Gurkha Expedition 1887 Ltd. Toro Review

[Da Klugs]

Introduction
Gurkha is a line of cigars marketed by K Hansotia. They are made by Torano. The Gurkha Expedition 1887 Ltd. Toro is a 6x50 cedar wrapped stick that comes in a plain but unusually shaped wooden box. (Double the length of the cigars) They advertise these as “extensively aged Dominican long leaf fillers and an exhilarating Connecticut-Ecuador wrapper”. I’m not sure about the extensive aging or how a wrapper can be exhilarating but they have been good enough to keep me coming back for more as they come ready to enjoyably smoke. I have smoked most of the K Hansotia products including sherpa, caafe tabac, eact inda, park ave, etc etc. IMHO these are towards the mild side of the line. This was the first box purchase I made when I picked up the habit again after 10 years of smoking cigarettes. Since then (Last February) I have smoked 4-5 boxes of these as one of the daily smokes but got away from them a couple months ago when the CS addiction started.. This one was the last from a box I bought in March of last year.

Pre-Light Ruminations
This is a medium to light brown toro with a silky wrapper (Usually), and after 11 months in the humi starting to smell real nice. These have been very consistent in construction over the 100 or so I have smoked. The head is fairly well made and I haven’t had one unravel to date. Starting to have that sweet dirty taste of a cigar that’s been sitting. As these are fairly mild I always guillotine cut them vs. punch. The draw is alway good or slightly on the loose side.

Initial Thoughts
These almost always light easily but you need to give them a perfect toast. (reasons explained later). Light it up and you get that nice deep woody essence almost from the first smoke. These are not complex cigars just mellow. After about a half inch they get a little nutty I find this more pronounced in this more aged (yea I know calling 11 months aged is a stretch here) version than I am used to smoking. They still have a little bite but less pronounced then younger sticks.

Mid Burn Experience
Back to lighting these properly… this cigar has a unique quality. If you light is perfectly they will ash for over 3 inches maybe 4 if you baby them. It’s almost pure white razor sharp and has a very smooth appearance. The ash is one reason I smoked them so much. It’s cool. This stick unlike its younger siblings, that have sacrificed themselves to my smoking pleasure, started to get a little spice towards the halfway point. More flavor then the young-uns. Maybe like most CS members they temper well and gain complexity with time. Hint I’m trying!

Last Third
Much more spice than I remember. Not ISOM quality but not bad. Usually you can nub these with no problem. Still had some of that woody nutty essence that has kept me coming back for more. Sensed a little tongue twang, kind of Cuban like, but not the same. This was new to this stick for me. It might be my newly expanded vocabulary as much as the stick (Thanks again B52man and goat). I put this one out at about an inch as the spice got a little heavy. It was raining here maybe the humidity was an issue.

Final Thoughts
I think this was a really good newbie ready to smoke stick for me. Mild enough to smoke the whole thing but has enough interest in it to keep buying them. With some age they are worthwhile for all mild/med smokers. But the burn... its worth trying one to see how long you can make the ash. My record is one ash to 3/4 inch.

[G-Man]

Nice review Klugs. I have long been intrigued by this cigar, but didn't know anyone that had actually tried them. Thanks to your review, I think they are worth a shot.

[kjd2121]

I just last night smoked the Gurkha Expedition Toro and found it to be one of the best cigars I have yet smoked. From the first puff this cigar was smooth and tasty. None of the nose burn you get with some cigars. And it does get stronger and more full bodied about halfway through. I can't really describe the flavors only to say that they changed constantly throughout the cigar. The first third was my favorite. I picked up a 5-pack on CBID for 11.00 bucks as compared to 20.00 at CI. Can't wait for the next one.

[Joekendall04]

Informative review, sounds like a nice cigar. I'll definitely keep my eye out for one.

[Baric]

Great detailed review - ive long been interested in Gurkha as they seem to be a smaller brand than most.

[Tristan]

Great review! I'm going to go look for a 5-pack at the devil site right now!

[Poriggity]

Nice review.. I really like this and the Legend, but I can't really get into any other gurkhas... I do however want to try the Nalapese warrior..
Scott

[kjd2121]

Originally Posted by Poriggity

Nice review.. I really like this and the Legend, but I can't really get into any other gurkhas... I do however want to try the Nalapese warrior..
Scott

I just got done with a Gurkha Class Regent Churchill and it was not nearly as nice as the Expedition. It was not as tasty and less smooth, but not bad. I had the same experience with the Class Regent Torpedo.

I still have the Gurkha Grand Master-Special Edition Dos Capas, the Beast and the Gurkha Legend Aniversario Perfecto to try. I will give my thoughts on those once I get to tham. Can't wait.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[mgkrebbs]

Currently (Mon., 3/3) on cigarsinternational.com at $37.50 for 15 sticks.

[Cobrajet]

Nice review! I put a box of these torpedoes away about two years ago, they've aged quite well. Very smooth and creamy now.

[KenS]

Originally Posted by mgkrebbs

Currently (Mon., 3/3) on cigarsinternational.com at $37.50 for 15 sticks.

Just ordered that special deal on CI ... NCRadioMan was kind enough to point me to this review, so I'm glad I ordered them... something to look forward to on the weekend.

[icehog3]

Dave loves them Gurkhas!

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Dave loves them Gurkhas!

what about Bruce?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by BigVito

what about Bruce?

I've seen him smoke one, and he said it was good.

[craigchilds]

I've had the "regular" Gurkha Expedition cigars. They all came in cedar sleeves and had a sort of bitter finish. I liked them, but not nearly as much as the Gurkha Master Select.

Are the 1887s part of this same Gurkha Expedition line? Or are they something else entirely?