I've been smoking since the boom in the early 90's. I was a young 20-something back then and of course, went in to my local hip cigar store (Willow Glen Cigars in San Jose, CA) and asked for "something mild". Needless to say, I walked out with a Connecticut Shade wrapped Macanudo.

Anyway, I've smoked hundreds of different kinds of cigars since then and have my personal "everyday smokes" that are my favs, such as A. Fuente Short Story, Punch Grand Cru and Padron Anniversario. I've always smoked various incarnations of these brands over the years and stay pretty loyal to them.

Anyway, I've been trying to branch out recently, and at the suggestion of my smoking buddy (my cousin) have smoked CAO Brazillias, various RP's and last night, a Gurkha Black Dragon.

This brings me to my question...

Is Gurkha really the "best cigar in the world"? I have to say...I think not. Don't get me wrong, it was an OK smoke. Medium bodied and IMHO a somewhat unremarkable smoke with a slight earthy tones and notes of leather. Honestly, nothing to get overly excited about especially considering the $16 per stick price tag. I think, considering my particular fondness for Nicaraguan cigars, I should have spent half as much and tried an Oliva maduro torpedo. Anyone else feel like Gurkha is the Starbucks of the cigar world, benefiting from slick packaging and marketing? Or, should I try something different from this maker with an expectation of finding a truly great cigar?

PS LOVE this forum!

I have smoked a few from the Gurkha line. Nothing really Wowed me. But they were all good smokes. Maybe not worth the price though.

ive only had the fuerte and the royal brigade, and i liked both smokes.......

just a price issue to me.......

spend about, 4 more dollars a stick and get a padron 64 anny maduro imperial that kicks the sh^t outta anything gurkha makes........

Some Gurkha's are good if you can get them on Cigarbid for under MSRP. I like the Class Regent and can get them for about $3 per cigar on Cigarbid, sometimes even less.

Most, however, aren't worth the huge price tag. Yeah, kind of like Starbucks, but more insane.

quote:

Is Gurkha really the "best cigar in the world"?

I don't think so. I have learnt the lesson that price and quality do not necessarily equate. But many Gurkhas are ok or good. I often have a few in my humi, but never a box because of the price. Got some sticks recently (thank you, Wes) most of which I didn't have before, and this means I'm not going to buy any Gurkha for the next half a year or so.
Also Gurkha offers such a wide selection of different types, and I like to vary my smokes.

This is too funny. No, Gurkha is not even close to being the "best" cigar by any measure other than price and packaging. Naturally, if price and packaging drive your opinion, then stock up on Gurkha and CAO Vision, and you will indeed own the very best.

Their equation seems to be this : "Good to very good quality cigars (i.e. made with severe craftmanship control) + agressive marketing using catch phrases whith absolutely no objective justification (i.e. the Bestest cigars in the universe) = successful business.

And it seems to work !

quote:

Originally posted by flashman:
Their equation seems to be this : "Good to very good quality cigars (i.e. made with severe craftmanship control) + agressive marketing using catch phrases whith absolutely no objective justification (i.e. the Bestest cigars in the universe) = successful business.

And it seems to work !

It does work. I can't blame them for trying to be profitable.

The best cigar in the world is the one that you like the most.

I have smoked a number of Gurkhas and do not really find them to my liking.

Ghurkas are the very best in the UNIVERSE



No go out and buy as many as you can find so we don't have to

They're like the cohiba red dot's. A good cigar, but way overpriced for what you get.

quote:

Originally posted by Jafount:
Gurkha is the Starbucks of the cigar world, benefiting from slick packaging and marketing?

I think this is a good way to put it. I like Gurkha's, I think they are good cigars-but certainly not the BEST cigars. I enjoy them but only buy them below MSRP on C-bid. If buying outright, would put the money toward something else...

There is nothing special with them. And for the price you can find something better.

you know, I asked my local cigar store that same question. His response was actually pretty interesting. The guy that does Gurkha used to be in the merchandise design business, I believe directly related to box design. So, with Gurkha he has tried to implement his old work into his new work. So with that, you are not just buying a cigar but your buying "artwork" thus the extra $$........my thoughts? I'd rather spend the extra $$ on extra cigars =]