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Gurkha Beast

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Sep 11, 2014
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356
Location
St. Louis, MO
Let me preface by saying that, no, I don't typically buy Gurkhas, but I'm not opposed to smoking them when they're a) cheap and b) I don't feel like smoking a nicer stick for whatever reason. I also don't review ever, but just felt like it tonight. I don't feel like I have the greatest palate to be able to identify flavors, but I do know what I do and don't like.

This Beast has been dwelling in the bottom of my humidor for about 2.5 years after coming in a CI sampler that contained a bunch of AJ and AB sticks that I wanted to try. Unfortunately it also came with a bunch of Gurkha sticks that I didn't want. But for an average price of $2.78, ok whatever. I had a three hour drive tonight, and wanted something to get me through the drive. Since I'm currently trying to get rid of older, cheap sticks, this cigar fit the bill for tonight.

So this was the 6.5x58 Gordo size, not the 7.1x58 salomon size that's also been in my humidor for a couple of years. I don't know where that one came from. It's almost like all of the other Gurkhas in my humis collectively shit that thing out. No idea. I cut this monster with my trusty Xikar ZX v cutter, which is my preferred cut, and then light up with a Colibri single torch. The pack is pretty firm, and the wrapper isn't all that terrible to look at. Unfortunately, I have no pictures, because driving 75 mph and taking pictures of a cigar is probably frowned on.

The draw starting out was fairly tight, and I didn't seem to be getting a lot of smoke out, but that got better as I smoked it. I'm really not a fan of cigars his large. I've usually been a Robusto guy, or anything smaller. I was forced to do a touch up right after lighting because apparently I missed a spot.

The flavors were definitely lacking. I'd say there was a lot of cedar and leather notes. Interestingly I picked up some hints of mint with about two inches to go, but it didn't last long. Not much else, which is really boring as hell when you're smoking the same thing for two hours. I thought the smoke was very dry, and I found myself reaching for water frequently. The ash held on nicely instead of falling into my lap speeding up the interstate, instead letting me tap it off every 1.5" or so. From what I could tell in the dark, the burn line was pretty even, but I did do a minor touch up about half way through. I've smoked fresher Gurkhas that usually have major construction issues, but this did not. I do think most Gurkhas do better with age.

Overall, I would have much rather smoked something else tonight, but this wasn't terrible. If you're looking for something cheap, a relatively long smoke, that's one dimensional, then I'd still probably try and find something else. In a pinch, maybe.




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May 24, 2016
Messages
308
Location
NJ
Nice review! I'm still pretty new to cigars and at the time of getting in to them Gurkha was just everywhere (and still is). I'm not a fan nor am I hater of them. I've had three different makes and while they are decent, it's nothing I'd rave over. I also only had them from CI brown bags. Construction was always good and the ash held on way longer than expected but the taste was just middle of the road. But I'm glad to see that someone else doesn't mind having a Gurkha just as something to have to make room for something else.
 
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Jul 4, 2016
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Location
Indianapolis, Indiana
I've got a few Beast in my humidor. I'd have to say that your review is pretty spot on. Nothing to write home about. However, the Beast is usually cheap and they love to throw them in samplers. For less than 3 bucks, they're not bad. I don't like smoking anywhere, but a relaxing chair, preferably while enjoying a book and drink. I very rarely smoke anywhere that is distracting with noise and rowdy folk. But when I do, I like a simple cigar that is constructed well, won't taste like the backside of a horse, and is cheap. The Beast fits that bill. For me, one that chooses to relax with a smoke, keeping a Beast or two around for such occasions is nice.


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I would like to say I'm not one of the love them or hate them crowd that tend to follow Gurkhas. There are some that I like and some I think are dog turds. I still buy them when there cheap and ones I know I like or have strong reviews. In fact, I just got a few 5-packs yesterday. Planning on aging 2-3 from each one and smoking a couple over the next month.


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Nacho Daddy

Irrepressibly Irreverent Inveterate Ignominy
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Jul 17, 2009
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I find it hard to believe that anyone is wasting time and space discussing Gurkha.
 
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Sep 11, 2014
Messages
356
Location
St. Louis, MO
I find it hard to believe that anyone is wasting time and space discussing Gurkha.
And yet, here you are. Not all of us smoke HTF, LE, or CCs averaging $15 a stick. Just trying my hand at an honest attempt at a review, while discussing a cigar that hasn't been reviewed on here. While I'm generally against Gurkha due to multiple reasons, I'm not against trying their stuff under the right conditions. If we're going to limit discussion on this board to uber expensive Cuban cigars, rolled by virgins, aged 20 years at perfect conditions and then smuggled into the US in the vaginas of pink unicorns.... Most of us have nothing to talk about, then.

/rant


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sofc

I hate E and Chef
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If you didn't like it, for around the same price you can get much better sticks.

But people here seem to go with the motto "smoke what you like." I think that's a stupid line but hey, I'm fancy.
 
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The thing with Gurkhas is that its hard to say who makes them. I believe that most or all used to be made by Carlos Tarano, which for me explains why I didn't like them one bit. It is my understanding that some (all?) of their cigars are now made by AJ Fernandez. If thats the case I'd certainly give one a try.
 
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Joined
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Messages
356
Location
St. Louis, MO
The thing with Gurkhas is that its hard to say who makes them. I believe that most or all used to be made by Carlos Tarano, which for me explains why I didn't like them one bit. It is my understanding that some (all?) of their cigars are now made by AJ Fernandez. If thats the case I'd certainly give one a try.
I didn't know that Torano was rolling some,but I'm pretty sure the Hyde Parks are made by Fuente, or maybe it was RyJ. I forgot now. I'm not a fan of a lot of the Torano stuff that are the CI exclusives, but the Exodus line, especially the 50 years, is solid.


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The July 7th Cigar Federation podcast had the new marketing director from Gurkha on and he claimed they had over 800 SKU numbers in their catalog and sold 18 million cigars last year. Some people like their stuff.
 

Nacho Daddy

Irrepressibly Irreverent Inveterate Ignominy
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"Not all of us smoke HTF, LE, or CCs averaging $15 a stick"
and you are wrong in thinking that I do.
I do not support the super- rare- double- band -over- price- bling -bullshit.
never saw the point.
 
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Nov 19, 2016
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When I have non smoker friends over will pick up a fiver as they are impressed by size of these sticks and are not total did rockets lie Quorum or Victor Sinclair. However they do seem to blow up frequently.
 
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