Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Torpedo
Size : 6 x 54
Wrapper : Brazilian
Filler : Dominican
Binder : Costa Rica
Strength : Medium to Full
Hand-Made
Price : $6.90 each
Construction
Launched for the 2005 IPCPR, Gurkha’s Ancient Warrior is still one of their most popular cigars on the market. This medium strength stick is cloaked in a super dark, oily Brazilian wrapper. The wrapper leaf is flecked with numerous raised veins and a bit of tooth. The length of the six-inch stick is plump and nicely rolled with no soft spots. The tapered cap cuts cleanly with my Colibri Slice cutter, leaving behind no shards of filler tobacco.
Flavor & Aroma
The dark Brazilian wrapper gives off a strong barnyard aroma while the foot lends scents of barley and pepper. The cold draw is clear and open, producing gentle flavors of wood and crushed black pepper. Rich, dark tobacco dominates the first few puffs. A bit of cedar pokes through midway through the first third as well as a delicate sweetness. Earthy notes of espresso and wood cap off the second third. The final third sees a bit of a leathery finish.
Burn & Smoking Characteristics
Gurkha’s Ancient Warrior draws easily and produces huge plumes of thick, white smoke with each puff. The beautiful, crisp ash hangs on to just over an inch before the first drop. The burn is slow and even with a total smoking time of seventy-five minutes.
Conclusion
It is always a toss-up for me with Gurkha cigars. I would say 80% of them are good sticks, 10% of them are terrible, and 10% are mind-blowingly amazing (like the Cellar Reserve). This is a typical Gurkha, a good, solid stick but not spectacular. However, at under $7 a stick, it makes a good humidor-filler stick.
Article by Kayla, a cigar aficionada from Florida who also writes for CheapHumidors.com. Click here for her latest posts.
