Cigar Review: Gurkha Seduction

Churchill, 7" x 55 ring gauge / approx. $7.50
The last of the three newest releases from Gurkha that I am featuring this month is the Seduction. The banding on this one is the most similar to what one might think of as "classic Gurkha" of the three, but is different enough to stand out from the many other Gurkhas on the shelf. The company's website describes this as medium bodied and describes the blend as "an enticing Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, paired with a Dominican, Olor binder and Corojo, Columbian filler that is sure to pleasure your senses." It is worth noting that this cigar, along with the Cellar Reserve and Royal Challenge, are all designed to be B&M exclusives and they all stick to the more-or-less "friendly" price points begun by the Evil, Viper and Ninja. As with the other Gurkhas, the company sent me three samples for this review.

I like the band on the Seduction. Is it a little ostentatious? Is it a little over the top? Yes...but I like it still. Maybe it's the color scheme against the strangely dark and mottled Ecuadorian Habano wrapper...whatever, the initial presentation is cool. The wrapper IS dark..and very mottled...and somewhat veiny. I can't remember seeing an Ecuadorian Habano this dark (thinking through the others...Four Kicks, Epifania, Nadi Habano Clasico...that I've had recently). The aroma from the wrapper was somewhat delicate and floral in nature, almost with a touch of baking spice, too. The foot had some earth and more of that floral touch. Speaking of floral, I just noticed the huge rose behind the Gurkha warrior's head on the band...interesting touch since this cigar definitely is rich in floral notes (more on that later, but this IS the third one I've smoked, so I do kind of know where this is going). The prelight draw was excellent; I got more floral flavor, but also some semi-sweet cocoa powder and a light-roast coffee.

When lit the Seduction displayed more (surprise!) floral flavor, but I also noticed a distinct bitterness, almost bitter herbs or something, followed by a short sweetness and a retrohale that had an almost chili powder note, with a mixture of aromatic and pepper spice. I have to admit to not having experienced much Columbian tobacco, but it would not surprise me to hear that it is noted for its intensely aromatic quality. One thing this cigar does have going for it is that it is very unlike anything I can remember smoking...very unique. As the first third burned through I picked up on notes of tea and an odd sweetness I couldn't identify.

In the second third, the floral nature of the cigar was subdued quite a bit by a building earthiness. There were still notes of aromatic spice but the pepper spice was building on the palate as well. Construction was excellent on the Seduction as I got ash building up to an inch for needing to be tapped off, a very even burn line and a fantastic draw.

In the end the Seduction got more flowery again, but with an interesting and intense spice on the lips. I have to say this cigar did not hit my palate in all the right places; I'm just not a fan of heavily floral cigars. It is, though, very unique and different from anything else out there, especially in the Gurkha lineup. Take it for a spin and you might see it differently than I did. When I comes to the things that make a "good cigar" it did very well...great construction, perfect draw, good amount of complexity. The flavor just didn't seduce me. Being medium in body and mild in strength, it should be an easy one for a newbie to pick up...and the price does not hurt, either.

Body: 5/10
Strength: 3/5
Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8/10

It's the last day to enter the Gurkha Giveaway on the Tiki Bar. Details on how to enter to win free Seduction or Cellar Reserve cigars can be found HERE.