Gurkha Symphony Toro cigar review

1/30/2023

Ive only smoked a few Gurkha's and none have impressed me to go out of my way to actually research how to buy them.  I always get a few in some sampler or freebie deal.  And I always find they are mediocre but priced like some kind of top notch smoke.  If they are really supposed to be priced so high, you have to ask, why are they giving these away?

Anyway, this one is supposedly a mild Nicaraguan filler, Dominican binder, and Connecticut wrapper. 

Smoke is pretty mild so far.  Pretty good taste and flavors of toasted graham crackers and marshmallow with a hint of spice and cedar.  It is a tad plugged, which probably keeps the profile mild.  Feels kind of spongy, but these have a couple month of age in my humidor, so they should burn well.  And I do have to touch up. Burning a bit too much on one side.  

But, so far, not bad, but hasn't really done much except for the flavors at first. 

Looks good after touching up and might have some potential.

Hard pulls give some cedar and sweetness, but still seems plugged.  

I tap the 1 inch ash after 15 min.  I'd say burning a little fast, but average if it will build up some stronger profile.  If it stays mild, plugged, and same flavors, it will be a dud.  

Come on cigar.  Give me some hope for not another overpriced hyped up $10 Gurkha bundle smoke.  

It does go well with some a sweet tequila drink.  The subtle flavors are good, but not much smoke out of it.  It's burning good not, still seems plugged for such a spongy cigar.  I think it was looser, it might burn hot and not good.  

I guess it does what it's supposed to. It is mild and gives a little flavor and is not harsh.  It's not bad, but not very good or satisfying.  If you want something to buy the time until you want to smoke a good one, this could suffice.  For $6, no.  For $3, why, I don't know.  I wouldn't waste $3.  

I might let a newbie smoke it, just to make sure they don't say, oh, it's too strong, as this one is milder than the first inch now.  If I don't look at it, I might think it went out.  

If anyone has smoked a Gurkha worth the price, please let me know because this brand seems like a gag.  If I had a bundle of these for $3 a piece, I'd probably just give them away for free, as they really are an embarrassment for a true cigar smoker to keep.  

How can a mild cigar get more mild at the end?  What's the point? From what I've heard, at least a non alcoholic beer has some taste.  It's like drinking an Odoules beer and it turns to water at the end. Why? 

All I can think is these might me good for is movie props.  Take 50, need you to smoke the cigar Alec. Get in character.  But you at least need to know it is a real cigar.  Just not a good one.  

And the last inch is just bad. Went from mild to raw dirt.  

Overall: 82

Flavor 84, complexity 80, burn 89, experience 80, value 78.  

Note: got 3 more of these.  How to donate? Probably will trash.