Let's discuss Gurkha cigars

[DogRockets]

As some people have mentioned lately, as we're approaching summer hotter topics on the forum seem to have slowed down. Let's change that right now and discuss Gurkha cigars.

Now, I'll be the first to say that cigar wise, they have some I enjoy. From the B&M perspective I've enjoyed the 125th Anniversary Maduro, Rogue and Cellar Reserve. I've not had one of these yet that have disappointed me. Wish the 125th Anniversary Maduro wasn't sold out - I'd love to find more.

From the CI/ccom perspective I love the Doble Maduro and have enjoyed a Beauty and Black Beauty in the past as well. Matter of fact I picked up a 10 pack of the Doble Maduro just yesterday! Now I know some Gurkhas have burn issues and some are really tasteless to me, but there are some good tasting smokes. Though I've been smoking a Gurkha when I'm with Horseshoe and my Gurkhas burn better than whatever he smokes.

As I've been known to say, "Nothing burns like a Gurkha".

Of course don't buy into the high MSRP garbage CI/ccom use on these but also don't buy into the all Gurkhas are crap camp.

So with the first shot in the air, let's discuss Gurkha - do you love them? hate them? tell your favorite Gurkha stories.

Let's liven up this forum as we enter June.

NOW GO

Edit: Don't take this thread as an invitation to send me all the loose Gurkhas in your humidor! I've got enough cigars and no room. I just want to talk about living the Gurkha lifestyle.

[RenoH414]

I can honestly say I've never tried any Guhrka.

Reno

[DogRockets]

I can honestly say I've never tried any Guhrka.

Reno

This must change before the month is over!

[RenoH414]

I guess it comes from joining here before I ever ordered any and all the bad reviews. So, I just found others in that price range that I like and never looked back. I really like the RoMa Craft for the $6-$8 range so that's what I went with.

Reno

[c.ortiz108]

I'm a contrary-type person by nature, so I always like a good Gurkha thread! I think they put out some pretty good cigars, and some crap. I liked the Class Regent, Symphony, Beast and one or two others. Master Select and Beauty were meh, but for $2 were way better than a lot of other cheap sticks (and a hell of a lot better than the Oliva O I had last night.... review to come). The Status was terrible.

One thing a lot of people don't get is that Gurkha doesn't actually make their own cigars. A.J. Fernandez makes the Park Ave. and Sherpa, Abe Flores makes the 125th. So some are going to suck and others not. It's the MSRP and the hype that make people hostile to the brand, but in the end they might be losing out on some good cheap sticks.

[Branzig]

Now here is a topic that can spark some debate! Or a circlejerk of hate....can really go either way :lol:

I for one, have had a couple that weren't bad taste wise...but construction? Agh! They are pretty awful. The burn issues on these puppies are kinda legendary. As is their quality control. But if you can get them cheap enough, they make decent golf/yard gars.

My only other beef with them is the fact that so many of their sticks (and boy oh boy do they have a ton of different sticks...) taste a lot alike. And over half of that lot all taste alike in a bad way. Like hot steam flavored with a hint of air.

With all that said, I have to admit to liking a Centurion from time to time. And The Beast isn't too awful either.

[droy1958]

I'll smoke the class regent and the shaggy lancero...

[jhedrick83]

Just like in life, it's important to remember that most things are not absolutes. There are some decent Gurkhas out there. Some. I think what really rubs some people the wrong way is the enormous markup/markdown game that you see on CI. You know, MSRP $75 a stick, yours for $7.95. OMG 90% off LOL! Not just directed at CI, I just hate the crap in general. To me value is defined as what someone will pay for something. I can say my boogers are worth a cool mil each, but nobody will pay a penny for one. I think the "massive markdown" aspect causes them to lose a lot of respect with a lot of smokers.

