After receiving a wonderful package from the folks at Gurkha last week, I decided to dig into some of the samples from the last IPCPR show. As always, the folks at Gurkha have an enormous booth and always have some exciting offerings. I’m the first to admit that I’m intimidated by the huge array of products in the Gurkha portfolio. I haven’t smoked a tenth of the lines they produce, but the ones I have smoked have been pretty darned good! One of my recent favorites was my Friday, end of the week treat smokes, the new Cellar Reserve Maduro. This cigar replaces the Criollo 98 wrapper with Brazilian Arapiraca, and it’s a terrific smoke loaded with black coffee and cocoa. I was hoping to watch the lunar eclipse while smoking this, however I either missed it or it was far too subtle for my eye. The cigar, however, wasn’t a disappointment. I was sorry when it was finished. I’ll have to get my hands on more. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of the Gurkha Seduction (and one I had last week didn’t wow me like before, maybe they’ve aged out after only 2 years?), this Cellar Reserve Maduro (or it may be called the Limitada) may pass the Seduction as my favorite in the line.
Saturday I decided to plunge into Gurkha’s East India Trading Company‘s new offerings, first off, the Rogue Ruthless, which is a box pressed 6″ x 54 cigar with an Ecuador Habano wrapper. This was a loosely rolled cigar, and burned faster than I would have expected. It had some rich and peppery flavors and certainly held my attention. My biggest complaint is that the bands were so hard to get off! Other than that, the bands are fine and are quite eye catching. Nice cigar, I’d smoke it again for sure.
After dinner I selected the final cigar of the day, the Prize Fighter, also from Gurkha’s East India Trading Company. This is a budget offering packaged in Fresh-lock pouches. The cigar had a Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and was loosely rolled like it’s Rouge sibling. This is a mixed filler cigar as evidenced by the scraps of tobacco I had to keep picking out of my mouth. This, to me, is forgivable in a cigar that retails under $2. For a cigar in that price range, it was very tasty and mild. It had the grassyness you’d expect but pleasantly smooth. My example did have a significant tunnel at the midway point, but after it burned passed the void it was fine. I’ve definitely smoked more expensive cigars that I enjoyed less!
Here’s a few pictures of the booth from last July’s IPCPR show:
Contest!
On an related note, I’ve got some goodies laying around that I want to share with a lucky reader. This will probably be the last contest before things get crazy in December. Here’s the story: last week I received a very nice package from the folks at Gurkha. The package contained this really cool “can” containing one of their leatherette roll up pouches with five cigars, and a folding cigar scissors. This was a gift to me, but 
I have been the beneficiary of their generosity on too many occasions and I want to share this with my readers. I’d gladly smoke the cigars, trust me! If this wasn’t enough, I happen to have another of the roll up pouches from last summer’s trade show, as well as one from the 2012 show, both of which have been resting in my humidors. So there’s 15 very nice Gurkha cigars, and the really cool scissors (I’ve been really digging the Xikar MTX I got recently, this is a handy tool!). Just leave a comment here and I’ll select a winner at random on Wednesday. Usual contest rules apply. Thanks to Bianca at Gurkha for the gift and for allowing me to share it with my readers!
That’s it for today! Until the next time,
CigarCraig
Gurkha Prize Pack? Gee, I never had one of those… 😉
Wow, that looks awesome! Sign me the heck up.
People like to knock Gurkha, but I think they. Have some wonderful cigars.
Very generous of you, Craig – thanks for the contest, as always.
This is a very cool set. It’s very generous that you would part with it. I would love to have this in my collection. Thanks!
Thanks for the contest! Appreciate the comments on the Gurka’s.
That’s one heckuva prize! Good luck, everyone!
I got to have the Rogue here too, pretty good cigar, still prefer the Wicked Indie though. I did think the Rogue was a touch better than the Red Witch. Prizefighter has become my yard gar around here and the prices didn’t get jacked up by much, 5 decent cigars for 12.50 is hard to pass up. Not the best smoke I’ve had, but the best budget smoke I’ve been able to find.
Okay, I’ll admit it. In the last couple of years I’ve become a Gurkha fanboy. And in the last year, an EITC fanboy as well. I’ve yet to come across a Gurkha or EITC product that I wouldn’t go back for seconds. Add in the fact that they, imo, have $6 sticks that taste better than some $20 sticks I’ve had. Just really impressed with them and the direction that Kaizad is leading is leading the company.
