I just tried my first Gurkha regent last night, too, and my experience was somewhat similar. A very good cigar, no doubt--well made and a nice flavor (though I disagree about the great finish--the beginning was better), but just not living up to the hype. I do think it will continue to improve with age, but I also believe one's developing tastes and other cigars you've smoked the same day play a role. For example, earlier in the day yesterday I enjoyed an IT super fuerte, and my experience is that it's difficult to go from a full-bodied cigar like this to something milder and then be able to fully appreciate the subtleties of the milder cigar. Anyway, I think Gurkha is a very well made product line, but there are others I enjoy more at that price range. Also, it may just be me, but has anyone else noticed how similar the regular Gurkha line is to the Sancho Panza in taste? I found them to be almost identically nuanced in flavor, although the SP is cheaper and with slightly more taste.