Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Château De Privé Rook

Cigar Info

Gurkha Cigar Group Inc. released the new Château De Privé line at the IPCPR trade show in 2018. It is described as a “traditional mild and creamy smoke.”

Château De Privé comes in three sizes. Production is limited to 300 boxes of 20 of each size. Bishop (5 x 50) – $10, Rook (6 x 46) – $10, King of Warriors (6 1/2 x 52) – $11.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 47
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: PDR Cigars
Blender: Kaizad Hansotia
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) John A. (Bostoneo) James H. (Keikan Jim) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $10.00
Age: 10 Months
Release Date: December 2018
Contributed by: Gurkha Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“6 1/2 x46 features a nice pig tail and a covered foot. Mottled light brown wrapper minimal veins.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Aroma: 91

“The cold draw is up front an honest. Dark musty notes of must, cinnamon, and deep leather make their selves known without compromise. Off the foot, aromas of light cashew are faintly detectable.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Draw is fabulous. Profile is very creamy with a black pepper finish a little bread mid palate sweet floral joins soon after lighting as well. Cigar leaves the palate very clean. Ash is very strong. Burn is nearly razor. Cigar is light medium in strength.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“With a closed foot, I take advantage of those first bit of flavors you get upon lighting it. I’m hit with a heavy dose of creamy marshmallow and orange zest. As the cigar burns, I’m greeted with a punch of cardamom and cream. There is the citrus and even mint that I don’t come across all too often. The flavors play off each other nicely, especially with the creaminess. White pepper is slowly coating my throat and the retro amplifies this.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Not much going on in the flavor dept….it’s staying consistent……no complaints. I will say the honey and hay has kind of dropped off and getting a more dryness with more leather and cinnamon wasn’t expecting that. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The second third was much the same as the first with some honey sweetness, bread a short salty finish. Strength is still very mild and the retrohale is very smooth with a touch of white pepper. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Cigar is very consistent only.changes have been with the level of spice. Wonderful burn wo derful draw. Sweet floral and cream. Bread has left you do get a little now and then but it doesnt have the level of presence as it had before.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“This cigar is fairly one deminsional throughout but it’s very enjoyable. The honey, bread and salted caramel finish has prevailed the whole way through. This is not necessarily a bad thing since the flavors are in my wheelhouse. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“Great draw, no issues, plenty of smoke. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 92

“This cigar burned like a champ and had nearly razor straight burn light throughout the entirety of the cigar. I did have one relight towards the end but that was my fault since I was helping my daughter with her school work and let it sit a touch to long. Just a quick shout out to those parents who have become school teachers overnight due to the Covid 19 virus!” –James H. (Keikan Jim)

Construction: 94

“Well made cigar, that had just the right amount of tobacco inside. Add that to using a pigtail on the cap and a closed foot, it was impressive to look at.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“Great cigar great burn great construction great draw. Definitely box worthy.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Overall this was a good cigar. It started out like your typical Connecticut with hay, honey, cream and some cinnamon, but as the cigar progressed I got more and more spice with leather and the cigar continued to go up that road. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Overall, a very mild-medium cigar throughout the entire duration of this review. A fairly basic mild Connecticut type cigar with all the nuanced leathery, creamy, and slightly mild peppery notes that you may get. While not overly one dimensional, I would have liked to see a bit more complexity to this fairly straightforward blend. A typical run of the mill smoke that did not amaze nor disappoint me.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Although this particular cigar was very light bodied and had a very open draw, I enjoyed it a lot. This would make an excellent morning cigar to pair with a light coffee or hot tea. In the afternoon, pair with a light pilsner or kolsch beer. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)

“Visually, this cigar was great. I was really looking forward to smoking it, and even more so with the cold draw. Unfortunately, that initial panache didn’t really hold up. The first half was a solid offering, but really fell flat during the second half. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 113

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Gurkha | Château De Privé Rook

Overall Score – 91 – Very Good