry!

Cigar Compañero: I am sure Mom understands now. Tell us about Rolando Reyes Jr, and Senior? And how did they nurture you in the cigar business, or did they let you make that decision yourself? Family is big in the cigar business and we would like to know how your family helps in all aspects?

Left to Right the Reyes Cigar Family:
Enrique Diez, Oneida Reyes Diez, Rolando Reyes Sr. (seated), Alex Diez, Carlos Diez

Carlos Diez: My grandfather was everything to me when I was growing up. He was the family patriarch and not only did he teach me about his passion, which is tobacco, but he also taught me the virtues of hard work, discipline and respect. This is a man who had to leave everything in Cuba and start from scratch again in this country. Imagine having to do that in your 40's or 50's. I can't imagine that and learning how he made it through adversity taught me that much more about him and makes me respect him that much more.

Cigar Compañero: Do you have a family started yet of your own?

Carlos Diez: I started fairly young. I am happily married with 3 kids. I have 2 daughters and one son, ranging from 4 years to 10 yrs old.

Cigar Compañero: How did college go for you, and how do you think it is going to help you push the company into the future?

Carlos Diez: Finishing college gave me the training I needed in order to handle personnel decisions, budgets, financing, etc... Knowledge of tobacco can only take you so far and combining that with practical business knowledge have allowed me to make important decisions as head of the company.

Cigar Compañero: Where does Carlos fit into the picture with Puros Indios now you are president?

Carlos Diez:I see this as a continuing legacy of the Reyes tradition. Everything I know, I owe it to my Grandfather. I am just an extension of the hard work and foundations he laid out for my family. The big difference between my Grandfather and I, is that I am much more apt to make changes, as evident with the new look and new blends.

Cigar Compañero: We are told that there is a new looks, new name and new blends, can you tell us about them?

Carlos Diez: Well, I decided since this was the year when I was finally promoted to president of the company, I would honor my Grandfather by naming the company after him. He is such a humble man that he never wanted it to be about him. For years I wanted to name the company Rolando Reyes Cigars and now I can finally make that change.

Cigar Compañero: Wow, that is awesome, I am sure Grandpa will be proud. Where do you make your cigars and where do you grow the tobacco?

Carlos Diez: Our factory is located in Danli, Honduras. We grow some of our tobacco in Nicaragua but the rest, we purchase from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic & Brazil.

Cigar Compañero: What is your favorite cigar and it's compañero to go with them?

Carlos Diez: I love to pair a Puros Indios Viejo with a glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Cigar Compañero: I will have to try that combination. What can you tell us about the aging and processing secrets, without giving up the secret of course?

Carlos Diez: We are very keen on aging our tobacco. I believe that after soil, the biggest factor in the taste of a cigar is the age of the tobacco. My grandfather is a firm believer that none of our tobacco is to be used until it is at least 2 to 3 years old, and for some particular blends, such as the new Cuba Aliados Anniversary, the tobacco in this blend is aged 6 years.

Cigar Compañero: What do you think of the industry today? On the fast growing pace and the ever so growing new technology, new ideas, and the quality of cigars today?

Carlos Diez: Aside from the taxation and strict state laws that are constantly placed against our freedoms as cigar smokers, the cigar industry right now is definitely at its strongest when you speak of quality and consistency from brand to brand. This competition between manufacturers is extremely healthy for the industry because it forces us all to put out the best product possible and anything less is unacceptable.

Cigar Compañero: Can you tell us who you think are the best in the industry, besides yourself?

Carlos Diez: If I had to pick a couple, I really have the utmost respect for the Padron and Fuente families.

Cigar Compañero: Yeah, that would have to be mine also, although all the families are doing a great job. Where do you believe you can take Puros Indios in the future?

Rolando Reyes Sr. Cigar Company is currently making 5 unique blends.
Our flagship line, the Puros Indios, has been around since 1995 and the blend has been relatively unchanged. It is a mild to medium cigar that is exceptionally tasty. It sports an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, Ecuador Sumatra binder & four country filler that consist of tobaccos from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Brazil.

The Cuba Aliados brand is my Grandfather's pride and joy.
He has owned this brand since Cuba in the 1940's. It has gone through a variation of blends throughout the years, but for the past 5 years, it is being made with a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, Ecuador Sumatra filler and Nicaraguan filler. This is a medium to full bodied cigar.

The Cienfuegos line has a Habano wrapper, Ecuador binder and Dominican filler. It is bold, medium bodied and rich with flavor.

The Viejo, my personal favorite, has a 7 year aged Ecuador Sumatra wrapper. The binder is from Ecuador and the filler is from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Brazil. This cigar was named one of Cigar Aficionados top 20 cigars for 2006.

This year, we launched the Cuba Aliados 83rd Anniversary blend in honor of my Grandfather's 83rd birthday. It is available in a natural Ecuador Sumatra wrapper or a Maduro Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper. Both versions contain Ecuador binders and Nicaraguan fillers. All tobaccos in this blend are aged a minimum of 6 years.

I'd also like to tell all your readers that our new company logo will officially be out in 2008 along with 2 new blends to commemorate the name change of the company. We will make our first Cameroon wrapped cigar. The other blend has not been finalized to stay tuned for more information on that.
Make sure you log on to www.purosindioscigars.com. Our new website will be up and running in November.

Thank you for allowing me to give your readers information on our company and thank you for your support!
Carlos Diez!

UPDATE Dec. 14th 2007: As of Press Time we received notice that the new Logo has changed a little and the company name is being changed to Reyes Family Cigar Company and the new website is www.reyesfamilycigars.com

Interview taken in October 2007, thanks to Frank Santos, Carlos Diez, and the Reyes Family for their willingness and kindness,
ámelos humos
Marc Cote
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