Review: Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve
Let me tell you right off the bat. I did NOT pay $750 (which just happens to be the MSRP) for this cigar. In fact, I did not pay any money at all for it.
Now, that is not to say that I got it for free (in fact, the rules of the site prohibit that).
Here is the story. As you may or may not know, I have a list of cigars on the site that I would love to get my hands on to review. Well, one day about 2 weeks ago, I got an email from an Army Medic who served in Iraq telling me that he had a Gurkha HMR that he was willing to trade out, and that he could not get a hold of a lot of the limited Tats and other sticks that he wanted to try (that have been on this site). Well, I have quite a few of those, and I figured it would be a win-win situation for both of us; he gets some sticks he would not otherwise get a hold of, I get to review a stick that not very many people have seen, never mind smoke, and I get to help out a soldier in the process.
So, we made the trade, and that is how I got a hold of a $750 cigar to review.
Limited to less than 75 boxes a year, these cigars are made with 1 year old Connecticut Maduro Wrapper and 12 year old Dominican Binder and Filler, then infused with an entire bottle of Louis XIII Cognac (per box).
This is not the only cognac infused cigar from Gurkha, there is also the Grand Reserve (about $20) and the Royal Reserve (about $30), both of which use inferior cognac, apparently.
Enough chitchat, let’s get down to business, shall we?
- Cigar Reviewed: Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve
- Factory: Tabacalera Las Lavas S.R.L
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Size: 7 1/2 Inches
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Churchill
- MSRP: $750 (Box of 20, $15,000.00)
The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was that the glass tube was quite a bit thicker on this stick then, say, the Grand Reserve (which I will be comparing it too), and that the wax on the tube was green instead of gold. When putting them side by side, the HMR is a bit bigger and has a MUCH darker wrapper (to be expected of a Maduro wrapper, of course, but it was a VERY dark wrapper), and seems to be rolled quite a bit better as well.
I was expecting a blast of cognac smell when I opened the tube, but was disappointed when all I smelled was tobacco (with a bit of cognac). The stick was well rolled and slightly spongy when squeezed, and the wrapper smelled a bit like chocolate and leather (and cognac, of course).
It punched easily, and, on lighting, the first few puffs tasted like toasted nuts, a little pepper, and a sweet taste (cognac?) that was present, but not overpowering at all. I expected a change in taste after that, but alas, was disappointed that the flavors stayed pretty much the same for the first third, pretty boring really.
During the second third of the cigar, a little more pepper was present, along with some chocolate notes, (and cognac of course). At the end of the second third, though, the stick started turning bitter, and not in a “this tastes like bitter chocolate/espresso/coffee” way, more like a “this tastes a little like hot tea brewed about 20 minutes longer then it needed to be” way.
The last third was where this cigar REALLY fell apart. I wish I could say that it pulled it out in the end, but that was just not the case. There was no more flavors of chocolate, no more cognac, no more tobacco, no more pepper. Instead, the bitter, sour taste actually increased to the point that it was almost unsmokable. It was almost a taste like old, wet cardboard; a very odd and annoying taste that made me want to chuck the last of the stick into a garbage disposal. I still nubbed it (after all, I figured out it was about $20 a puff), but it was a REAL struggle.
Final Notes:
- I was expecting to be overwhelmed with the taste of cognac after reading about this cigar and how it was infused, and while I DID taste some of it, it was not near as present as I thought it would be. Sad to say, but a taste of cognac would have been preferable to what I ended up with.
- The band on this cigar is exactly the same as every Gurkha I have seen. Honestly, you would think that for a cigar that costs this much, they would use a different (better?) band, but alas, that is not the case.
- Final Smoking time on this stick was 1 hour and 57 minutes.
- Draw was great, but the burn was just ok. I had to touch it up a few times but nothing major.
The Bottom Line: This stick would have been an ok $6 stick. As it is, I would call it overpriced, overhyped, boring, bitter crap. Not exactly a surprise, but I was really hoping that it would shock me. The only redeeming quality of this cigar was that it stood up for the final photo without falling over.
Final Score: 55
Great review Brooks, sorry about that 5 cents Gurkha, I 'll take a Tatuaje anytime instead of a poor
imitation of a cigar such as Gurkha. for less, I'll smoke a Behike.
Guy,
France
This is the first negative review I have sen for the HMR. A lot of people don't like Gurkha, but also everyone has different palates. To each his own. Thanks for the review.
That is EXACTLY the same review that I would have given for the Grand Reserve that I smoked.
Bitter is about the only word that I think truly describes these (other than overpriced of course)
Brooks I have only had one Gurka I liked and it happened to be a regent, one of the cheaper sticks. I can't beleive any cigar would cost $750 msrp. Glad you smoked it and let everyone in on the truth!
