Gurkha Pure Evil Robusto (Single Loose Cigar)

• Length: 127mm
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Flavour: Medium-Full
• Wrapper: Ecuadorean Habano
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Origin: Nicaraguan

I've had some interesting names pass across my counter over the years. Black Magic, Devil's Holiday, various things involving dragons and the occasional cigar named after somebody who presumably owned a very large hat. But Pure Evil? That's a fairly serious accusation to make against a bundle of tobacco leaves.

Gurkha has never been particularly shy about its presentation. The company has built a reputation for theatrical branding, elaborate cigar bands and names that suggest you're buying something confiscated from a pirate captain. This Robusto continues the tradition rather splendidly.

The band is black, red and silver, with a skull taking pride of place. Beneath it sits a handsome medium-brown wrapper, with the seams of the rolled tobacco visible along the body. It's a striking contrast: all that sinister artwork surrounding what is, fundamentally, a traditional handmade cigar.

And that's the interesting thing about Gurkha. For all the extravagant imagery, the underlying business is an established name in premium cigars, with a history tied to Kaizad Hansotia's development of the modern brand. The company's marketing might enjoy a bit of theatre, but the tobacco still has to justify its place in the humidor.

The Robusto format is a familiar favourite for good reason. Its comparatively compact proportions make it an appealing alternative to a longer Churchill or Toro, while retaining the substantial character associated with a traditional large-ring-gauge cigar. It's a shape that has survived decades of changing fashions.

As a single loose cigar, this is also a convenient opportunity to explore the Pure Evil range before committing to a box. You get the cigar itself, rather than a grand presentation case that requires you to rearrange half the furniture to accommodate it.

I particularly like the contrast between the rather alarming name and the familiar Robusto silhouette. Somebody in Gurkha's design department has clearly enjoyed themselves.