Origin : Unknown
Wrapper : Brazilian
Binder : Unknown
Filler : Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan Ligero
Source : Purchased from Cigars International with my own funds

Today I have for you the Gurkha Empire VI. 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 previous six reviews, you got to see if I got those same results.

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

Pre-Light

Looking over this Gurkha Empire VI, I only notice minor veins along with a nice dark oily looking wrapper. I can feel one small squishy part, but I am not concerned about it.

I am getting a very distinct barnyard smell from the wrapper but it is diluted quite a bit at the foot of the cigar.

I threw a bit of fire towards the foot of the cigar and started the journey on the last of the Gurkha Empire Series cigars.

First Third

Starting on my Gurkha Empire VI, I do not notice a whole lot of flavor right off the bat, or I should say, I do not notice a lot of flavors standing out. I can taste the chocolate and nuttiness, but can’t tell if it is earthy or woodsy undertones in with it.

Finishing the first third I have been getting chocolate, coffee, nuttiness, and I am leaning towards earthy tastes. I would say this is the most flavorful of all of the empire series so far.

Ash on the one I am smoking is not holding too well, but as I admit in the video, I kind of dropped it a bit when I went to put it in the ashtray and caught the burning end with my fingers. All of the other ones I have smoked have had the best ash of all the series, with it holding on an inch and a half to two inches.

I also point out in the video a small crack in the wrapper. I have gotten this crack on all the ones I have smoked, sometimes it was two cracks. None of them have caused any smoking problems, but for the sake of full disclosure, I figured I would let you know.

Second Third

Starting the second third of the Gurkha Empire VI, I am so far very impressed. I am getting lots of flavor without the power, which in my eyes, makes a very nice smoking experience.

I have been getting mostly the chocolate and coffee tastes in this third along with a bit of bitterness. I do not think the bitterness is very harsh, but you can tell it is there especially at the back of your tongue.

I would say the body is in the high medium range and I am still enjoying this cigar. I would not have this cigar as a morning smoke, but some of you may enjoy this with a cup of coffee with the profile so far.

Final Third

Entering the final third of my Gurkha Empire VI, I am still getting the chocolate and coffee notes but a bitterness has crept in that shows itself on the aftertaste. It is nothing very harsh at this point, but it is there.

In the final third I have been getting mostly coffee tastes after the initial half inch or so. I have also noticed a bit of the ammonia taste creeping into the cigar but it is really subtle at this point. I am hoping it goes away as I near nubbing this.

Harshness has come back with a vengeance toward the end and i also got more of the ammonia taste.

I enjoyed the cigar until the very end, so if you don’t smoke them as far as I do, you may very well have a nice lower cost smoke available in the Gurkha Empire VI.

Wrap-Up

What can I say about this Gurkha Empire VI. I really did enjoy this higher medium bodied cigar right down to about an inch or inch and a half left in it. I would have to recommend letting these rest in your humidor for a couple of months before trying them and you may have a better experience right down to the nub.

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Purchase this album – Queensryche – Empire

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