Gurkha Grand Reserve cigars have friends in high places, most famously being associated with President Bill Clinton during his time in the Oval Office.
Sometimes written as Gurkha Grand Reserve, these cigars are infused with cognac, giving them a distinctive flavor that prevails throughout the smoke. If you like cognac, you'll probably like Gurkha Grand Reserve.
The Gurkha Grand Reserve Torpedo in particular comes in a pointed bullet-like shape with a choice of wrappers. Connecticut Shade tobacco leaves in either a natural coloring or a deep Maduro shade give you two ways to enjoy this cognac-infused smoke.
Whichever wrapper you choose, you'll be treated to a premium handmade cigar rolled by artisans in Honduras. The painstaking construction makes for a slow and even burn, with the 6.25-inch stick taking around two hours to burn down to the nub.
While the flavor profile is dominated by the cognac infusion, that's the point, and there's plenty of sweet tobacco and velvety smoke that works well with the liquor.
Gurkha Grand Reserve ships in boxes of 30, with each stick, supplied in a wax-sealed glass tube to keep the aroma of the cognac in the tobacco up until the moment you light it. With a real sense of luxury, these cigars make a great gift even as singles and are a worthy addition to your next order from Cigars.com.
Brand overview
Gurkha Cigars are known for sitting at the premium end of the market. In particular, the brand's cognac-infused cigars have become some of the most highly rated in the world.
Gurkha took this reputation to new heights with the launch of Gurkha His Majesty's Reserve, infused with Louis XIII Cognac instead of the usual Remy Martin, and priced at $1,500 for a 7.5 x 52 Churchill. Sir Winston Churchill himself enjoyed cigars and cognac as a pairing, reportedly going so far as to dip his cigar in his drink to add flavor.
With Gurkha Cigars there's no need to do that. Instead, the tobacco is infused with cognac using a secretive process. Importantly, it is not 'flavored' in an artificial way, so during the smoke, the natural, authentic taste of the brandy can be enjoyed in full.
Aside from $1,500 singles and much more affordable boxes of 30, you can also buy smaller numbers of sticks in the form of Gurkha 5-Packs. Coming in at around $20-25, these samplers are an awesome way to try something new, or top up your humidor with plenty of variety from across the Gurkha Cigars portfolio.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Honduras
- Strength: Mellow-Medium
- Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Smoke Time: 2 hours
- Sizes Available:
- Gurkha Grand Reserve Torpedo Natural (6.25 x 52)
- Gurkha Grand Reserve Torpedo Maduro (6.25 x 52)
Cold Draw
Sweet on the nose with a cold draw that puts up just the slightest gentle resistance, Gurkha Grand Reserve Torpedo has a pleasant apple aroma. Throughout this review, we'll be focusing on the Natural, but if you prefer your flavor profile deeper and headier, Maduro's darker wrapper has got you covered with an even more evocative experience.
Flavor profile: first third
Let's deal with the cognac first. Stored in wax-sealed glass tubes, the Gurkha Grand Reserve retains the full flavor of its brandy infusion. It's not overwhelming, but it is an ever-present character throughout the smoke. If you're a fan of Remy Martin, this is one stick you really need to experience.
Behind the brandy taste, there are hints of sweetness and milk chocolate. Overall the mouthfeel is smooth, not harsh as liquor can be. Retrohales are not too challenging either, allowing you to dive deep into the Grand Reserve journey.
Flavor profile: second third
Moving toward the middle of the stick, yes, there's still a distinct flavor of cognac. The creamy background starts to transition more toward a woody base, bringing to mind the barrels in which brandy and cognac are aged.
It's a pairing that both contrasts and complements, and makes the fourth inch one of the most intriguing phases in the overall process of smoking Grand Reserve.
Flavor profile: final third
The taste of oak wood remains throughout the final third, giving Grand Reserve more dryness. The early cream has faded completely now, although the smoke and retrohales are still velvety smooth.
It's hard to say if the cognac flavor has diminished or if the palate has just become accustomed to it. Either way, you can taste the liquor for several minutes even after Grand Reserve has burned its last inch.
Conclusion
There's no need to pretend that the cognac infusion doesn't dominate this stick. That's its raison d'etre and a hallmark of Gurkha Cigars' premium portfolio. If you don't have a spare $1,500 to spend on His Majesty's Reserve, then Grand Reserve Torpedo is a truly excellent alternative.