Background
I honestly don’t have a lot of background about this cigar. After spending an hour searching the internet, I will share what I do know. The Gurkha Evil was released at the 2009 IPCPR in New Orleans. There are five sizes in the series including the XO (6 x 60), Torpedo (6.5 x 53), Toro (6 x 50), Churchill (7 x 52), Corona (5 x 43), and the Robusto (5 x 50). Most retailers list the stick as being full in body and strength. The Gurkha website doesn’t have much information on the blend but I did find some marketing material that described the flavor profile as ‘evil”. Um, OK. Lets just get to burning!
Stogie Stats
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: $7.00-$8.00
Review
The pre-light aroma is full of sweetness and earth. The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown, oily, and has no visible flaws. The cigar band covers about a full third of the length of the stick and is printed in a newspaper type fashion. The presentation is well done and this stogie looks and smells fantastic! The cigar feels rock hard and after cutting the cap, the pre-light draw does feel a bit tight. What little flavor I detect mirrors the smell.
After thoroughly toasting the foot, the initial draw is perfect and I am greeted with a lot of earth. As the first third proceeds, the draw continues to prove my initial assessment of being tight wrong and I begin to pick up some subtle sweetness and nuttiness. The earth is still the dominant flavor and the finish has some wood and dryness to it. The ash seems to only want to hold for about 3/4 of an inch before falling but I would rate the burn as above average.
The second third continues with the same earthy core, subtle sweetness, and occasional nutty flavors. Burn and draw are still great but I am beginning to get bored with the flavor profile. Unfortunately, the flavors never change up for me.
The last third continues along this route with the exception of more dryness and wood on the finish. It borders on harshness but isn’t too over the top. I stop at about 1 1/2 inches from my cut due to boredom and frustration with the flavor profile, however. The cigar ends with me wishing I had a second glass of water to counter the dryness.
Conclusion
I know its a short review, but what can I say? While the Gurkha Evil provided a unique flavor profile, it just didn’t keep my attention. The construction was good but due to the lack of complexity and the dull flavor profile, I am giving the Gurkha Evil Robusto A Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Angler”. It was enjoyable enough to smoke while working around the yard, fishing, or doing some other activity, but not worth my undivided attention on a Friday evening. The price point is a bit high in my opinion but I you can find them for a reduced price on occasion. Grab one, try one, and you decide!
Stogie Geeks Audio
November 17, 2011
Review: Gurkha Evil Robusto
Tim Mugherini 2 - The Angler Reviews, Stogies 0 Comments
Background
I honestly don’t have a lot of background about this cigar. After spending an hour searching the internet, I will share what I do know. The Gurkha Evil was released at the 2009 IPCPR in New Orleans. There are five sizes in the series including the XO (6 x 60), Torpedo (6.5 x 53), Toro (6 x 50), Churchill (7 x 52), Corona (5 x 43), and the Robusto (5 x 50). Most retailers list the stick as being full in body and strength. The Gurkha website doesn’t have much information on the blend but I did find some marketing material that described the flavor profile as ‘evil”. Um, OK. Lets just get to burning!
Stogie Stats
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: $7.00-$8.00
Review
The pre-light aroma is full of sweetness and earth. The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown, oily, and has no visible flaws. The cigar band covers about a full third of the length of the stick and is printed in a newspaper type fashion. The presentation is well done and this stogie looks and smells fantastic! The cigar feels rock hard and after cutting the cap, the pre-light draw does feel a bit tight. What little flavor I detect mirrors the smell.
After thoroughly toasting the foot, the initial draw is perfect and I am greeted with a lot of earth. As the first third proceeds, the draw continues to prove my initial assessment of being tight wrong and I begin to pick up some subtle sweetness and nuttiness. The earth is still the dominant flavor and the finish has some wood and dryness to it. The ash seems to only want to hold for about 3/4 of an inch before falling but I would rate the burn as above average.
The second third continues with the same earthy core, subtle sweetness, and occasional nutty flavors. Burn and draw are still great but I am beginning to get bored with the flavor profile. Unfortunately, the flavors never change up for me.
The last third continues along this route with the exception of more dryness and wood on the finish. It borders on harshness but isn’t too over the top. I stop at about 1 1/2 inches from my cut due to boredom and frustration with the flavor profile, however. The cigar ends with me wishing I had a second glass of water to counter the dryness.
Conclusion
I know its a short review, but what can I say? While the Gurkha Evil provided a unique flavor profile, it just didn’t keep my attention. The construction was good but due to the lack of complexity and the dull flavor profile, I am giving the Gurkha Evil Robusto A Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Angler”. It was enjoyable enough to smoke while working around the yard, fishing, or doing some other activity, but not worth my undivided attention on a Friday evening. The price point is a bit high in my opinion but I you can find them for a reduced price on occasion. Grab one, try one, and you decide!
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