Gurkha Cigars is a premium cigar brand based in Tamarac, Florida, revived in 1989 by Kaizad Hansotia after he came across it on a trip to Goa, India; Gurkha now lists more than 105 cigar lines. Gurkha’s product pages list most of its lines as handmade in the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua. Gurkha’s listed strengths run from mild (Prize Fighter) to full (Castle Hall Nicaraguan and Heritage Maduro), with many blends in the medium range. Typical notes in Gurkha’s own descriptions include cocoa, espresso, coffee, dark chocolate, earth, nuts, cinnamon and pepper, while the Real and The Beauty lean creamy with vanilla, and Grand Reserve is cognac-infused. Where to start depends on your taste: Gurkha describes the Real as mild to medium and smooth, and the Heritage Natural as medium-bodied with coffee and dark chocolate tones. Oxford Cigar Company lists Gurkha on its Gurkha category page when in stock.
Gurkha Cigars
Gurkha Cigars is a luxury cigar brand originally inspired by the legendary Nepalese warriors and revived in 1989 when Kaizad Hansotia bought the rights to the struggling brand while on a trip to Goa, India, and built it into a boutique cigar house. Today, with Jim Colucci as President of Gurkha Cigar Group, Gurkha is known for its ultra-premium tobaccos, ornate packaging, and an extensive portfolio spanning lines like the Cellar Reserve (12, 15, and 18 Year), Ghost, Heritage, Grand Reserve and His Majesty’s Reserve (HMR)—handcrafted mainly in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua with wrappers ranging from Connecticut Shade to Broadleaf Maduro—delivering mild to full-bodied profiles of caramel, cocoa, leather, espresso and spice across a range of price points.
Frequently asked questions about Gurkha Cigars
Who makes Gurkha cigars and where are they made?
Gurkha Cigars is based in Tamarac, Florida. Kaizad Hansotia revived the historic brand in 1989 after finding it on a trip to Goa, India (Cigar Aficionado, 2009), and Jim Colucci is named on Gurkha's site as President of Gurkha Cigar Group. Gurkha's own product pages list most lines as made in the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua, with The Beast listed as Costa Rican. Some lines name their makers: the Heritage was blended at American Caribbean Cigars in Nicaragua, and the Revenant was developed by Ram Rodriguez of Tabacalera El Artista.
How strong are Gurkha cigars?
It depends on the line. On Gurkha's own pages the Prize Fighter is listed as mild, the Gurkha Real, The Beauty and Castle Hall Dominican as mild to medium, and the Heritage Natural, Ghost Gold, Sniper and Revenant as medium. The Ghost, Cellar Reserve 15 Year and Grand Reserve are listed as medium to full, and the Castle Hall Nicaraguan and Heritage Maduro as full.
Which Gurkha cigar should I try first, and how do the lines differ?
Choose by the strength and flavour you prefer. According to Gurkha's descriptions, the Real is mild, creamy and smooth with hints of vanilla. The Heritage Natural is medium-bodied with coffee and dark chocolate tones and subtle spice. The Ghost pairs a Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper with sweet, earthy notes, cocoa and cinnamon. The Cellar Reserve 15 Year uses aged Dominican tobacco and is described as medium to full and complex. The Heritage Maduro is earthy with cocoa and espresso, and the Grand Reserve is cognac-infused. These are typical notes, and individual cigars can vary.
Where can I buy Gurkha cigars online?
Oxford Cigar Company lists Gurkha Cigars on its category page when in stock: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/gurkha-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.