Gurkha Crest Challenge (Photo Intense)

[Skywalker]

Last week my good friend Volt asked if I would do a review of the Gurkha Crest:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2035

His review was good and he gave high praise to this Gurkha!

Here is my review

Gurkha Crest Churchill
Size: 7 x 52
Connecticut Maduro Wrapper
Nicaraguan Binder
Nicaraguan Filler

Gifted by my good friend Ryan (aka Cigarmonkel)

The band is colorful and lemon flavored (not really flavored),

This cigar is wrapped with care, however the wrapper itself is veiny and toothy. I had to throw in some tzaddi type photo art!!!



Upon toasting the foot a nice aroma of nuts and cocoa is detected. The draw is flawless.


The first couple of draws gave forth a hint of cedar and cinnamon


This cigar does not have much bitterness. Only a little pepper is detected.
The pepper gave way to cocoa and cinnamon and a small citrus background.


While this cigar could be classified as Maduro it has more in common with a light wrapper cigar. I paired it with a Sierra Nevada Wet Hops Harvest Ale. I think it would have gone better with a malt beer or coffee.


Half way through it is changing slightly to more citrus. Burnt orange peel is detected. The construction has asked for much correcting with the burn being uneven.


I am glad I waited to smoke this during the autumn as it has flavor that I enjoy this time of year such as spice, nuts and citrus. The spice is more of a nutmeg than pepper. I removed the band.


This is a very nice smoke with more burnt orange peel at the end. The nub is getting very soft and hot.


Total smoke time took 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Construction/Appearance: 7 out of 10
Flavor Balance: 8 out of 10
Strength: Medium with a little kick at the end
Over all experience: 7 out of 10
Value: This was gifted but I wouldn't pay more than $10

Thank you Ryan for the cigar and thank you Volt for the challenge!!!