Craig,
As always I enjoyed reading your reviews on the Gurkah cigars. As a new cigar smoker I smoked more than my share of Gurkah’s and 95% of the time I have enjoyed their product line. My Favorite is the “Evil” and the “NInja” and “Assassin” are great smokes also. This is a very cool prize and would love to add those to my Humidor. Thanks for all your hard work keeping us informed.
Goerge.
I’ve not had many Gurkhas. Cool kits! I’d live to check em out.
I’ve had the opportunity to smoke a couple of Rouges. Very nice cigar.
Thanks for the contest. Looking forward to December! You’ll have a hard time beating last year!
Craig,
I also like Gurhka cigars, please sign me up for the contest
Scott W.
I would love to be able to win the gurkha package. Thanks for the contest!
Nice contest Craig, thanks Gurkha and you also.
Nice contest, thanks!!!
Thanks Craig! Count me in.
Nice review Craig…so many cigars, so little time. Thanks for filling in some blanks.
Nathan
Even I had not had a Gurkha in a while, I smoked a lot when restarted smoking a few years ago, and I had heard many good things about them lately; definitively a must try! thanks for the contest!
Yet to try a Gurkha heard too many bad things but people are wrong a lot. Would love to try them, thanks for the opportunity
Gurkha always has some interesting stuff.
Gurka….I haven’t had one in a while. Please prize me!
Gurkha is one of my most favorite brands!
thanks.
Gurkha’ s made a nice turn around making great smokes. Count me in!
Hey Buddy, Looks like a great little gift for the fine folks over there. Hope all is well. Our Flyers don’t like so hot right now!
Very generous Craig! Thanks for the giveaway as always bro. Be a great way to try a few Gurkhas, as I’ve only ever had a couple. 🙂
Love the Ghurkas and reading the blog Craig, sign me up! Thanks for the great reviews!
Very cool, and thanks for the contest! I tried the Rogue Armageddon not too long ago. Very good cigar, but like so many others, I haven’t hit very many of the Gurkha line just due to the sheer numbers…
Win or not – solid move. True BOTL. Hope it’s me anyway!!
This is my first time stumbling onto your blog and I look forward to the next post! Gurkha’s presentation is top notch. You know that they love what they do there when you buy their product. Very cook kit!
Great review, started smokin’ them three years ago and haven’t turned back
I would love to have that pack. Great smokes
Yeah, I sure wouldn’t mind this in my life. Good luck, all!
Absolutely love the Gurkha cigars! Have to have more and really excited about the new ones that came out especially with the rave reviews!
The only thing better than a gift, is a really cool gift from Gurkha!!
Gurkha’s are my absolute favorite. I would live to be a winner of one of these prize packs. Wink, wink.
Gurkha is one of my favorite cigars. I was lucky enough to try the Cellar Reserve Maduro at the Baltimore Grand Prix.
The cellar reserve is phenomenal. I can’t wait to try the maduro…
Another fine contest! I have enjoyed every Gurkha I’ve tried, would love to try these> Thanks for the contest and reviews, Craig.
Love the Ghurkhas. Thanks for the column and the excellent reviews
Just smoked a “Master Select” down to an inch and it’s still going.
The great people at Gurkha continuously are innovating new and exciting blends!
That roll up pouch looks awesome! Gurkha is one of the two brands that occupy the majority of my humidor space. I have yet to come across a Gurkha I didn’t like. Can’t wait to get my hands on the new Cellar Reserve Maduro!
I would graciously accept such a delightful assortment…and then promptly smoke them one by one…or maybe 2 at once…or…I’m getting ahead of myself and a little over enthusiastic.
dude. I’ll take it.
Thanks for the contest! Good luck to all.
Will the Gurkah Beast fit in the roll? After I smoke the five in the roll, thats what I’m filling it up with!
Love Gurkahs.
Awesome! Thanks for the generosity.
I need to add one of those to my gear
That Gurkha is my only cigar line I recommended to all my friends during our summer time outdoor barbeque and nothing finishes a marinated NY Strip Steaks dinner like a Gurkha Seduction!
So as I enter your contest I will be celebrating my 44th birthday on Wednesday with a Gurkha Master Select Perfecto.
This would be amazing to win. Great blog btw.
Would love one of these to add to my costume for Ren Fair! Have been enjoying the Rogue as my evening smoke
This is great! I love Gurkha. Thanks for the contest.
Love my Gurkhas!
Insert witty comment that makes you laugh so hard you choose me. (It’s Monday and I’m spent!)
I love Gurkhas! From the Park Avenue to the Assassin, they have been most pleasing. Thanks for the blog, and looking forward to reading more.
I go crazy for Gurkhas! Had a friend give me a Rogue from the trade show this year. First “new” one Ive smoked. Would love to get my hands on some more!! Sign me up.
