Stogie Reviews: Gurkha Connecticut Reserve Robusto #4
26 Jul 2006
In our last Friday Sampler we told you about a deal that included eight name-brand cigars and a humidor for just $15. Never ones to talk the talk without walking the walk, today’s Stogie Review is the Gurkha Gurkha Connecticut Reserve Robusto #4, one of the eight cigars included in that heavily discounted deal.
Having never had a Gurkha before, I was looking forward to this review based on the excellent reputation that Gurkha has built up. Unfortunately I would be a little disappointed by this toro shaped “robusto” (6″ x 50 ring gauge).
The cigar had an attractive Connecticut wrapper, except for two strange black blemishes. I clipped it with the double guillotine and gave it a proper light with some wooden matches.
After a few nice puffs I decided that, given I was smoking on my front porch, I saw no need for the band, which would only get in the way once I got to the very end of the cigar. (For more on removing the band see here.) This proved to be a big mistake.
Almost instantly after removing the band, this thin shade grown Connecticut wrapper curled up exposing the grayish-brown binder. I repaired the wrapper as best I could using the magical glue-like powers of saliva, but the result was very crude: Part of the wrapper had fallen off completely while other parts were out of place, leaving binder exposed. Likely due to these construction issues, multiple touch-ups were required.
Aside from these major problems, I very much enjoyed the cigar. It had a mild to medium creamy caramel flavor with slight nutty tastes. It reminded me a little of the Romeo y Julieta Vintage (a stogie that’s rated very highly). The flavor was consistent all the way through, and the Gurkha had a nice easy draw.
Unfortunately, the awful construction cast a dark shadow over all of this cigar’s positive characteristics. (I’m hopeful that the other one of these that I have in my humidor proves this poor construction is an abberation.) Had the cigar held together it could have been a three and 1/2 or even a four stogie cigar. Instead, it only gets two out of five stogies.
[Attention DC Area Stogie Guys: Bethesda Tobacco is having a La Flor Dominicana event today from 5-9. We won’t might will be in attendance, but so feel free to let us know how the event was join us. Also, we’ve confirmed what Jerry from Stogie Review told us, that free BBQ and drinks will be provided, and there is a buy three get one free special!]
-Patrick S
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
You guys should try and make it! I'll be there and its only a block or two away from the Metro.
I'm not aware of any Club Stogie guys going but there are few guys at the cigarsmokers.com forum that will be there…plus me of course.
The last I spoke with Bethesda Tobacco its the standard Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal on La Flor Dominicana…plus free BBQ. 🙂
Sweet! See you guys there!
Thanks for the info Jerry!
As you can see we now are planning on attending. See you there.
–Patrick S
So where you guys there or did I just miss you? I was inside most of the time talking to the La Flor Dominicana rep and left around 8pm.
We were there, but not until after 8. Mike the owner said we must have missed you.
Hey guys, probably commenting here on an old article, but I got this cigar the same sampler recently. It did have some construction issues, but not as bad as the one you got. I used a punch rather than a cutter and the wrapper held together. Anyhow, definitely a smooth smoke for a beginner or someone who prefers a mild to mid-bodied cigar (I’m somewhere in between absolute novice and occasional smoker). Just wanted to say the review was spot on.