Gurkha Beast Review

4/8/2014

Cigar: Gurkha Beast
Size: “Super” Toro, 6.5"x56
MSRP: $20.00
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Costa Rican
Origin: Dominican Republic, Honduras

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...A0E9CA5B97.jpg

Prelight: The aged Costa Rican maduro wrapper smells floral. It’s oily and dark with plenty of tooth. This Beast has bite. The foot has a hint of cocoa and a woodiness, but it’s faint. The cold draw is perfect and woody.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...84447686F2.jpg

1/3: Immediately this thing goes off like a smoke bomb. It’s putting LPs to shame. All cocoa and wood. I can’t quite figure out the exact woodiness – it’s not as spicy as cedar. Almost earthy and sweet. Oak, perhaps? Unfortunately, the burn gets bad right off the bat, but plenty of flavor and impressive smoke, so I let it be hoping it will self-correct.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6407DB6DFF.jpg

2/3: I just can’t take the canoe anymore, so I attempt a touch up. I say “attempt” because the wrapper catches flame, and after two touch ups in the second third, the cigar remains like the light bulb on Cindy Lou Who’s Christmas tree: it just won’t light on one side. The cocoa fades and makes room for a leathery taste, which makes the wood flavor more oaky.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...F19C61EDE8.jpg

3/3: There is hardly any sweetness left, and the oak reverts back to a spicy cedar. I try another touch up, and again the wrapper flames up on me. The cigar finishes pure wood to the nub.

Overall: Great flavors are hidden within this cigar. Nothing mind blowing, but enjoyable. Beast is a good name for this one, because like its Disney namesake, a prince is hiding underneath the unruly surface. If you get one with no burn problems, I think you’ll love it. If the wrapper is more stubborn than mine, you’ll rue the day you picked this one up – especially if you pay MSRP. (But who pays full price for a Gurkha?) A seemingly hit-or-miss cigar from a hit-or-miss brand.