Let's talk about the Cellar Reserve Platinum Kraken XO - this 6x60 beefy parejo comes packed with 12-year-aged Nicaraguan filler from three prime regions. At $205.74 for 20 sticks, it's Gurkha's most accessible entry in their Cellar Reserve series. The Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper gives that telltale oily sheen, promising serious flavor delivery for medium-bodied smokers.
The initial draws hit with black pepper spice that settles into toasted cedar. Wait 5 minutes and baker's chocolate emerges beneath the pepper - think 70% dark cacao with a touch of espresso bitterness. Smoke output stays moderate despite the massive ring gauge.
Nicaraguan terroir comes through strongest here - damp earth and crushed cashew notes dominate. The burn line stays razor-sharp, though I needed one minor touch-up at the halfway mark. Retrohale brings out white pepper and faint cinnamon sweetness.
Leather and mineral tones take over as nicotine strength ramps up. Last two inches develop a distinctive molasses-like sweetness that balances the earthy core. Stop before the nub unless you enjoy tar buildup - this gordo format accumulates condensation fast.
Gurkha blends Nicaraguan power with Mexican wrapper finesse here. The 12-year-aged fillers from Condega (spicy), Estelí (rich), and Jalapa (sweet) get bound in Nicaraguan leaf before the Oscuro wrap adds dark chocolate depth. Hand-rolled in Danlí, Honduras, these stogies show why Gurkha keeps pushing boundaries across 100+ blends.