[DogRockets]

Just like in life, it's important to remember that most things are not absolutes. There are some decent Gurkhas out there. Some. I think what really rubs some people the wrong way is the enormous markup/markdown game that you see on CI. You know, MSRP $75 a stick, yours for $7.95. OMG 90% off LOL! Not just directed at CI, I just hate the crap in general. To me value is defined as what someone will pay for something. I can say my boogers are worth a cool mil each, but nobody will pay a penny for one. I think the "massive markdown" aspect causes them to lose a lot of respect with a lot of smokers.

Do your boogers come in a singles only or 10 pack mazo? Let's get the savings started!

[droy1958]

Just like in life, it's important to remember that most things are not absolutes. There are some decent Gurkhas out there. Some. I think what really rubs some people the wrong way is the enormous markup/markdown game that you see on CI. You know, MSRP $75 a stick, yours for $7.95. OMG 90% off LOL! Not just directed at CI, I just hate the crap in general. To me value is defined as what someone will pay for something. I can say my boogers are worth a cool mil each, but nobody will pay a penny for one. I think the "massive markdown" aspect causes them to lose a lot of respect with a lot of smokers.

Errrrrr.... Tell me more about the boogers....I may know someone....

[jhedrick83]

Do your boogers come in a singles only or 10 pack mazo? Let's get the savings started!

Of course the guy with severe CAD wants in on it. ;)

Dress box.

[Billb1960]

I've only tried 1 Gurkha, the Centurion Double Perfecto. I bought 6 of them from the devil site in my very first order. I smoked 3 of them and my wife smoked 1. Aside from the shoddy construction which led to bizarre burn issues and 1 cigar unraveling half way through the taste was very strange. Not like any cigar I'd smoked before and never since. The only way I can describe it is like they were all infused with some sort of industrial solvent. Not a pleasant taste. I divested myself of the last 2 along with 4 of the Nestor Reserve Maduros (bar none the worst cigar I have ever smoked) a few months ago. There's just not enough time to smoke bad cigars.

[Zeede]

I wouldn't be averse to trying one, I just have an ever increasing list of cigars that I want to try that keep bumping Gurkhas down.

[DogRockets]

Of course the guy with severe CAD wants in on it. ;)

Dress box.

Good Lord dress boxes for boogers?? Time to start an ISO for that. Sounds rare!

[c.ortiz108]

I've only tried 1 Gurkha, the Centurion Double Perfecto. I bought 6 of them from the devil site in my very first order. I smoked 3 of them and my wife smoked 1. Aside from the shoddy construction which led to bizarre burn issues and 1 cigar unraveling half way through the taste was very strange. Not like any cigar I'd smoked before and never since. The only way I can describe it is like they were all infused with some sort of industrial solvent. Not a pleasant taste. I divested myself of the last 2 along with 4 of the Nestor Reserve Maduros (bar none the worst cigar I have ever smoked) a few months ago. There's just not enough time to smoke bad cigars.

I have one of those Nestors and was looking forward to trying it! So you don't agree with the 93 rating, then? :wink:

The Gurkha Symphony I had tasted like Band Aids and soup, but for some reason I liked it!

[Old Smokey]

I like soup!

[six10]

My lone experience with Ghurka lasted one inch Lol. But to be fair it may of been over humidified. It came in a sampler.

Needless to say it didn't send me scurrying to the internet to secure more but...
I try to be open minded because with all the variables involved (including cigar to cigar inside the same box), you really never know.

I'd try one again. If someone handed it to me. And they were armed.

[Billb1960]

I have one of those Nestors and was looking forward to trying it! So you don't agree with the 93 rating, then? :wink:

The Gurkha Symphony I had tasted like Band Aids and soup, but for some reason I liked it!

Good luck with it. I smoked 3 of them and when they weren't canoeing they were tunneling like POWs. They were basically unsmokable even after months in the humidor. 93 rating? Sure on a 1000 point scale.

[AlanS]

DogRockets got some Goodies today! Were those Gurkha's Brother?

