Pre-light thoughts: This is my first Gurkha cigar (and a super-cheapy at that). So I am trying to go in open-minded - to give my honest opinion without taking into account the price or band.
Buuutttt...
Since objectivity is impossible, I'll just say that yes, I am aware of the bad-rap Gurkha gets, and I am also aware that several of the super-cheap sticks I've bought have been, well...they've been what I paid for.
So that being said, the cigar looks quite nice. It's got a very deep, dark chocolate aroma to it. The wrapper is flawless, and the construction seems quite good. No soft or hard spots, the cap is applied firmly and evenly.
Upon cutting it, the pre-light draw gives flavours of chocolate and sweet tobacco (fairly typical of a maduro, I must say).
Let's light her up...
First third: An initial pepper blast on the start. Upon doing some research I find that this is blended with a ligero leaf, so that accounts for the spicy pepper at the start.
It dies down almost immediately, though, and is replaced by a really nice, rich flavour of roasted coffee beans. It's almost the flavour version of that smell you get when you first enter a premium coffee shop.
The draw is a little firm, and smoke production is, I'd say, about "medium" - I'm not getting tons of smoke from it, but enough to fill my mouth and coat the palate with a long, controlled draw.
Second third: The coffee remains, but I'm also getting a really great, sweet flavour of dark chocolate. Being a big fan of eating dark chocolate (I know we're rare these days!) this is delicious.
The burn continues to be wonderful. I haven't had to touch it at all, and even though the wind is giving it an occasional dip on the top, it corrects itself within 2-3 draws.
The draw is also opening up a bit, providing more rich smoke that it was before.
It really coats the palate and has a long, sweet finish.
Final third: While there haven't been any changes in flavour from the coffee and chocolate, they remain sweet and enticing as ever. It's a rich, dark flavour that really appeals to my tastes.
Occasionally a hint of toast comes in on a draw or two and it mixes beautifully with the coffee and chocolate.
Final thoughts: This burned perfectly right down to the nub. The ash held on for a good inch and a half at a time, and was a light grey colour with no flowering or flaking.
I have to say, I am more than impressed with this cigar. I was, quite honestly, expecting a dog rocket that I would throw away after 3 draws, but these rich flavours came out of left field and it proved to be a great smoke.
What it lacks in complexity it more than makes up for in sheer quality of the flavours present.
And you know what? At $2 / stick, I am never going to complain about this one.
Highly recommended to those of you looking for something that's both cheap AND good, to fill up your humidor
