Gurkha Collection Especial Lonsdale – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Gurkha Cigar Group International showed off the Coleccion Especial at the 2022 PCA Trade Show, and the cigar started shipping in November of the same year. The cigar was only made available to 150 retailers across the country, with a special invitation being mailed out to invite those retailers to a private unveiling. Gurkha first released the Coleccion Especial in an exclusive viotla (a perfecto) to the TAA that same year. It sold out quickly and the company says retailers were asking for more.

The Gurkha Coleccion Especial comes in three regular production sizes: Robusto, Toro, and Lonsdale and sell for between $13.0 and $15.00 and come in boxes of 10. It is presented in a high gloss, white box with a gold Gurkha Soldier.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lonsdale
Length: 6 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Hybrid
Binder: Mexican Sumatra
Filler: USA Connecticut Broadleaf, Undisclosed
Factory: PDR Cigars
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4 – John A. (Bostoneo) Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $13.95
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: November 2022
Contributed by: Gurkha Cigars

Initial Impressions – Gurkha Collection Especial Lonsdale

Appearance: 89

“Looks to be a corona gorda possibly. Very light almost yellow wrapper on this cigar. There are both visible seams and veins. The cigar seems to be firmly packed and feels about toothy to the touch.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 89

“A nice and even draw reveals unique flavors of musty perfumed leather with some baking spices that linger. On the nose, scents of lightly peppered cream provide a great mild profile.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

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

“More hay on the cold draw. The cigar starts out with some muted peanut notes, but as the first ash falls off the cigar progress with stronger peanut flavors as well as some light honey. This cigar is really mild, but not boring.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I really like the initial flavors of baking spice, cream, leather, mild pepper, and coffee. The finish is a very strong grassy flavor that I’m not a huge fan of. The draw is a little snug but the smoke output is still solid.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Second Third

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

“Picking up some cream notes, but they are very subtle. Not really any different flavor notes than hay and peanuts… even the honey notes are gone. Still very mild.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Sweet honey graham cracker notes still dominate things as I hit the halfway point. What changes is the warmth of baking spices such as cinnamon and cardamom follow up and balance out the honey.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

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

“The last third is loaded with cream and black pepper notes. This flavor profile remains consistent, as the entire cigar has, through until this one is put down for the count. A certainly beautiful flavor profile, however, some additional complexity would be appreciated!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“As I come down to the last couple inches, your combination of graham and baking spices are still there, but the body dialed back a peg or two. Such a shame because the train was really rolling there for a bit. Now it feels like the train is struggling a bit to pull into the train station. Can’t have it all I guess.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions – Gurkha Collection Especial Lonsdale

Draw: 93

“Very nice draw with a straight cut. Plenty of smoke output.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 89

“Maybe the highlight of the experience. It burned razor sharp from start to finish and the ash held on like a champ.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 93

“Great construction on this cigar there was about an inch and a half of ash that held on, and maybe even 2 inches at one point.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89

“This was a very straightforward Connecticut offering. Loads of smoke displayed super creamy flavors with a pinch of black pepper to keep things a bit interesting. What this sample did lack however was more complexity as the profile remained nearly identical past the burn in period. Mild cigar enthusiasts I’m sure will truly enjoy this cigar.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“It is a bit too earthy for me in terms of flavors. I found the heavy grassy note took away from the wonderful notes of baking spice and cream. The draw was nice and the smoke output was fantastic with a nice creamy mouthfeel.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall I wasn’t crazy about this cigar, it really didn’t have very many flavors. I got peanuts, some cream, and mostly hay, but it never really went anywhere. At the very end, it became bitter on me and I had to put it down. I would not seek these out.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This was a splendid and sagacious cigar, with notes including honey graham cracker and rich baking spice, all of which I really enjoy. That being said, the open draw and feint ending were a bit of a downer for me. Overall, it is one I could see myself revisiting, as these drawbacks could be one-off issues and the next experience is much more fulfilling.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 102

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Gurkha Collection Especial Lonsdale – Blind Cigar Review