Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro is light brown and has a network of slightly raised veins present. The seams are easily visible due to vein placement while the head is finished with a well applied triple cap. There are two bands with the primary being black, gold and red and carrying the company logo. The secondary strip band is black and gold and designates the line. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of wood and sweet hay while the foot brings a sweet oat or sweet cereal component. The pre-light draw brings a lightly sweet cedar.

First Third

The cigar begins with oak, mustiness and black pepper. At a half inch in, all components are even. At an inch in, the oak and mustiness have a slight lead over the pepper. The retrohale has an even mix of the oak, mustiness and black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, a hay note joins the profile. As the third comes to a close, the profile is musty oak up front with hay and black pepper in the background. The strength is slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the pepper is now very light and the profile is a bit dry. The retrohale is now just musty oak. At three quarters of an inch in, the black pepper has left the profile. The musty oak is up front with the hay in the background and the profile has become slightly drier. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the hay has left and the profile is just musty oak that is fairly drying. The retrohale sees a bit of toastiness join the musty oak. At three quarters of an inch in, a slight vegetal note joins the profile. At an inch and a quarter, the vegetal note is now just behind the musty oak. The retrohale now carries musty oak and a vegetal note at equal levels. The strength in this third finished up at medium-full.

Burn

The burn was slightly wavy throughout, but never needed any attention. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with oak, mustiness and black pepper. Some hay later joined in. The second third saw the pepper drop out. The final third saw the hay leave and a vegetal note join in. Construction was quite good and strength built from slightly above medium to medium-full. The Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro was fairly average throughout and didn’t provide much in the way of exciting moments. It’s interesting to see an Aganorsa sourced blend for the brand and we’ll see if this leads to more offerings. If so, I would be interested to try them, but for this cigar, it’s not something I see myself returning to.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.50

Cost/Point

$1.81

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro