TheGurkha Cellar Reserve Platinum 12-Year Kraken takes the Cellar Reserve concept away from the Dominican foundation of the original series and putsaged Nicaraguan tobacco at the center of the blend. Platinum combines an Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos aged up to 12 years, including leaf fromEstelí, Jalapa and Condega. The additional age rounds some of the sharper edges associated with younger Nicaraguan tobacco while preserving its underlying depth and structure.
At6" x 60, the Kraken is very much a filler-driven expression of Platinum. The large ring gauge gives the mature Nicaraguan core plenty of influence, while the Ecuadorian wrapper contributes enough aroma and spice to keep all that interior tobacco defined. The profile iswoody and earthy with restrained nuttiness and warm spice, accompanied by a measured natural sweetness. There is plenty of body underneath, but the cigar is more about the texture and maturity of the tobacco than outright strength.
The Kraken makes sense for the large-ring smoker who wants to explore what additional age can do for Nicaraguan tobacco. The 60 ring provides plenty of mature filler, but it also deserves an unhurried smoking pace to keep the blend cool and composed.Set aside some time for this one—the Platinum Kraken is a big cigar, but its real attraction is the maturity of the tobacco packed inside it.
