Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 7 x 50 “Churchill”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $5.00

I used to smoke a lot of Gurkha cigars and then got burned out on them. Especially, once Kaizad Hansotia pimped himself out to every B & M and online store on the planet. He was in direct competition with Rocky Patel for providing the cheapest bundles, or house cigars, in the world. I lost respect for him during this greed period.

Back in 2008, I frequented a cigar store in Loomis, Ca. And the owner was a smart cookie. An older gentleman who had been in the cigar business a long time. He told me that the Gurkhas sent to the B & M’s are the real Gurkhas and the stuff you buy online are facsimiles of the real thing. He had a huge stock of some great Gurkhas and based on taste, he seemed to be right. Well, the project in Sacramento came to an end and I no longer visited the B & M in Loomis. So I continued to buy Gurkhas online; only to be constantly disappointed.

The stick I am reviewing is relatively new. And I am looking forward to smoking it as I hope that Hansotia has gotten with the program by putting out the New Breed type of cigar.

The stick isn’t a bad looking cigar at all. Solid. A buttery caramel color to the wrapper. Lots of small veins. A very nice single cap application. And I hope my camera can pick up the nice oily sheen. The wrapper feels a little toothy.

I clip the cap and find very subtle aromas of cocoa, spice, nuts, and hay.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are full of red pepper and sweetness. This is a Nic puro so I don’t think there will be any surprises as far as the flavor profile goes.

The draw is excellent but the char line goes wavy pretty quickly. I touch it up before it goes crazy on me; hoping this is the last time I have to do that.

There is a very nice wood component to the flavor alongside that buttery caramel that was once an aroma. Might this cigar be heading for bona fide flavor bomb?

The sweetness is very nice. I like the escalating pepper level. I like that the spice has some character. There are lots of spicy cigars out there where that pepper is like swallowing a habanero. Just hot. So far, I am pleased with this spiciness as it is a real flavor and not just a bottle of hot sauce.

It’s interesting as to why they would put the cigar band at the foot.

At the one inch mark, the cigar is definitely showing me that Gurkha has turned a corner and decided to jump into the ring with the “Tattooed Ones.” Give ‘em power and flavor and don’t make them wait 3 months. I’ve had this cigar for maybe 3 weeks. It was a gift from a dear friend that came in a 10 cigar sampler from Atlantic Cigars.

The stick is oozing flavors.

So here are the flavors at the two inch mark: Creaminess, spice, cocoa, sweetness, buttery caramel, wood, nutty, and cedar. I think this is impressive for a Gurkha. Yes, I know this is the typical formula for a good Nicaraguan puro; but it is presented well.

The body started out as classic medium and continues on that route.

“Cigar Aficionado has rated the Gurkha Wicked Indie a 90 and the ‘Best Buy Pick.’ The cigars are packaged in boxes of 50 cigars ranging from a Robusto size to a Gordo.”

From Atlantic Cigars:
“Gurkha has started to reinvent itself by focusing on small batch quality over mass market lines sold at large retail outlets where their product lines were being diluted. The huge success of the Cellar Reserve line has brought new life to the Gurkha brand. The Gurkha Wicked Indie may be the cigar that continues their success and focus on producing boutique quality cigars.”

The ash is terrible. It falls into shreds at the slightest jarring.

I move in on the halfway point and the cigar is a real joy to smoke. Those Nic flavors are pumping away as they become bolder. The flavor of cedar is coming through loud and clear now. It mixes nicely with the sweetness.

The cigar is as cool as a cuke. It is smooth and rich. An earthiness appears. I read a couple of reviews and they were not very flattering. I don’t know why. This is definitely a good cigar; not a high premium mind you, but a very decent cigar; especially for the price. Although, I’m not crazy about the idea of being forced to purchase them in boxes of 50.

I checked around and it appears that a box of 50 is the only way to purchase the cigars, except for 5 packs and singles, of course. So that means you have to shell out over $200 for a box depending on size. That’s a really stupid marketing move. Take a good cigar, at a good price, and force 50 of them on to the consumer removing the great price point. Granted, it brings the price down to just over $4, but come on…..

I suppose that the best way to grab these sticks is by using Cbid or Famous Smoke’s Cigar Auctioneer. But you will still probably have to pay around $150.

The cigar is brimming with flavor and character. The spiciness has tamped down to a very nice level. Not strong, but just right; as Goldilocks would say.

I haven’t done this in a while, but I grab a Diet Coke because of the strong cocoa influence. I get a nice chocolate soda experience.

I finally get to the last third after 75 minutes of smoke time. I assess that I have at least another 30 minutes to go, or more. An hour and 45 minutes can be too much of a good thing and that’s why I stick to robustos, if I can.

A side note: Lots of boutique blenders send me cigars. When given the chance, I ask for robustos. What do they send me? Redwood trees. I swear I got an 8” long x 56 ring gauge from one blender. What am I going to do with that? Shore up the kitchen floor?

I am really enjoying the Gurkha Wicked Indie and as it burns down, I am sated. The last third finds all those wonderful flavors muted. So the best part of the cigar turns out to be the middle. I plan on buying a 5 pack of robustos and I am sure they are a lot better than the Churchill.
The last couple inches become very powerful. The stick has hit the full mark. The nicotine is kicking my ass.

The char line has been pretty good since I touched it up near the beginning. And the cap is structurally sound. No loose bits of tobacco.
I recommend this cigar. But to be on the safe side, I think a 5 pack should be purchased first. Investing a couple hundred bucks in a cigar you haven’t tried is crazy. Regardless of how good it is.

The complexity has died down. And we are left with a list of typical Nic flavors. The spice is no longer there. So while I recommend this cigar, I am conflicted on its consistency.
Get a few and make up your own mind.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS