Wrapper: Honduran Habano
Fillers: ligeros fillers from Nicaragua and Peru
Size: 5.5 x 52
Sweet, earthy, touch of pepper
Back on March 22 of 2010 I did a fun review of the Gurkha Empire Series in my March Matching format. I paired each of the cigars in this line-up with an Ale (Petrus Gouden) and the idea was to see which cigar paired up the best with this Ale. See March Matching Post.
Since then, a year later, I still had some of these cigars left from that writing and I started to write a full review on each.
(click on the name below to see posting)
So, I am finally finishing this line-up.
Off the Light: How funny is this – it is plugged up. The draw is as tight as can be. The same reason it got kicked out of the final round of the March Matching Contest. In the first round I had a plugged one and I had to get a second one to smoke. (Obviously a construction problem with that batch) The draw has opened up a bit, it is still firm, but not as the first ¼ inch. This is draw where you have to puff so much to get any smoke that you miss the actual flavor experience and you get a head ache.
Pass that ¼ inch mark I start to notice a mild-medium earthy style and a touch of sweet tobacco. I am trying to remind myself to puff at a slower rate to work with this very firm draw. The best I can tell the smoke is a 4 on my strength scale.
Well, I am going to break this down into halves instead of thirds. There is not much going on here except the draw. And, because of the draw this is burning really slow. I hope I don’t fall asleep before the halfway point.
Second Half: finally got there. A pretty simple cigar. A nice earthy style. I could even call it earthy coffee style. Other than that nothing else. The draw is still a little firm not as bad as the first half.
My Strength Rating: 4
To the Point: I know I will never buy another one. 3 out of 4 cigars plugged. Do I need to say more.
Empire I – III – IV