If I had to characterize the dominant flavor of the Seleccion de Cazador, I would call it spicy. The cigar kicks off with spicy pepper and gives me a preview of what’s to come. The pepper mixes with earth for most of the first third. The second third features more pepper and introduces wood into the equation. The final third switches things up completely with tobacco flavors and rich chocolate. I really did not expect the chocolate to be in there, but it was a nice surprise to say the least. The Regios is definitely full-bodied, but not harsh.

Tatuaje’s strong reputation is well-earned. The Seleccion de Cazador was very enjoyable in all aspects. Solid construction, a great burn, and an interesting, yet spicy flavor mix kept me on my toes. I would not recommend it to beginners due to strength. Fans of Tatuaje sticks or those who love spicy cigars with a kick should definitely try it out, however. Make sure you have a full stomach prior to lighting up, and it is also a good idea to have a nice drink on hand, such as a beer to complement the Regios. The cigar comes in boxes of 25 and costs around $9 to $10 each. It’s not cheap by any means, but you usually have to pay to get quality. That is definitely the case here.

The Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador Regios earns a rating of 3.75 out of four stars.

Gurkha Special Ops Maduro Churchill

K. Hansotia of Gurkha Cigars deserves credit for his brand’s superb marketing. Even without lighting up one of his smokes, he has a way of enticing you through unique names and themes, extravagant bands, and even more interesting packaging. Sure, you do pay a premium for such add-ons, but it does have its market. The Special Ops is a limited edition release made to honor the United States Armed Forces. The cigar comes in a special humidor that looks like it belongs on a covert mission and even comes with a tactical knife, because you never know when you’ll need it (sarcasm). Hopefully the Special Ops is more than just fancy packaging, because it’s certainly not the cheapest cigar around.

The Gurkha Special Ops Maduro Churchill measures 7 x 50. The cigar’s interior consists of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco. Its exterior is marked by a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The cigar’s strength varies depending on where you look, but the consensus seems to be somewhere between medium and full-bodied.