To those who cultivate a deep sense of appreciation for the pleasure and satisfaction that fine tobacco can deliver, there can be no suitable replacement for a fine cigar. Everyone who spends time becoming familiar with and developing a taste for fine tobacco has their preferences, and many fine cigars and tobaccos will rise to the top of any list of highly acclaimed selections.
In our collection, you will find many highly esteemed, premium cigar brands that enjoy a committed, loyal following of smokers. Some of the finest lines in our collection come from Montecristo, Davidoff, Romeo Y Julieta, Arturo Fuente, and Partagas. Yet, this is at best a partial listing and our catalog is much more full of award-winning selection than will meet your first glance.
If you did not see your favorite cigar maker listed in that previous, cursory list, then you might be one of those who enjoy such esteemed cigars as Gurkha Cigars, which owns a history every ounce as colorful, and produces cigars every bit as acclaimed, as the previous names.
Gurkha History
Gurkha Cigars have an interesting backstory, and an interesting face to their brand, that will only become evident with a little bit of research and context. If you’re not one who currently enjoys a fine Gurkha, that much can be rectified, but you might not recognize the exotic face of the brand.
The face of the brand is that of a Nepalese Gurkha Soldier, arrayed in his military decorations and inspecting a Kukri, a knife that is famous not only for the fact that the Gurkha troops carried them but because of its efficacy as a tool and a weapon.
What could be the reason for the Gurkha brand, which is so far removed from the production of tobacco that so many smokers in the new world enjoy? Well, it goes back well over 100 years, to the height of the English colonialism of India, which included the areas of Nepal from which the ethnic Gurkhas came.
The English were fond of cigars; and the English also came to hold a deep sense of respect for the Gurkha soldiers who fought in their colonial regiments alongside the regulars. Because of their fondness for these colonial troops, and the reverence they held for their fighting prowess, they came to term all the cigars they smoked as Gurkhas instead of cigars.
While the modern company that goes by the name of Gurkha is scarcely about thirty years old, the name and the imagery are poignant nods to the old way of naming all cigars in their honor. This historical honor has preserved an old way and steeped the modern Gurkha brand with a color of deep traditionalism. Of course, it doesn’t hurt so much as an ounce that Gurkha produces some of the finest cigars available to the modern smoker.
If you’re shopping through our brands and come across the name Gurkha, there are two broad possibilities. Either you have smoked them or you have not. If you have, then you know your preferences; if you have not, then you have all the more reason to put the mettle of their reputation to the test. Below are some of the finest Gurkha Cigars from our collection. Be sure to try these out if your aim is you introduce yourself to something new and grand.
Gurkha 125th Anniversary
The Gurkha 125th Anniversary line of cigars is one of the most highly received lines of cigars in the world today, esteemed not only for its expert blending but for its flawless construction.
This cigar presents beautifully before you even get the chance to smell, taste, or even give it the ‘first impression’ analysis of a tactile assessment. The cigar itself is easy on the eyes with its Cuban-seed Brazilian Habano wrapper; bright, richly colored, and possessed almost of a sheen that will make you glow with anticipation. You don’t just eat with your eyes first; you smoke with your eyes first, too, and this cigar is a looker. It’s also dressed beautifully in a gold and red Gurkha band.
The cigar is filled with a complex mix of Nicaraguan, Brazilian, and Dominican long-filler tobaccos and is not only powerful but complex in flavor. The cigar offers the discerning taster an interesting mix of sweet and unctuous notes, including spices, woods, nuts, and more. Some might even say this cigar offers sharp, nearly citrusy notes that stand between the spiciness and the sweetness mentioned above. This cigar is a winner on any front, and if you feel the need to try out a highly-rated cigar that you have never had the pleasure of tasting, this is not a cigar to go your whole life without.
Gurkha Royal Challenge
The Gurkha Royal Challenge line of cigars is another favorite cigar generating constant positive feedback. Critically and colloquially acclaimed, it, like the 125th Anniversary line of Gurkha Cigars, is not one to be missed. Make it a point to try this cigar out at all if you are one who considers yourself a connoisseur of tobacco. Make it a point to try it if you so much as enjoy tobacco in passing.
Graced by an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, these cigars are much lighter in color than the 125th Anniversary cigars mentioned above. They also are a little rougher looking due to the venation of the wrapper, whereas many other cigars look smoother and finer. That’s nothing to be missed, however, since the Royal Challenge offers quite enough of its own.
Filled with tobaccos from Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, these cigars offer another complex profile, although one that is one the lighter, more mellow side. One might even call these cigars subtle, which some smokers would prefer.
