• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Size: 52 x 27 mm (5″)
• Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
• Price: 8€
The Connecticut Shade wrapper is of a Colorado Claro shade. It is smooth to the touch, with rather light veins. Construction and draw are more than good. The band is full of details, which fully reflects the brand.
Gurkha Royal Challenge Robusto: unlit, there is a distinct aroma of honey on the nose, with hints of wood and hay.
The cigar opens with a delicately salty, but also bitter, note that is overall well balanced on the palate. Strength is medium (3/5).
The flavor change turns towards coffee and cellulose, with more subtle spicy notes. Strength remains unchanged (3/5).
Smoke mechanics are perfect, with a rather flaky and friable.
Overall, this Gurkha Royal Challenge Robusto expresses itself in a linear and simple, but, at the same time, satisfying way. The balance between strength and flavors go hand in hand and make for a good morning or an after a light dinner smoke. It loses a bit of ground on the complexity and with a lack of evolution in the final third, that would have given the smoker a more satisfying smoke.
Rating: 86