The Gurkha Colección Especial Nicaragua Piramide brings a Nicaraguan spin to the established line with its pyramid-shaped 6⅛"×52 figurado body. This box-pressed stogie wears a dark Maduro wrapper that feels slightly oily between fingers - not the prettiest in humidor lineup but decently constructed for its $13.45 per stick price tag. Watch out though, this medium-strength blend plays stronger than your average morning smoke.
First Third: Immediate earthiness slaps your palate like Managua's volcanic soil. Black pepper builds up behind the teeth while faint nutty undertones try to balance the aggression. Smoke output stays moderate here - decent mouthfeel without overwhelming nostrils.
Mid Section: The Nicaragua blend reveals its sweeter side around the halfway mark. Bitter cocoa dominates, occasionally letting through caramelized sugar notes that stick to the lips. Watch for uneven burns if you're smoking outdoors - this stick demands focused puffing rhythm.
Final Stretch: Leather and white pepper resurface in the last third, accompanied by accumulating nicotine warmth. Retrohale exposes hidden woodsmoke character. Cut your session short by half-inch if throat irritation occurs - common in Nicaraguan puros when pushed too far.
Gurkha uses triple-Nicaraguan tobacco from Estelí and Jalapa regions. The Maduro wrapper shows typical volcanic soil characteristics - deep mineral base with controlled sweetness. Binder leaf adds combustibility while filler tobaccos (reportally aged 5 years) provide layered nicotine delivery. Not quite Padrón-level blending but respectable for the price bracket.
Store at 65% RH minimum - the box-pressed shape tends to develop tunneling in dry conditions. Pair with cold brew coffee to counterbalance its earthy core or añejo tequila for adventurous combinations. First-time smokers: eat something substantial before lighting up.