Considering that this is a relatively light-bodied cigar, it should be no surprise that many critics have stated that the predominant notes throughout the smoke are creamy and buttery, with a touch of pepper and spice. That makes these cigars ideal for those who enjoy a light, smooth smoke. Some producers aim to create cigars that are mellow and others that are strong. As you will see from this and the other Gurkhas in this list, they do a fine job of proliferating their offerings.
Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year
Cigars that come from the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year line are amazing, regardless of what your tastes are. We don’t mean to convert you from an opinion, only to make the statement that they are, objectively, fine cigars.
They are made in several profiles and sizes, but share a lot in common with each other, overall. With Criollo wrappers and Dominican fillers, these cigars are something to look at, just like the 125th Anniversary cigars we mentioned above. Deep red-brown, they almost entice you with their aesthetics alone.
Among the cold draw, pre-lit notes, and through the life of the smoke, this cigar will afford you with spicy and sweet notes not entirely unlike what we have mentioned previously in this article. However, these cigars are arguably the most full-bodied on this list so far and will present notes of wood and earth to a degree that the previous cigars will not provide. They are not overwhelmingly heavy but are much stronger than the 125th Anniversary cigars and cigars from the Royal Challenge line.
Gurkha Ghost
The cigars in the Gurha Ghost line present something of a more contemporary flair when compared alongside the other cigars in this list, but that is no slight against their character. Like the others here, they are effectively must-try cigars, and receive high critical marks across the board, and unequivocally at that.
These are beautiful Maduro cigars that are just as enjoyable to see and feel as they are to smoke. The wrappers are dark, deep, and rich and afford pre-light notes of pepper and other spices, much like the other Gurkha cigars here. However, being a Maduro, the wrapper also presents with sweet earthy notes that are customary of cigars with a Maduro wrapper.
This cigar will develop notes of the aforementioned spices, pepper, and earth throughout the life of the smoke, as well as notes of chocolate that will enhance its richness. The heavier notes balance together perfectly and set the backdrop on which the lighter notes of spices create a subtle garnish.
Interestingly enough, although this is a more full-bodied cigar, perhaps somewhere on the border of a medium-bodied cigar, it carries some of the lighter, mellower notes of the other Gurkhas mentioned here. Some tasters mention notes of cream and butter, although these are more subtle than the other more prominent flavors of the smoke.
Gurkha Assassin
The cigars in the Gurkha Assassin line are not as dark as the cigars in the Gurkha Ghost line, but they want absolutely nothing for richness or full-bodied flavor. These cigars are made with a dark Brazilian wrapper that is a somewhat rare find in cigars. They are aged, extra-fermented, and very colorful, almost red, and contain Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Peruvian binder tobaccos that are bursting with flavor.
This cigar will serve the smoker with the scents of nuts and spices that the other cigars in this list will also provide, but it is powerful, nearly weighed down with strong notes of coffee and earth. Quantitatively the strength of this cigar can be argued, but a case can be made that it is the strongest cigar on this list, and if you are one who enjoys a powerful, full-bodied cigar, this might be the Gurkha for you to try.
Gurkha Beauty
The Gurkha Beauty line of cigars contains many examples of delicate, complex blends you will come back to time and time again if you try them once. Filled with tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and finished with a Connecticut Shade wrapper, these cigars are one the lighter side among the others on this list, near in visual appeal to the cigars from the Royal Challenge line.
They may be light, and they might be called mild-bodied, but they offer excellent construction, they are smooth, and they are positively full of flavor. These cigars throw off notes of nuts and spices, which are catholic tasting notes among a collection of Gurkhas, but they also offer a very smooth, creamy, almost buttery smoke that is just a pleasure to enjoy. If you enjoy a lighter, mellow smoke that can’t be surpassed for smoothness, you can go wrong with one of these, like a Gurkha Beauty XO Gordo. Try these out or give one of the cigars from the Royal Challenge a go if smooth is your preference.
These and Many More
We don’t just offer these Gurkha Cigars in our online store here at Atlantic Cigar. We provide many other Gurkhas among our vast collection of cigars, as well as many other highly esteemed brands. Start your search here, and don’t be shy about contacting us with questions.
While you are shopping, don’t forget to check out our collection of cigar accessories for every need. Whether you need a new ashtray or you want to try out a torch lighter instead of the old-reliable matches, you can find many options here. We also offer cases, humidors and humidification accessories, cutters, punches, and much more. We believe that ultra-premium cigars like the ones we sell should be enjoyed properly, so we are sure to offer you the accessories you need to make that a reality.
We also have many years of experience selling cigars - and enjoying them - under our belts. If you’re looking for some expert recommendations or suggestions, you’ve come to the right place. We offer cigars at amazing prices, but we also provide unmatched customer service, and if customer service to you is offering suggestions, we’re happy to offer them. Reach out to our team any time at 800-887-7877 and we’d be glad to answer any questions you might have.