TITAN by Gurkha

Cut: Straight Double Blade... I should have tried a punch. Might have helped the draw.
Drink: Ice Wine from Colorado
Light: Torch
Price: Not sure? $10 to $30 I guess....
Thank you Big John & NINE for gifting some NICE smokes!
Wrapper: Dark 1996 Vintage Costa Rican wrapper... looked delicious!
Binder: 5 year Nicaraguan
Fillers: A combination of 5 year old Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Columbian leaf
Size: FREAKING HUGE! 6.2 x 56
Band: Gold with cedar wrap...... beautiful!



The initial cut was nice. After the torch, and working on the draw, I realized that I should have used a punch on this cigar. The draw was very airy. With such a huge ring gage, it was difficult to get a good mouthful of smoke on one draw. Nearly impossible. The aroma was pleasant. The flavor was almost identical to the X-Fuerte, by Gurkha, but not quite as smooth. Being from the Legend series, this makes sense, I guess. The burn was near perfect for the 1st half of the cigar. It did travel just a little after that first half, which I found odd, because it is usually the other way around for me, but still a nice burn with no real issues. I never had to touch it up or re-light it.

Over-all, I found the cigar to be to large of a ring gage, IMHO. I also didn't think the flavor was very complex, compared to how it is marketed. Draw was horrible - just to much work to taste the smoke. Half way through the smoke a little rip in the wrapper appeared, but very minor. I had really looked forward to this cigar and very glad I have a second one I can try in a few weeks. Punch Cut for sure! IMHO you get a much more enjoyable cigar with similar flavors with the X-Fuerte by Gurkha.


A disappointing = C-


Cycle

NOT BAD , BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ALOT BETTER.

A decent gar, but I'm not chasing them to catch up. As for the cut, I usually (unless I know the particular line is packed too tightly to use a punch)start with a punch and test draw. On a larger ring, I'll offset and leave room for a second and some times even a third punch. For example, last night I was able to comfortably get three punches on a CI Legends Yellow without shredding the cap, and the draw was perfect. If the initial draw doesn't produce enough airflow then I will know to either punch again or switch to a cutter.

When you smoke that next one in a couple weeks, skip the eiswein. You're coating your tongue and manipulating the flavor of a cigar that should have deep and concentrated complexity.

if I can't smoke my wine.... or beer..... with my cigars... then it's not worth smoking. "For me"....

Might be different for you....

with .... should be in there somewhere....

I had one a while back(gifted from Burgess) and I enjoyed it. I didn't seem to have the draw issues that you did. I will agree that it was complex and similar to the X-fuerte. I still have the beast to try, gifted from same BOTL.

As always, great review and pic.
Diver

Yea... it really wasn't a flavor issue.... just a bad bad draw. But from Sfraun04 suggestion.... I'll be sure to drink a nice beer with the second one....

bummer... was hoping you would enjoy it more. maybe the punch will do better.

to me, the titan is just a tad milder than i like. good for golf though...





nine

oh yeah... props on another nice pic!



nine

Sig 229 ?

close....

............. 220 45 ACP




Luv it!


;)

"45acp"


Bless you sir. Thanks for carrying a .45.

With all the crack heads down here in Beautiful Florida..... You have to have a man stopper...

Thought it was the right round to have next to a "TITAN"..... hahaha

Sure hope I like the second one better. Might even smoke it tonight. Didn't smoke yeasterday, so my buds are pretty darn clean. See...

AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!