Origin : Unknown
Wrapper : Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder : Unknown
Filler : Long-leaf Honduran, Nicaraguan and Mexican
Source : Purchased from Cigars International with my own funds

Today I have for you the Gurkha Empire V. This is a cigar that there is not much information floating around on except what is on the Cigar’s International website. To sum it up, there are six blends available that vary in construction, strength and flavor. Over the next six reviews, we shall see if I get those same results.

This cigar comes in one size, a 5.5 x 52.

Pre-Light

Inspection of this Gurkha Empire V revealed a very nice colored wrapper with a few minor veins. I only noticed a natural tobacco scent coming from the foot and wrapper, nothing else.

I sparked it up with little effort and was greeted by a very mild tobacco taste.

First Third

Starting this Gurkha Empire V, I received only a natural tobacco taste at the very beginning which was very mild.

As I smoked into the first third I started to pick up a pepper taste. It was not a black pepper, that strong pepper flavor, but it was more of a nice subtle pepper on the back on the tongue.

Burn line was very thick almost the whole way through the first third but started to thin out as i got close to starting the second third.

I was very surprised that I have only ashed one time so far. With all of the other ones I could hardly make a half of an inch before it would just fall off.

Second Third

As I enter the second third of this Gurkha Empire V, I am still at a nice mild cigar with a natural tobacco taste and a bit of pepper. Looking at the printout for the Empire series I have in front of me, they call it white pepper. I would agree with this as it is not a heavy pepper sensation. I only wish I would have thought of it before reading it (ha).

Pet peeve: Band had tons of glue on the end. After removing this super glued band the wrapper also tore a bit. I am hoping I can smoke through it with no problems. I will mention that I had this problem on all that I smoked.

I am getting the same natural tobacco and white pepper taste that I have had since the end of the first third. I am not complaining as I am enjoying the cigar very much.

Final Third

I am at the final third of this Gurkha Empire V and I am, so far, very pleased. I would say this is still a mild to high-mild stick that does not have flavor change to speak of, but it is just a nice everyday, run of the mill smoke.

Smoking through the final third and with about an inch and a half to two inches left, it started getting harsh. I have had this in every one that I have smoked of the Gurkha Empire V but it does not put me off to this cigar one bit.

Pepper took over in the final third and when the cigar started getting harsh I would get a bitterness on the palette after the pepper subsided.

Wrap-Up

All in all, I would say this Gurkha Empire V was a very enjoyable smoke if you have a mild cigar taste profile. I really enjoyed it until the cigar got harsh and bitter at the end and I will probably put these on my list of cigars to buy again.

Look for my reviews on the rest of the series in the coming weeks.

AUDIO –> Right-Click: Save As

Purchase this album – Queensryche – Empire

Quick links to the others – Gurkha Empire I – Gurkha Empire II – Gurkha Empire III – Gurkha Empire IV