Let's talk about this 6x54 Toro from Gurkha celebrating their 35th year - a box of 10 sporting Ecuadorian Habano wrappers and priced at $99. The first thing you'll notice is that rose gold band gleaming against the oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. Not your everyday smoke, this commemorative stick rolls out Indonesian binder leaves and Nicaraguan fillers from El Artista's Dominican factory.
Initial draws hit with black pepper spice and cedar, the kind that makes your tongue tingle but doesn't assault. Underneath simmers dark chocolate sweetness - not dessert-level but more like 70% cacao bitterness. Smoke production's modest, needing deliberate pulls to get decent clouds.
Transition brings espresso notes with leather undertones. The pepper dials back letting earthy tones shine, though I caught occasional bitter moments when smoking too fast. Burn line holds better than most Gurkhas I've tried - only one minor touch-up needed halfway.
Last act introduces umami bombs - think soy sauce reduction on portobello mushrooms. Strength creeps up to medium-full territory. Watch for nicotine kick around the nub if you're sensitive. Pairing tip: skip the coffee, grab an Islay whisky to complement those savory notes.
The triple cap held firm through straight cuts. Wrapper's darker than Gurkha's typical offerings - almost Maduro-level oiliness but without the sweetness. Box date check: these need at least 3 months rest. Our samples from 02/2024 showed slight ammonia hints that aged out by mid-summer.
