Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Solara

The Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Solara is a distinguished, medium-to-full-bodied cigar hand-crafted in the Dominican Republic. This Double Robusto (Solara) format measures 5" × 58 — a hefty ring gauge that delivers a rich, cool and complex smoke. The blend is built on Dominican filler tobaccos aged for fifteen years and a Dominican Olor binder, most commonly finished with a dark, oily Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper (and occasionally a Criollo ’98 wrapper, depending on the release). Each cigar is presented in a distinctive wooden box designed to evoke a maturing wine barrel — a fitting nod to its vintage character and collectability.

Read next: the craft behind every cigar

About Gurkha

Gurkha Cigars is renowned for luxurious presentation, innovative blends and a devotion to long-aged tobaccos. The Cellar Reserve line sits at the heart of that reputation — a range built around extensively aged leaves and sophisticated packaging that has made it a favourite among collectors and aficionados seeking flavour and exclusivity in equal measure. Within it, the 15 Year is a flagship, consistently earning high ratings — including a 97-point score and recognition among the Top 10 Cigars of the Year — a testament to what a decade and a half of ageing can bring to a premium cigar.

Tasting Notes of the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Solara

A dense, creamy, medium-to-full smoke in a generous Double Robusto.

- Initial Third: Opens with bold dark chocolate, roasted coffee and earth, with cedar, leather and a gentle pepper spice (especially on the retrohale); a subtle underlying sweetness and nutty undertones add complexity.

- Middle Third: Earthiness becomes more pronounced as the pepper spice mellows, with oak, liquorice and a touch of mustiness; the smoke stays creamy and smooth with a soft, balanced texture.

- Final Third: Intensifies with deeper earth, wood and a return of pepper spice, as mocha, walnut and black tea develop; a lingering sweetness and robust, satisfying finish, with the strength edging toward medium-full while staying smooth.

- Aroma: A bouquet of cedar, earth, roasted coffee, cocoa and sweet spice, with a creamy, mellow undertone.

- Mouthfeel: Dense and creamy with a velvet-like texture and an even burn; the large ring gauge ensures a cool, leisurely smoke with ample flavour development.

Sourced through Barkers of Harrogate, the UK distributor of Gurkha cigars — your assurance that these cigars reached the UK through the authorised channel and arrived in optimum condition.

Free UK delivery for purchases over £50.

We also recommend: Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Maduro

Fun Facts About the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Solara

The Solara’s boxes are designed to resemble a maturing wine barrel — a deliberate nod to the fifteen-year ageing of the tobacco inside, and a large part of the line’s collectible appeal.

At 5" × 58, the Solara is a Double Robusto with a very large ring gauge — the extra girth burns cool and slow, giving the aged tobacco plenty of room to develop its full range of flavours.

The filler is aged for fifteen years before rolling — a rare commitment to maturation that gives the whole Cellar Reserve range its signature smoothness and depth.

FAQ About the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Solara

What does “Solara” refer to?
Solara is the name of this specific Double Robusto format (5" × 58) within the Cellar Reserve 15 Year range — a large-ring-gauge cigar built for a long, cool, flavour-rich smoke.

Why age the tobacco for 15 years?
Long ageing mellows and marries the tobacco, producing a notably smooth, deep and refined smoke — it’s the defining feature of the Cellar Reserve line and a key reason for its high ratings.

How does the Solara differ from the Maduro?
Both are Cellar Reserve 15 Year cigars with the aged Dominican blend. The Solara is this specific 5" × 58 Double Robusto format; the Maduro entry is offered across large formats and emphasises the sweeter Maduro wrapper.

Where are your Gurkha cigars sourced from?
Through Barkers of Harrogate, the UK distributor.