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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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk