The Gurkha Cellar Reserve line debuted in 2007 and was a blend made entirely from Dominican tobacco. The line was later expanded in 2011 to include the Cellar Reserve 15 Year, a line that was exclusive to brick and mortar stores.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend for the Cellar Reserve 15 Year uses a Criollo 1998 wrapper, Dominican olor binder, and 15-year old Dominican filler. It is presented in wooden boxes that resemble a maturing wine barrel.
“This is a good looking cigar. Sporting a beautiful oily sheen to it's slightly toothy milk chocolate color wrapper. Seams are visible and it's lightly pack throughout the cigar with medium size veins. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Aroma: 89
“A very nice aroma is emitted from this cigar. Strong barnyard aroma with added honey.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro
Flavor: 92 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Off the initial light up, medium bodied notes of black pepper and leather flood the mouth and nose. After an inch the profile becomes void of any pepper and becomes liken to a brown sugary shortbread cookie with a hint of ginger on the back end. This profile carries me into the end of this third. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“A dry cedar opens the cigar that quickly turns to a floral sweetness. This is all balanced by a very nice cinnamon spice that is found in the retrohale. There is a ebb and flow of muddled mint throughout making you wish you had a mojitio. It is a good opening to the smoking experience.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Second Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro
“As we smoke into the second third there is a sizable increase in earthy flavors with the wood and floral notes moving to the background. Through the nose we still get a bunch of cinnamon and a hint of white pepper. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
“Fighting an uneven burn, flavors remain consistent. Sweet brown sugary notes with a distinct leathery aftertaste continue to provide a medium bodied profile that continues throughout. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The last third remains consistent without any notable profile changes. Brown sugar and intense leather continue on. Nothing to note new.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Mocha, black pepper, and medicinal mint are the driving notes of this last third. The burn has gone off, on one side, so much that it required a slight touch up. As the cigar comes to a close I am reminded of a semi sweet chocolate covered rice crispy treat. Very good finish to a elegant cigar.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Overall Impressions
Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro
Draw: 90
“Draw was probably the best thing about this cigar. Nearly effortless just how I like it.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Burn: 86
“The burn got off during the end of the first third and into the 2nd. By the final third it had corrected itself on its own.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Construction: 85
“Spongy feel throughout the cigar but held a firm gray ash with some black areas. In the second third there was some filler tobacco that burned faster then other area so there was a distinct hole or tube. Lucky it did not affect the performance of the rest of the cigar.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 88
“Overall I truly enjoyed this cigar. Super thick and creamy. Coated my entire mouth. There was some strong pepper spice at the beginning not only on the retro but also throughout my entire mouth. As the smoke went on the spice settled down some but continued to be a fantastic smoke.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
“The only good thing I can point out was the draw. The profile did improve during the second and last third but not enough to sway me. I couldn't smoke this cigar again if it was given to me. ” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Overall this was a decent flavor profile.. for nearly the whole stick. Even draws and bad burn knocked this stick down points even more as it caused an unpleasant smoking experience; at least it didn't blow up. I'd have to sample another before making an ultimate decision on whether or not to put it in my naughty or nice list. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“This cigar was elegant with many delicate flavor changes that can be enjoyed by most. I would recommend it to any intermediate level smoker who will be able to appreciate the subtle changes. Though I wouldn't be stocking my humidor with these I wouldn't be opposed to smoking it again. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 70
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Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro
Overall Score – 88 – Good
Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro
Summary
"Overall this was a decent flavor profile.. for nearly the whole stick. Even draws and bad burn knocked this stick down points even more as it caused an unpleasant smoking experience; at least it didn't blow up. I'd have to sample another before making an ultimate decision on whether or not to put it in my naughty or nice list. " -John A. (Bostoneo)
