Gurkha’s Juan Lopez told me yesterday the company had 39 individual SKUs, which is a lot. Lopez was right, the booth tour around Kaizad Hansotia’s group of companies was a lengthy one. That being said, the company is largely avoiding introducing whole new brands, rather extending some of its more popular brands.
125th Anniversary Special Edition
Offered in three sizes, each of their own blend: a Honduran Corojo 6 x 52, a Connecticut 6 x 60 and a Maduro 6 x 60. We broke news about the Cohiba-inspired boxes and their limited status last week. The company went this route to avoid fueling complaints about its new brands.
Cellar Reserve Limitada
Cellar Reserva was the company’s best new brand last year and as such, it’s introducing three familiar sizes in a slightly tweaked blend. It’s a similar story as the 125th and the bands look really good in person.
European Samplers
The company’s European operations will include the four-packs and canister similar to the company’s traditional trade show felt offerings. Gurkha is said to be moving forward with expansion into Duty Free.
Martin
What we know is this. It will be a complete bottom-up rebrand with a chance of debuting in the winter. Maria Martin is working on blends while the company works on the creative side of things. Martin is said to be finishing up clearing the company’s old products.
Prize Fighter
This is made to compete with Altadis’ Casa de Garcia. There’s something great about Gurkha’s bluntness when it comes to what they are trying to do. Pricing is below $2.00 per cigar for East India Co.’s mixed filler cigar. While the company is introducing a pouch format, it didn’t seem to have elaborate plans for entrance into the c-store market. This is made by Rosie Perez in the Dominican Republic.
Pure Evil Goliath
It’s the company’s 7 x 70. They tried a few blends and this is the one that they are going with. As with most of these releases, it will probably sell quite well.
Rogue
The only traditional premium long-fill brand being introduced, Rogue is described as one of the company’s strongest cigars. The strength is no doubt helped by the three ligero blend. The sizes are all box-pressed with a fairly wide price range from $6.00-$12.00. This is made by American Caribbean Cigars.