[Bull]

Friends don't let friends smoke Gurkha's. ...you will run out of money before you find one you like.....to many other options out there to play with that marca

[Old Smokey]

I don't bash Gurkha's because I have never smoked one. I admit I have been swayed public opinion on the forum. The few I have owned were given to an elderly guy who loved cigars but could only afford to buy any on rare occasion. After he had enjoyed about a dozen, I asked how he liked them and he said a couple weren't too bad. Take notice, he didn't say a couple were good, he said NOT BAD. Like I said, I don't bash Gurkha's.

[AK47]

Only had one so far, a Centurian. Thought flavor was not bad at all, but the burn was atrocious. Had to touch up at least 6-7 times. I don't like the fact they have so many lines out, hard to keep track lol.

[chris19]

I have tried a couple of Gurkha's and enjoy some of them. I will have to say the crest and the beauty are pretty good smokes. I bought a 10 pack of the beast and all of them had major draw issues. I was getting a headache trying smoke it. With the being said they all aren't bad. You have to try them for yourself.

[RockysPatel]

I like the Seduction and 15/18 yr cellar reserve. If you have either of those you dont like id glady swap you for some.

[jhedrick83]

Good Lord dress boxes for boogers?? Time to start an ISO for that. Sounds rare!

SnotRockets for DogRockets!

[Hardheaded]

I have yet to try a Gurkha. At the price point locally I have just about anything else available aside from some padrons, Davidoff, and a few others. As for online I have just not really bothered to pick any up. Maybe I'll tack some on to a cbid order some day if the price is right and give them a shot.

[Cool Breeze]

I have tried 2 of them.

I've smoked 2 Beasts and liked them quite a bit actually.
I can't remember what line the other one was but was a natural wrapper in a cedar sleeve. It was terrible.

So, I'm batting .500 so far. I wouldn't be opposed to trying some more but to be honest, they'll probably have to come in Samplers and such. With their reputation, I won't be going out of my way to buy them.

[herman]

I had a Gurkah. And I liked it.

[Zeede]

I had a Gurkah. And I liked it.

Is that set to Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"?

o/~ "I smoked a Gurkha 'n I liked it - the taste didn't make me sick.
I smoked a Gurkha just to try it - hope my fellow bums don't mind it." o/~

[Upstatemax]

I got sucked into the whole CI Gurkha thing. I took a break from smoking and kept a humidor full of Gurkha's going.

It nearly turned me off to cigars. After crap cigar after crap cigar, I just though I did not like cigars anymore...

Then I fired up a Man O' War that had been sitting around for years and BAM! I figured out what was wrong, I was smoking Gurkha's...

There are a few that are okay. I'm actually quite fond of the micro-batch series. But as a whole, they were consistently tasteless, un-involving and had ridiculous burn issues.

[allusred]

Think I have only smoked a couple of them.Some sort of self preservation instinct prevents me from remembering.
Only joking,or am I? Now,what is the subject of this weave/
Ok.Recall smoking one, perhaps two of the Centurions.Seemed far too big also tasted rather strange. Later tried some thing called a European somthing...or was that a Rocky Putred blend ? Right it wasn't a G*******. Sure was awful tho.
Don't believe I'd ever one again.
Suicide by cigar, doesn't seem right no kinda how.

[DLtoker]

I've smoked and enjoyed many. I've also put many down within the first inch due to them tasting either like nothing at all or fresh dog dung. The Widow Maker is probably my favorite. Everyone has to try a few for 2 or 3 bucks a stick.

[DogRockets]

I wonder who's grand idea it was at CI/ccom to slap a $20-$50 MSRP per stick on them in the first place. It seems like such odd marketing. Sure it may get someone to buy them once or twice, but I'd rather have a customer for life than snooker someone into thinking it's a great deal only to be disappointed. If they were marketed strictly as a $4 smoke, would people think differently of them?