F Gurkha. That is all.
I don't think any Gurkha worth even $7.50.
at least you can say you you smoked a $750 cigar many can't do that
It's sad that a cigar that expensive had such poor qualities.
Bear
I managed to aquire two of these (similar situation to how you aquired yours) and smoked them with a cigar guzzling friend.
We both expected, weirdly, to clip the end and have pricey cognac pour out - i think that would have been nicer.
Same experience. A weird sense of 'sub par' tobacco, usually used for flavouring.. Tried to get a real 'taste' of cognac, but it came off only in aroma and not flavor. I wanted to give up half way through, but smoked until the bitter bitter end.
Can't help but feel your army buddy got a better deal out of it, huh! ;)
Well crap I kind of thought for sure with that price it would be a lot better... sad really...
Just goes to show that if you put a fat price tag on something it will pique interest. Even companies like Gurkha can sucker people into paying for something with what probably has so little of that super $$ cognac they use in the cigar. It was interesting to see one reviewed none the less, sorry it sucked.
A $750 Gurkha? You're a sick man Brooks!
Unfortunately your review doesn't surprise me. Ghurkha seems to be more interested in the image rather than the cigars, especially with their cognac flavored sticks. I've never enjoyed any of the ones I've smoked.
Wow, $750 and they still used their normal band? I wish I could say that I'm disapointed to hear that the stick was less than spectacular, but, seeing how it is a Gurkha, I guess it makes sense. I'm glad that the soldier was able to get some nice Tats in exchange.
Keep up the great reviews!
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I havent heard many good things overall about gurkha in the blogosphere. I'll just keep away from them.
I was actually expecting that it would be boring and simple all the way through and you giving it a "mediocre" 86 or 87. But to have it at the last third to literally turn on you like it hated you was actually shocking. Great review, great pics as always.
Damn, it sucks how this cigar went down so quickly. I was kind of hoping it would be better but then again it's a Gurkha.
Wow... Ive never tried a Gurkha, but I guess this just reinforces why I havent yet. Give me a Tat any day!!!!
Who would've thought that a guy getting some limited edition Tats in exchange for a $750 cigar would come out a winner? Everyone that has ever smoke a Gurkha!! Sad that the cognac didn't come through more. Even sadder that they didn't throw in a bottle to help you get the cigar taste out of your mouth.
Great review and your pics are always outstanding!!
Man...what a DOWNER. I agree with you, as my first thought from looking at the pics, were " For $750, the band should have been lined with 24k gold or something, not the plain Ghurka band that you see on every other stick! Oh well, I'm glad you got to experience it at least.
One more question: WHERE did the cognac go ???
I have always felt they were way overhyped and way overpriced. I keep cringing at what you may have given up for this wonderful cigar.
Disappointing. At least you were able to help out a fine brother serving the country.
I can think of much more fun ways to spend $750
good review. not much of a surprise though.
I am sure you can find these on C-Bid $25 for 5 bucks. $750 for a Gurkha? NO THANK YOU...
Wow!...what a tragic disappointment. Very cool that you got the chance, though!
Wow, I had no idea this cigar existed, or that anyone had the cajones to put a $750 price tag on a single cigar! Much less one with the "quality" of a Gurkha! Sorry it didn't work out better for you. Looks like my feelings about Gurkha are justified (again).
what a bummer. i'm not sure what else i can say brooks!
At least now I know someone that has smoked one and that they actually exist, I guess that's worth something...
I am astounded that there are people that buy those cigars priced as they are. But then again I am sure the vast majority that do purchase these cigars are not well informed. Not a fan of Gurkhas at all.
Wow -- but they have such great labels! And WICKED high sticker prices (allowing for those attractive discounts)!
Nice pics, by the way
I restarted smoking cigars this year and since I was living in Mexico did not know anything about other than Mexican and Cuban puros. The first information I found was related to Gurkha and bought some; needlessly to say I put them at the bottom of the humidor after I started getting some good cigars instead; but in any case I would do the same than you Brooks! Curiosity would get the best of me!
No surprises there. Turns out it is still a Gurkha....
I've tried multiple gurkhas, haven't found one that I'd pay for yet....
Too bad....
Geez, Brooks. That stinks. i expect no less from Gurkha, yet I still expected more. They should be ashamed to sell THAT cigar at THAT price. Good review though, bro.
Sorry that you gave so much for so little... at least you can say "hey.... I smoked a stick valued at 750$ by some"
Gurkha is just such a let down for me...
Bummer that the skies didn't part nor did any angels sing for the price, and particularly disappointing about the last third of the smoke. But, a great review and fantastic images as always. :)