Another awesome product brought to you by the great folks over at Gurkha. Kaiser and his crew are top notch.
Looks like a great contest. Sign me up, please.
Gurkha has a wonderful line of great cigars. Hopefully someday soon I’ll get to try out more of their great sticks.
I have always enjoyed Gurkha cigars and Kaizad is a very pleasant person to chat with even when there are lots of people who want to talk to him. I’ve seen the roll-up online but not in person. It would be a great pleasure to receive on as a gift. Please choose me.
Very nice craftmanship. Please sign me up. Thank you.
I’m always a fan of your reviews, and I think this is a really cool thing for you to do.
Gurkha has really stepped up the game, that roll up looks great.
This contest is great! I’m feeling lucky 🙂
I really love gurkha cigars and would love to win these wonderful cigars and items please pick me. Thank you
Those look great. I absolutely love the cellar reserve! I have a few that I’m trying to age, so it would be nice to have some that I can actually smoke.
My fiancee is such a hard worker and loves relaxing with a cigar…he really liked the Gurkha Beauty’s I bought him last year…so i’m sure he would LOVE to add this set to his collection…thanks for the contest!
Glad to have found your blog. I’m relatively new to cigars but completely impressed by what I’ve seen and experienced with Gurkha. They take a great amount of pride in both the quality and presentation of their products. I look forward to keeping up with latest posts on your blog.
Mmmmm! Gurkha’s! I would love to add this to my Gurkha stock.
Would love to try these gurkhas.
I am already the #1 “GURKHA FAN”,
But will forever hold that title if I win this “CAN!”
NICE POETRY……HUH!
Gurkha cigars were introduced to me while on deployment in Iraq. I would love to get more thanks
Gurkha Rules! put me on the list please!
I enjoy Gurkha cigars where ever and whenever possible from my backyard to certain forward bases in southern Afghanistan that prize roll sounds an inspired idea
Thank you so much for having this contest, I love gurkah I personally smoke one a day. My favorite is the Rogue, Ghost and hedonism, the Anniversary series I save for special occasions! Hoping I win something! Craig, your the best!!!!
Thanks Craig. I haven’t enjoyed a Gurkha since I left Virginia. I do believe the last one I had the pleasure of was a Gengis Kahn. I think I’ll stop by the smoke shop on the way home tonight.
Looks good
Oh cool set ! Thanks for the contest 🙂
Liam
What a great package.
Im in!!! Im in!!! Awesome contest Craig!!
If I am privileged to get the cigars they will go to our cigar club at Fort Bliss. I have a club that meets every Thursday night for the wounded soldiers. We have a smoke and sometimes we have food thank you. For over five years now we have provided Cigars at no charge. The soldiers paid upfront.
Love Gurkha cigars. Heard from them you were holding a contest. I’m down!
Thank you Craig for this wonderful offer! Gurkah’s are my favorite. The ghost, Rogue and the Koi are my fav’s- Being a woman, all expect me to smoke the fruity cigars- Not for this girl !
I love Gurkha cigars. I haven’t tried many, but have liked all of the ones I’ve tried. Thanks for the contest.
I love Gurkha. Not only their cigars. I have a Gurkha backpack I couldn’t live without. Its amazing. I haven’t seen these pouches before…..pretty cool. Keep up the good work on the blog. Take care.
It’s nice to see a shop giving back to all of us who support the great cigar industry. Would love to receive this, I’m a long time Gurhka nut. Thank you.
Hey thanks for the opportunity to win such a fantastic offer. Someone will be very lucky to win this.
Great blog! I’d love to smoke these
Would like to enjoy a Gurkha before the weather gets too cold…
Love Gurkha cigars and the great work you do!!!
hey , i’ll take them stogies , lol , I have a hard time finding gurkha cigars in my neighborhood [other than the usual 4 that it] ….. gotta love those seduction !!!
Thanks for the contest!
My first cigar was a Gurkha Louis XIII, my brother warned me about starting on the top and working my way down. And he has been right Gurkha has definitely set the bar high for what it means to smoke a quality cigar!
Here at NYC Firearms and Tactics Unit we are loving Gurkhas … Nothing better than a day at the range followed by a Gurkha and a smooth single barrel!
A man will never work a day in his life if he truly love’s his job.
I sir, am living my life vicariously through you.
Sigh
would be great to win
My favorite cigars. Hoping I get chosen for this contest. Cigars are magnificent.
Gurkha! Thanks for the drawing.
Saw the blog and contest link mentioned on Gurkha’s Facebook page; thanks for hosting the contest!