Feature Story: Spotlight on Gurkha Cigars at the 2018 IPCPR

Each year one thing you can count on Gurkha to deliver a nice array of products at IPCPR for its retail customers – and 2018 was no exception. Gurkha is a company that is sitting on a large number of predicate blends, and last year the company tapped into that vault. The end result was that Gurkha reported record sales at the show. This year the company once again tapped into that arsenal – and there was plenty of activity at its booth again.

For 2018, Gurkha used these predicate blends to a strategic advantage. It was able to fill some gaps and expand one of its most popular lines.

First up is the Marquesa. If there is one cigar profile that was missing from the Gurkha portfolio, it was one with a vintage Cuban profile. Marquesa is intended to fill that void. It’s a blend remastered from a predicate (FDA grandfathered) blend that Gurkha had.

Gurkha Marquesa features a Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder. The fillers are Nicaraguan tobaccos from the Estelí and Ometepe regions. Marquesa will be available in three sizes – in both a rounded and box-pressed format: Robusto (5 x 52), Belicoso (5 1/4 x 54), and Toro (6 x 54). Each size is presented in 20-count boxes – containing ten rounded and ten box-pressed cigars

Six years ago, Gurkha introduced the Gurkha Ghost. It’s a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapped cigar that became one of the most successful offerings in the Gurkha portfolio. This year saw a new blend introduced under the Ghost brand, the Gurkha Ghost Gold. This is another cigar remastered from one of Gurkha’s predicate blends.

The cigar adds a Habano offering under the Ghost line. The blend consists of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper complemented by a Criollo ’98 binder and a combination of U.S., Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is available in three sizes: Shadow (5 x 52), Asura (6 x 54), and Exorcist (6 x 60). Each size is presented in 21-count boxes.

Gurkha has a new smaller batch offering known as Chateau de Prive. This is a cigar also intended to provide a milder and creamier smoke into the Gurkha portfolio. This cigar was also remastered from a predicate blend.

The Chateau de Prive blend is highlighted by Ecuadorian Desflorado wrapper over a Dominican Olor binder, and all-Dominican fillers. The cigars are available in three sizes: Bishop (5 x 50), Rook (6 x 45), and King of Warriors (6 1/2 x 52). Each size is packaged in 20-count boxes with exquisite packaging.

One weakness in the company’s portfolio it was able to strengthen was in the area of flavored cigars. This year Gurkha reached out into the past to bring back three flavored cigar lines.

The three lines returning are: Red Head, a cigar featuring hints of cherry; White Rascal, that offers hints of vanilla; and Café Tabac, which features hints of coffee. Each of the three offerings will be available in two sizes – a 5 x 52 Robusto and a 4 x 34 petit panatela. The 5 x 52 will be offered in 25-count while the 4 x 34 will be offered in 5-count tins.

Finally Gurkha announced prior to IPCPR, the Cellar Reserve 10th Anniversary cigar which was introduced at the 2017 trade show will move to regular production. Last year the cigar was offered in 50-count humidors. This year it will be offered in 24-count boxes.

The Gurkha Cellar Reserve 10th Anniversary features an Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper over Dominican Olor binder and Dominican filler. It will still be available in a single size – a 6 x 52 Toro.