Introduced at this years Total Product Expo (TPE) in Las Vegas, NV – the new Ghost Connecticut is one of two new lines from Gurkha Cigars this year. This new line was formally put in the hands of consumers at this years Smoke Inn – Great Smoke event held In March.
Juan Lopez, Vice President of Sales for Gurkha noted in a press release:
“We feel that the Gurkha Ghost Connecticut will be the perfect addition to our portfolio of Gurkha Ghost. The original Ghost, housed in a black and silver box, has a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper and is on the medium to full side. The Gurkha Ghost Gold, which comes in a gold box, is more medium body with the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The Gurkha Ghost Connecticut is going to be a bit mild to medium with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Wrapper. We feel that this is the perfect way to complete the Ghost family bringing a Ghost for all palates!”
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – Mexican
- Filler – Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, U.S.A.
The Gurkha Ghost Connecticut is expressed in 3 popular vitolas, each packaged in 21-count boxes:
- Shadow (5 x 52) – MSRP $8.00
- Asura (6 x 54) – MSRP $9.00
- Exorcist (6 x 60) – MSRP $10.50
For this review I sampled two of the Gurkha Ghost Connecticut Asuras. One I received at TPE and the other was the one contained in the Great Smoke package.
Pre-Light Examination
The Gurkha Ghost Connecticut is nicely constructed cigar with a satin smooth golden tan wrapper that exhibits a few noticeable veins in the barrel. The packing it firm with no soft spots detected. A simple cap finishes the presentation.
A single band adorns the cigar that uses a copper, white, and black motif. The Gurkha Warrior is boldly displayed in holding his iconic curved sword. The name “Ghost” is prominently displayed below in a copper color along with “Gurkha Est 1887” printed on the bottom.
Running the cigar along the nose, I detected an earthy and floral set of notes off the foot but not much along the barrel.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be spot on with restriction as it graced the palate with notes of pepper, cinnamon and fruit. There was also a hint of earthy mustiness.
Using a lite cedar spill I warmed the foot with the soft flame so as not to scorch the delicate Connecticut wrapper. The initial puffs delivered notes of pepper and fruit. Follow along a I burn this Ghost to ash!
Cigar Review Notes
- Touch of pepper and fruit to start the journey
- Mild herbal notes join the mix early in the burn
- Solid white ash forms on top of a medium thick and even char line
- Sight bitterness joins the mix in the first third
- Ash fell after an inch and half revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Pleasant fruit and nut aroma wafts off the foot
- Early fruit notes get a bit tangy
- Cinnamon spice notes move into the profile in the second third, adding a richer dimension to the blend
- Mild cream notes deep in second third
- Mild jag in burn appears but never a touch up required
- Spice increases moving into the final while bringing in a drier fruit note
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and
Final Analysis
I have said it previously, and I will reiterate, if you have not revisited Gurkha cigars recently, you are missing out. Their latest batch of cigars is characterized by exceptional craftsmanship and delightful profiles, and the Gurkha Ghost Connecticut stands out as an outstanding example. Although it has a hint of typical Connecticut bitterness, the remainder of the blend’s flavors pushes forward, offering an immensely enjoyable medium-strength journey. At today’s market price, which is easy on the wallet, this is unquestionably one to consider adding to your daily smoking routine. I relished the fruity core and the cinnamon-spice and cream notes, which added a pleasing dimension to the overall experience. The burn was flawless for a good 2 third of the burn with just mild jag appearing deep in the second third, and the ash remained stable throughout the journey. If you are a devotee of Connecticut-wrapped cigars, then this is undoubtedly a box purchase. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat but centered burn cone; (-1) Mild Bitterness; (-1) Mild Jag in burn deep in the second third
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasurable and Consistent across multiple samples; (+1) Box Buy
