The Gurkha Cigars reviews are coming thick and fast, with this one following hot on the heels of our detailed insight into the Gurkha Cafe Tabac Red Head Cherry. We’re sticking with the flavored Gurkha Cafe Tabac trio, which was reinstated into cigar circles in 2018 after a decade in the wilderness.
Out of the three, the company describes the White Rascal Vanilla as a bourbon cigar. Manufactured at PDR Cigars’ Blue Star Cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, let’s see how this 4 x 32 small panetela fared at combining naturally rich tobacco flavors with creamy sweet vanilla.
Brand Overview
Revered by the British army for their bravery and regarded as the fiercest soldiers to take up arms, the Brigade of Gurkhas inspired Brits to refer call homemade stogies as “Gurkhas.” This was during the late 1800s when the British Empire ruled vast parts of the globe, spreading the Gurkha name through the British colonies, most notably India (see below).
A century passed before Gurkha Cigars became synonymous with the luxury smokes, exceptional blends, and unique flavor profiles that today’s connoisseurs crave and love. Rewind the clock to 1989 and a holiday to Goa, India, that resulted in savvy businessman Kaizad Hansotia swapping selling luxury watches in his family business for meticulously handcrafted cigars.
After acquiring the brand for just $149 from a Portuguese man, Hansotia’s initial plan wasn’t to make money from these high-end smokes. Instead, he planned to gift them to his clients. However, he sent some boxes to a friend who owned a duty-free shop, and customer demand quickly rocketed. After speaking with Charlie Torano (current President of Torano Cigars), they agreed to roll out Gurkha’s first-ever cigars.
Quickly establishing themselves as a high-end cigar manufacturer, their glorious smokes even found their way through the doors of the White House in the 1990s.
Gurkha Cigars are now produced in the Dominican Republic, garnering critical acclaim and accolades from tobacconists worldwide. While they are still the go-to stogie for opulence and quality, they’ve broadened their appeal with budget offerings such as the Gurkha Cafe Tabac series.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Strength: Medium
- Wrapper: Dominican Republic
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Sizes Available: Gurkha Cafe Tabac White Rascal Vanilla (4 x 32)
Cold draw
The semi-sweet aroma off the wrapper isn’t as potent as the cold draw, which leaves delicious vanilla purring on my palate. Some subtle baking spices are also present, which made for some enjoyable dry puffs. Let’s find out what other flavor notes came to fruition in this quick smoke size once I’d put fire to foot.
First Third
Housing a highly rated blend of spicy, flavorful tobacco, a potent, spice-laced pepperiness was prevalent throughout the first third. Creamy bursts of vanilla and maple syrup accompanied this, with a slight citrus zing in the finish lasting on the palate after the smoke had settled.
Second Third
Even though the Cafe Tabac Vanilla is petit, it was showing itself to be a giant in flavor notes. The second third continued to offer a decadent smoking performance, with velvety, mellow, and smooth surprises of caramel, honey, and, you’ve guessed it — vanilla.
As the pepper spice had retreated to the background, the cigar tasted incredibly sweet and creamy, adding depth to the remarkably rich tobacco.
Final Third
There had been a real vanilla essence throughout my short smoke, and not even this little rascal would get up to mischief as I approached the nub. Layers of vanilla cream, honey, cinnamon (the cold draw baking spice), and nuts tangled for position before an undercurrent of rich spice brought greater balance to the flavor profile.
Conclusion
Billed as a “great cigar after a long day at the office,” the generous notes of rich vanilla exuding from the Gurkha Cafe Tabac White Rascal Vanilla also make it an excellent pairing with cream soda or your favorite spirit.
For a smoke lasting a mere 15-20 minutes, it’s proof that Gurkha can deliver luxury and great flavors in small packages. Available in 10 tins of 5 from cigars.com for $130.00, explore the flavored cigar arena today.
