Gurkha Fresh Pack Maduro: the dark, deep, sweet side

Maduro, Gurkha's deeper register

Maduro means the wrapper leaf is fermented and aged longer, yielding a color like dark chocolate and a pronounced natural sweetness. Gurkha takes well to this style, since the brand has always favored the bold and the dramatic.

Fresh Pack leans on that word, fresh: five cigars packed to hold their moisture and aroma until they reach you, ready to light without further resting.

The five-cigar lineup

The pack holds the Archive 1887 Torpedo (6.5x52, rated 90), Evil Toro (6x50, rated 90), Legend Maduro Toro (6x52, rated 90), Master Select Maduro Toro (6x50, rated 91) and Ninja Torpedo (6x52, rated 91).

The two pointed torpedoes concentrate the smoke for a denser hit on the tip of the tongue, while the three straight toros give a rounder, balanced ride. One pack, two ways to hold it, two ways to burn.

Where the palate travels

Gurkha maduro tends to open with dark roasted coffee, cocoa and earth, then drifts toward a caramel sweetness and a touch of warm spice toward the end of the cigar. The smoke is thick and creamy, coating the palate in an agreeable way.

This is not a stick to rush. A toro of this size wants about an hour, enough for the dark sweetness to unfold through all its layers.

When and with what

Maduro is happiest in the late evening, when the stomach is full and the head has slowed. Pour an amber spirit, an espresso, or simply still water to keep the palate clean.

This pack is for the smoker who already knows he loves maduro and wants to compare five ways Gurkha tells the same rich story.

Specifications