IPCPR 2019: Gurkha
Gurkha Cigars had one of the larger spaces on the show floor this year decked out in bright red that was immediately eye-catching seemingly as soon as you walked in the hall as it was located just shy of the midway point.
The big news from the company is the fact that it has been thirty years since Kaizad Hansotia acquired the brand, and in that time has put out an immense number of brands and of course elaborate packaging and promotional items, all while developing a notable fan base across the world. This year there were several new lines, some new sizes and a collection of travel humidors that stood out among the new releases.
A number of people told me that the Nicaragua Series is one of, if not the company’s fullest offering to date, and I was advised to make smoke it later in the day and preferably on a full stomach. In addition to being full strength, it is also going to be a bit limited, as the company is limiting the cigar to its top accounts. It’s one of two lines to come from AGANORSA, the first time Gurkha has partnered with the noted grower and factory.
- Wrapper: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 Clara)
- Binder: Nicaragua (Corojo 99)
- Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 & Criollo 98)
- Gurkha Nicaragua Series Robusto (5 x 52) — $9.75 (Box of 20, $195)
- Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro (6 x 54) — $9.95 (Box of 20, $199)
- Gurkha Nicaragua Series Magnum (6 x 60) — $10.95 (Box of 20, $219)
- Gurkha Nicaragua Series Belicoso (6 1/8 x 52) — $10.95 (Box of 20, $219)
Production: Limited Edition (Quantity Not Disclosed)
Release Date: Late August 2019
Connecticut-wrapped cigars have been making steady appearances on the show floor this year and Gurkha is contributing to the list that retailers will have to choose from by way of Real. Pronounced ray-al, it’s made at Tabacalera Las Lavas, home of Casa Cuevas, and falls on the mild to medium end of the flavor and strength spectrum.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
- Binder: Dominican Republic (Olor)
- Filler: Dominican Republic (Criollo 98) & Nicaragua
- Gurkha Real Robusto (5 x 52) — $8 (Box of 20, $160)
- Gurkha Real Toro (6 x 54) — $8.50 (Box of 20, $170)
- Gurkha Real Churchill (7 x 52) — $8.95 (Box of 20, $179)
- Gurkha Real Magnum (6 x 60) — $8.95 (Box of 20, $179)
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
The cigar celebrates the 30th anniversary of Kaizad Hansotia’s acquisition of the Gurkha brand, and in addition to getting a regular release that comes in standard cigar boxes, there are also two special releases, one a humidor and one an elaborate chest.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Rosado)
- Binder: Nicaragua (Corojo 99)
- Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 & Criollo 98)
- Gurkha Treinta Robusto (5 x 52) — $13 (Box of 21, $273)
- Gurkha Treinta Toro (6 x 54) — $13.50 (Box of 21, $283.50; Tin of 5, $67.50)
- Gurkha Treinta Magnum (6 x 60) — $13.90 (Box of 21, $291.90)
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: Late September 2019
If there was one singular item in the Gurkha booth that would stop someone in their tracks, it was the Treinta Chest, which features 50 cigars and the kind of ornate detail that one would expect from Gurkha for such a special release. The two lids fold up and are held in place with magnets to reinforce the seal, while a central hygrometer displays the conditions inside the box.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Rosado)
- Binder: Nicaragua (Corojo 99)
- Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 & Criollo 98)
- Gurkha Treinta Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52) — $14.50 (Humidor of 25 Cigars, $800)
- Gurkha Treinta Figurado (6 3/4 x 52) — $15 (Humidor of 25 Cigars, $800)
Production: 1,000 Humidors of 50 Cigars (50,000 Total Cigars)
Release Date: Late September 2019
If you want to celebrate the anniversary but prefer a more traditional humidor, this is the one for you. Same cigars, same price, same production numbers as the chest.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Rosado)
- Binder: Nicaragua (Corojo 99)
- Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 & Criollo 98)
- Gurkha Treinta Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52) — $14.50 (Humidor of 25 Cigars, $800)
- Gurkha Treinta Figurado (6 3/4 x 52) — $15 (Humidor of 25 Cigars, $800)
Production: 1,000 Humidors of 50 Cigars (50,000 Total Cigars)
Release Date: Late September 2019
not pictured
The Marquesa gets its fourth vitola, a 6 x 60 that the company says is getting released in response to requests from customers who wanted the blend available in a gordo.
- Wrapper: Sumatra
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí & Ometepe)
- Gurkha Marquesa Magnum (6 x 60) — $10 (Box of 20, $200)
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
Gurkha Cellar Reserve 12 Year Robusto & Toro
Two new sizes for the Cellar Reserve 12 Year.
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Oscuro)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Gurkha Cellar Reserve 12 Year Robusto (5 x 52) — $9 (Box of 20, $180)
- Gurkha Cellar Reserve 12 Year Toro (6 x 54) — $9.50 (Box of 20, $190)
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
not pictured
Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Robusto & Toro
Like the Cellar Reserve 12 Year, the 15 year version is adding a robusto and toro to the available sizes.
- Wrapper: Sumatra
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí & Ometepe)
- Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Robusto (5 x 52) — $9.50 (Box of 20, $190)
- Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year Toro (6 x 54) — $10 (Box of 20, $200)
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
Gurkha Bourbon Collection Corona
The company’s three alcohol-infused cigars are getting corona vitolas, so whether you’re a fan of cognac, bourbon or rum, you’ll have a new, smaller size to enjoy in the hot summer months.
- Wrapper: n/a
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Gurkha Bourbon Collection Corona (5 x 42) — $10
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
- Wrapper: Undisclosed (Maduro)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Gurkha Private Select Corona (5 x 42) — $10
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
- Wrapper: Connecticut
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Gurkha Grand Reserve Corona (5 x 42) — $11
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: August 2019
Gurkha Travel Humidors
The company is releasing a series of 15-count travel humidors with a total of 21 different designs available, ranging from patriotic and military to motorcycle and ones that draw on the company’s existing branding from its cigar lines. A firm release date is still to be determined, but the company says they will arrive at retail throughout the summer as the full range of designs is produced.
Price: $40
Production: Regular Production
Release Date: Summer 2019
Patrick Lagreid
I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.
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