In 2014, Gurkha released the Classic Havana Blend cigar under its East India Trading Co. The Classic Cigar – Havana Blend is a box pressed cigar available in four sizes, including a Robusto (5½ x 52) that sells for $7.99 per stick. This cigar is made with a San Andres wrapper and a proprietary blend of Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. I was given a couple of these cigars by Gurkha's Director of Operations, Carlos Llaca Torano, at The Great Smoke cigar event in February 2015. I recorded a short video of Carlos at the event, which is available for viewing below.
I found The Classic Havana Blend cigar to be mild-to-medium bodied, but closer to medium than mild. The cigar had an open an easy draw which provided a nice volume of smoke. The taste was very smooth with some hints of spice, almost “Cubanesque”. The cigar held a medium-to-long ash and had a relatively even burn. No relights nor touch-ups were needed during the 45 minutes that it took me to smoke the cigar down to two inches remaining.
The Classic Cigar may not not be very complex, but it was very enjoyable. I rate it with a solid 4 points on a 5-point scale. Of the five brands released so far under East India, I enjoyed The Classic Cigar and the Red Witch the most.
