Cigar:            Gurkha Regent

Size:       50 x 6.00" severe press

Country:    DR

Wrapper:    Havana 2000

Binder:           Indonesian

Filler:           DR, Ligero

Flavor Strength:Medium-Full

NicotineStength:Medium-Full

Date Received:    2004-07-29

Suspected Age:    2+ years

Vendor/Price:     Gift of Mickey, ASC.  Thanks, Mickey!

            About $6.00, cheaper on CigarBid

Hype:      

Beverage(s):      Water, Pyramid Snow Cap Ale

Smoke time:       1:45

Date:       2006-11-17

Posted to ASC:    2006-11-17

Overall score:    4.2 / 5.0

Overall:    A very good cigar.  Dark, oily wrapper looks good too.  Starts simple with strong leather, then an aromatic fruitwoodiness enters.  Full finish slowly sweetens over the smoke.  In the latter portions the fruitwood takes the fore and the leather fades into a mellow background.  Near the nub aromatics ramp up.  Very white ash, annoyingly flakey.  Definitely worth having a 5-pack or two around. 

Ambience:   Sorted my cigar spreadsheet by date and found this had been sitting in humidor #1 since 29 July 2004.  Only a behemoth La Hoja Selecta      (old blend) (50 x 7.5") from Beans was older, but that was more cigar than I wanted to smoke.  Had a couple of busy and emotional weeks, and I am glad to be through them.  First, a trip to New Orleans for the jazz funeral of my closest friend and business partner.  Then a quick business trip to Phoenix, then immediately upon my return, the funeral of my ex-father-in-law.  Both services were an opportunity to see old friends, lovers, and acquaintances, but for all the wrong reasons.  I am hoping they will not come in threes.  Listening to Blowin' Smoke #24.

Appearance: Very dark, mottled, fine veined, oily wrapper.  Severe press though not with the razor-sharp edges.  Long double-cap.  Pretty hard along length due to the press. 

Cut & Prelight:   Leather and chocolate unlit aroma.  Cut well yielding a somewhat restrictive draw with a musty, dry leaves draw flavor and a bit of pepper on the tongue.  The shape feels uncomfortable in the mouth.

First third:      Initially very sour pepper which quickly faded, to a very strong leather.  White, very flakey ash held to an inch.  Still strong leather and little else.  A bit of sweetness in the long finish.  Some hardwood entering. 

Second third:     More fruitwood, and a drying finish.  Actually, pretty good. 

Third third:      Leather and fruitwood.  Nice aromatic finish with a hint of sweetness.  As the nub is approached some spice and "high" aromatics.  Abandoned at 1".  Spicey, fruity finish.  Slight nicotine buzz.