
Royal challenge has long been one of my go to cigars. Suitable for many everyday and weekend occasions.
Conctruction
The cover was quite dull, almost completely without the classic oiliness. I missed that a bit. There were no soft parts or veins to reveal that it would burn unevenly. I think the band around the cigar gave it a luxurious feel. A luxurious feeling that you usually don’t get from the band on a cigar in this price class.
Wrapper: Ecuador – Binder: Honduras – Filler: Dominican and Nicaragua
Taste
The scent I smelled was sweet and reminiscent of florals. I cut the cigar and the cold draw gave me flavors of hay.
1/3 Lets enjoy the first third
The flavors were not overwhelming and you could say there was a simple elegance about them all. The cigar was incredibly easy to smoke. The texture which was slightly Creamy brought light flavors of floral, hay, fruitiness, mild nuttiness and a slight saltiness. The retrohalation gave a tinge of black pepper and a little tickling in the nose. The cigar was incredibly lightly smoked and none of the flavors dominated.
2/3 The elegance continues
During the second third of the Gurkha royal challenge robusto, the texture became a little creamier than before. The flavors followed the same track as before but the character changed a little. The florality became a little more determined, the saltiness increased a little, the fruitiness felt a little sweeter than before, the nuttiness had the same character as in the first third part and there was a taste reminiscent of sweet oak. The retrohale became a little smoother and had flavors of black pepper.
3/3 The taste continued in the same style as before
I was not suprised the cigar continued in the same style as earlier. Some times you just want a soft and smooth cigar and that is what i got.The creaminess picked up a bit and was still not overpowering. It was smooth and light. The flavors that visited my taste buds were hay, a lighter sweet fruitiness, creamy florality, the nuttiness from earlier increased a bit and oak.
After taste
The aftertaste was short and reminiscent of walnuts.
Body
The body of the cigar was mild
Smoke time
The time it took to smoke the cigar was approximately 55 minutes
Conclusion and rating
49 out of 50. Yhe cigar was incredible easy to smoke and is suitable for both beninners and more experianced. No flavor that was too much and dominated. If you compare price vs taste, i think it sits exactly where it should be. It was not a complex story which made it suitable for most everyday occasions. A cigat that dident need to much attention to be enjoyed.
Subscribe to our newsletter and find out about all new posts
Latest posts
- Arturo Fuente Opus X Robusto Review: A Dominican Icon Lives Up to Its Name

- What Is a Connecticut Cigar? The Wrapper Explained

- How a Cigar Is Made, From Seed to Shop

- Top 30 Best Winter Cigars (2026): Reviewed by Flavor, Body and Smoke Time

- Cigar Ring Gauge in mm: Every Size, and What Thickness Actually Changes

- Horacio 8 Classic Review: A Small, Nutty Costa Rican Everyday Smoke

- Karina Owen: The Woman Who Built Her Own Name (Part 3 of 3)

- Horacio Heritage 6 Review: A Full-Bodied Costa Rican With a Perfumed Floral Edge




