Gurkha Crest Torpedo

The Gurkha name is one of the most recognizable in the modern cigar world, known for ornate presentation and a broad portfolio that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned aficionados. While the romanticized origins tied to British colonial India are largely part of brand mythology rather than documented cigar history, Gurkha has successfully built an identity rooted in luxury and bold flavor profiles. Today’s Gurkha brand operates as a contemporary boutique producer, focusing on premium tobaccos and high-impact blends.

The Gurkha Crest, also known as Le Grande, stands among the brand’s most respected offerings. Handcrafted in Nicaragua, the Crest Torpedo is built with a blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, secured by a Nicaraguan binder, and finished with a dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that has been extensively aged to enhance depth and smoothness. Medium-to-full in body, the cigar delivers rich roasted flavors, including toast, leather, oak, and cocoa, with a dense, chewy texture and a lingering, subtly sweet finish. Construction is consistently excellent, producing a sharp burn and effortless draw. Its depth and richness make it an ideal companion to a dark, barrel-aged rum, such as Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, which mirrors the cigar’s warmth and sweetness.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.