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Brand: Gurkha Cigars
Line: Micro Batch
Vitola: Liga VH-7 (Toro; 6 x 50)
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Jamastran Habano
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Medium
Cigar stores are a great place to hang out and pick up a stick or two, but when you’re buying in bulk, it’s difficult to resist the allure — and the price — of internet retailers. They’ll get great deals many brick-and-mortar shops just don’t.
When I saw a freebie deal on Cigars International for the Micro Batch sticks, I decided to take a shot with the Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7.
The VH-7 is a box-pressed cigar, and is made with a slightly veiny — but mostly smooth — Jamastran Habano wrapper from 2003. According to the site, only 45,000 of these cigars were made.
I typically switch between cutters and punches, depending on the cigar’s vitola and my mood, but I used a punch for this particular stick and I got a great pre-light draw that was extraordinarily leathery.
Once lit, the cigar was earthy and leathery, and its Habano wrapper was quite tangy and tasty. The sweet, caramel taste of my drink, a Bass Pale Ale, brought out the flavors of the stick.
The cigar was maintained properly in my humidor, but I noticed that about a third of the way in, it started canoeing a bit up one side. This evened out after about an inch, though. Otherwise, the Liga VH-7′s burn was even and the burn line was thin.
As the cigar progressed, it got more even more leathery, a hint of nuts, which I enjoyed at first, but then it only got more leathery from there.
Verdict: I found the Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7 too one-dimensional. There was too much leather, which overpowered everything else: the nuts, the earthiness — everything. It tastes good, and there’s some heft to it, mbut if you’re looking for something more complex, you may want to look elsewhere.
Popularity: 5% [?]
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I am holding Vh-7 in my hand right now, after reading your review i think i will pass on smoking it!
You should give it a go and see if you like it, Usman. Everyone has different tastes!
I found it could use a bit more leather flavor. I thought it had a bread note. Pleasant nut note. The 2nd hlf is better than the first. Gorgeous wrapper. Ash left something to be desired. Mine didn’t burn evenly. Nice draw for a box pressed. Prefer either Gurkha signature more. Glad I didn’t order more microbatch. Can understand why some may like it. Out of a 10 (a graycliff 1666 being that) I would say this ranks a 6.5 (aka worth trying if puchased at less than $4 per).
This is actually one of my favorites. I love the fact that not everyone loves the taste as they are now a tremendous bargain. I do love the taste and the entire quality of the smoke.
Try rolling this cigar through your nose and you will see the pure power of this cigar. Awesome smoke and leaves a burn in the nose which reminds me of tingeling wasabi leaves
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