Gift Review – Gurkha Vintage Shaggy Churchill

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Gurkha Estate Select Vintage “Shaggy” Churchill, given to me by club member Pat back in December of ‘07.

Vitola: Churchill

Origin: Dominican Republic

Length: 7

Ring Gauge: 52

Filler: Dom. Rep., 5yr aged

Binder: Dom. Rep., 5yr aged

Wrapper: Dominican, natural, 8yr aged

Strength: Medium

MSRP: $7.70

Produced by Kaizad Hansotia’s Beach Cigar Group, the Dominican puro features a somewhat course-looking wrapper and eye-catching ‘shaggy’ (uncut) foot. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 85.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a pale ale.

The course wrapper gave it a rather rustic looking appearance and texture. The draw required a bit of a tug, but this thing burned perfectly! This cigar could have produced a little more smoke for my liking. The ash, like the quality of burn, was super.

The flavor, though not particularly complex, was very pleasant throughout. In the 2nd half I did get a chocolaty sort of sweet character which was very nice. All in all, a very good cigar smoking experience.

My rating for the Gurkha Estate Select Vintage Churchill is 86. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

Herf #14 – Mixing It Up

July 6th, 2008 - Edmonds, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John, Pat, and Joe. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a good cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group tasting' following dinner.

Unfortunately, this time an ordering snafu resulted in us not getting our selected cigar in time. They did arrive the day after the herf and will be carefully stored and enjoyed on the 10th of August at Herf #15.

The five of us were treated to delicious homemade brews and salsas, crafted by Pat, as we relaxed and chatted out on his back deck. The slow-cooked chili he served up was fabulous and really hit the spot. Once everyone had their fill, it was time for the tasting session; which took on a different twist for us this time since the occasion was now a BYOC event.

Not to be deterred by this change of operation, we persisted in our tradition of rating the cigars that we smoke together. As it happened, two of the guys smoked the same cigar so we have four cigar ratings to present this time; there were two Don Pepins smoked, one Gurkha, a Rocky Patel, and a Vegas Robaina. The ratings, done in our customary fashon, follow Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression). The ratings are as follows:

89 and 89 given by Robert and Pat for the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Invictos (robusto), an excellent cigar.

Here's their points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 and 14 pts (100% and 93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 and 22 pts (92% and 88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 and 21 pts (80% and 84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 33 and 31 pts (94% and 89% of the points possible)

86 given by Fernand for the Gurkha Estate Select Vintage Churchill, an excellent cigar.

Here's his points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

93 given by John for the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo, an outstanding cigar.

Here's his points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 24 pts (96% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 33 pts (94% of the points possible)

84 given by Joe for the Vegas Robaina Famoso (robusto), a very good cigar.

Here's his points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 19 pts (76% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)