Sorry that didn't work out better for you. I have heard mention on this site of these perfectos unraveling and of bands facing the 'wrong' way. For the record, I've smoked several of these over the past couple years and have not yet experienced either of those issues - but you are definitely not the only one to run into these problems with Gurkhas.

I seem to recall a different flavor profile. Mine started out sweet, turned 'grassy' in the first and second third, and then mellowed into the slightly peppery flavor you described. Hmm. Maybe I'll fire another one up and see how it runs.