A few perks of working for Cigar’s International are, I get to work next to like minded people, talk to all sorts of customers from around the world, and try a different cigar every single day. Some of the best day’s are when something brand new comes in and we all give it a shot and compare between ourselves what we like or dislike about every cigar that comes through out doors.

Today the Gurkha Hudson Bay showed up on our shelves and everyone in the store is talking about it. Featuring a smooth and oily Mexican San Andres wrapper that just makes your mouth water. A binder from Ometepe, an island located in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, and a variety of Nicaraguan Cuban-Seed long fillers. A medium bodied smoke that is full of flavor from the initial light all the way down to the finger burning nub.

When I first lit the Robusto size of the Hudson Bay and took my initial draw I was surprised by the wonderful notes I was getting. A nice earthy taste paired with a hint of cocoa and a slight nuttiness on the palate. The retrohale introduced a subtle hint of black pepper and a slight spice. The construction is perfect. The even burn started forming a beautiful ash that held on for the first two inches of the cigar.

After the first two inches the flavor started portraying a smooth toasty note along with a build up of espresso and nice woody taste. The black pepper note on the retrohale starts getting stronger but still stays rather smooth. The spice is still apparent but that is what gives the cigar it’s complexity.

Once I started getting closer to the nub a mellow flavor of dark chocolate started teasing me. The woody note became more oaky with every puff and the sweet toasty flavor came back. The black pepper and spice is apparent on the retrohale throughout the entirety of the cigar. I smoked the Hudson Bay until my fingers started burning, I wanted nothing more than to light a second one up, so I did just that.

The Gurkha Hudson Bay currently is available in 4 sizes. A 5”x50 Robusto, 6”x50 Toro, 7”x50 Churchill, and a 6”x52 Torpedo. Ranging in prices from $49.99 - $69.99 per box. A complex and well balanced blend that will become one of your favorite daily smokes. Mellow enough for yard work, and flavorful enough for sitting out on the patio with your favorite bourbon or whisky.


~Jason B
~Cigars International Hamburg Super Store