Also I totally agree with someone earlier who mentioned their line-up of sticks is extensive but about half of them seem to taste alike. Another strange part of the CI/ccom marketing ploy that I don't understand.

[Horseshoe]

I have had 3 or 4, and all of them have been poorly constructed. I can't seem to get over that aspect.

[Tombstone]

Overall I like them. I have not found one that is unsmokeable but they make plenty I would not revisit. Some of the standouts to me have been the Wicked Indie, Red Witch, Viper, Park Ave. They seem tobe the red headed step child of the cigar industry but they hands down were the most generous booth at cigarfest this year as far as giving out swag.

[DogRockets]

I have had 3 or 4, and all of them have been poorly constructed. I can't seem to get over that aspect.

Last time I saw you smoke a LP9 you had to touch it up a couple of times. Stop buying into the negative hype on Gurkha!

[herman]

I'm sure Gurkha has some others I'd enjoy, I just have troubles taking them seriously due to their marketing. I bought a Gurkha Ghost a little over MSRP at Downtown Disney and smoked it on the spot. It had a good burn, good construction, and good flavor. It got a little bitter and hot towards the nub and left a little lingering aftertaste, but it didn't ruin the smoke for me. It was good, but a little overpriced. While browsing their endless lines with imaginative packaging and pricing, I can kind of see why they were sold at Disney. Consequently, there are just too many other cigars out there I'd rather try first.

[Zeede]

I'm sure Gurkha has some others I'd enjoy, I just have troubles taking them seriously due to their marketing. I bought a Gurkha Ghost a little over MSRP at Downtown Disney and smoked it on the spot. It had a good burn, good construction, and good flavor. It got a little bitter and hot towards the nub and left a little lingering aftertaste, but it didn't ruin the smoke for me. It was good, but a little overpriced. While browsing their endless lines with imaginative packaging and pricing, I can kind of see why they were sold at Disney. Consequently, there are just too many other cigars out there I'd rather try first.

This must've been in Florida. California is so hostile about smoking I can't see it happening in Anaheim.

[Bernardini]

I had a few that were ok, a few that were GOD AWFUL :puke:, and NONE that blew me away. I don't smoke daily, so when I do get the chance to sit down and relax, I want a reliable, known commodity that will be well made with interesting flavors. Gurkhas don't provide that for me and will no longer get the chance in my humidor. There are WAY too many cigars out there that I enjoy to go back to a Gurkha.

My :twocents:

[DrBob]

I got sucked into the whole CI Gurkha thing. I took a break from smoking and kept a humidor full of Gurkha's going.

It nearly turned me off to cigars. After crap cigar after crap cigar, I just though I did not like cigars anymore...

Then I fired up a Man O' War that had been sitting around for years and BAM! I figured out what was wrong, I was smoking Gurkha's...

There are a few that are okay. I'm actually quite fond of the micro-batch series. But as a whole, they were consistently tasteless, un-involving and had ridiculous burn issues.

This. A couple of ghurka samplers nearly put me off cigars in the beginning, that said there are a few pretty good cigars, though construction is always an issue. Ghost, European Selection Habano, Status Maduro, come to mind.

[fastnbulbous]

I have had a couple. Both in my first year or so is smoking. I remember really liking one of them. But it was also a nice hot day out on the golf course. Don't remember any burn issues. It was a biggun. The other I do not remember, but I am pretty sure that I had another. I also never really thought to buy one again.

[cocker_dude]

In honor of this thread, I'm having one now...and regretting it.

Seriously though, they are not my favorite but there are worse out there. There are also a lot better and I do not plan on increasing my inventory of them.

[Yarddog]

They make some pretty dern good ceegars! Just like any of 'em...if I like, I like, regardless of price point. The 125th Anniversary is a damned good stick. They are my neighbor's favorite, and I enjoy 'em too. Their marketing scheme is the tricky part, I think.