This box-pressed parejo comes swinging with its 58 ring gauge and compact 5-inch frame, packing 15-year-aged Dominican filler into an oily Criollo '98 wrapper. At under $200 for 20 sticks, it's positioned as an entry point to Gurkha's luxury lines. The wine-crate inspired packaging nods to its cellar pedigree - though serious smokers care more about what's under that pigtail cap.
First Third: Punchy start with black pepper and raisin sweetness. The broad foot lights easily, pushing earthy notes through thick smoke. Watch that nicotine kick - even seasoned smokers feel this in the chest.
Middle Third: Malt flavors emerge alongside damp cedar. Some pick up baking spices here while others report a faint metallic tang. Burn stays razor-sharp despite the hefty ring gauge.
Final Third: Dark chocolate dominates as the smoke turns creamy. That 15-year age shows in the absence of harshness, though tar buildup requires purging past the halfway point.
While not quite hitting Padrón-level refinement, this Gurkha makes a strong case for value in the aged cigar market. The tapered head helps manage the massive ring gauge's heat. Best paired with bourbon to cut through the dense smoke output.
