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
Good read and pretty cool you’re parting ways with a cool package.
I look forward to trying each of these! I’m a huge Gurkha fan!
Awsome package. love to have this added to my humidor.
Gurkha has always been my favorite cigar maker! I even ha them shipped to Iraq.
Great contest–thanks for the opportunity. Gurkha has really stepped it up a notch, in re: their outreach to consumers/fans. I still love the Centurian and the old Gurkha Shaggy maduro.
Nothing beats a Ghurka!…this is a spectacular offer
Sir,
You can always donate cigars to the soldiers of Sabalu-Harrison/DFIP in Bagram??
The work that Gurhka does for soldiers is unequaled. I, as a vet, cannot tell how how much I appreciate what is done for, my brothers and sisters in uniform. God bless…we will never forget.
First time reader, really enjoyed the reviews and couldn’t agree more with the Rogue. Look forward to more and boy would that package be nice.
The Warlord is my favorite from Gurkha you should give it a shot
Very nice review!! Makes it easy to envision the experience so you know which way to lean when you are selecting your smoke. Thank you
After serving 15 years in the Army and being medically retired , Gurkha continues to put a smile on my face.
Never seen one of these cigar rolls. Looks great and love the various types of cigars ghurka makes
Thats an awesome looking set
Cool blog, looking forward to reading more and of course, hoping to win 🙂
I most certainly wouldnt mind a set of cigars like that!
Very generous of you, thank you
Those look amazing. You have a great read. I would smoke the assassin while I was in the navy on the bridge of the USS WYOMING SSBN 742 BLUE. There is nothing better than having a good smoke while on the surface at sunset or sunrise.
Oh sweet, sweet Gurkhas. I probably wont win you, but allow me to sing your praises.
Very nice giveaway!
Nice review and collection of sticks sir. Would be awesome to win!
Cigar smoking on a budget is tough.. Would love to add these to my near empty humidor.
Your generosity is second to none sir
FANFU@#INGTASTIC GIVEAWAY !
Been a Gurkha fan since around 1998 when my cigar friends wouldn’t touch them because they didn’t know anything about them, even though I raved about ’em. My how times changed. (___G______]]]]]]~~~ Long ashes!
Great line up!
I’m hoping to have the privilege of smoking these fine sticks. From one true Gurkha fan to another. As I’m typing these with my right hand, a Red Witch in the other.
These are the tools of a true master stogie tradesman, Gurkha enables the aficionado!
very cool cigar roll
I have never seen a cigar holder sweeter than that!!! Seriously
I would definitely say the number of cigars Gurkha produces can be a little overwhelming. I’d like to try more of their stuff, but just no way to keep up with all of them. I’ve enjoyed most every one I have tried, though, and I look forward to trying that Cellar Maduro.
Discovered Gurkha cigars few years ago, now they are a daily smoke. Started today of with Gurkha Black Dragon salmon, now finishing the night of with my favorite Crest salmon maduro love this stick!
Im a big fan of the gurkha beast
What a great contest. Would love to try some great Gurkha cigars!
So many lines and extensions, had to know what is good and bad. Thanks Craig, will be sure to try these out.
Hey Craig — I think it’s awesome that you keep this blog going and love the occasional contests. Maybe this’ll be my lucky one! 🙂
very cool, and thanks for the contest
I am in the army and have took and had gurkha sent to. It is just great to have. To be able to kick back at the end of a long day and have one. Thanks Gurkha
I would love to try those cigars. I recently enjoyed a Gurkha ghost…….loved it. Looking forward to a ninja
Absolutely the Rolls Royce of cigars. Great blog. Keep up the great insight. Thanks for the opportunity.
Great article. Always have loved the gurhka brand. Would love to be chosen for a sweet package.
Thanks for the contest! They will def be shared if won. #GurkhaNation
Adding the site to my favorites if it’s not on there already. Hope you all have a good one!
Thanks for the chance to win. Gurkha has not only some of the best cigars but hands down, they have the greatest packaging. You should take a survey to see if a viable market exists for your chests, casks, and ornamental boxes as accessories, I guard my chests from my kids and wife they all have plans for them.
I would love this prize, it has all my favorite gurkhas. This would go great with my just purchased Crown Royal Reserve. Nothing better some Crown and a Gurkha to finish a hard day at the fire department and the emergency department.
Capt. Ryan Jager
Gurkha has been my favorite cigar for years and, as I learn more about the company, even more so. They are a great brand and a great group of people.
Cheers!
I hope I win the Gurkha contest. My favorite at this time is the Gurkha Ghost.
I always have that problem with Gurkhas I don’t know why they make their wrappers so hard to remove other then that I love them. I was also interested in hearing about their east Indian line its hard to find a good cigar in that price range.
Cellar reserve to me is they type of cigar that reminds me of visiting an old friend that I haven’t seen in a while. When you smoke it, takes you back.
Haven’t had the pleasure in awhile…looking forward to it
sammy…
Hi, Cigar Craig just want to say I like Gurkha products and that its very nice of you to do this thank you much for the oppertunity
Love this! I’d enter any contest if I have a chance to win some Gurkhas! Cellar Reserve is one of my favorites, no doubt!
I love Gurkha and I have not bought or tried any new releases in the last two years. Actually haven’t made any cigar purchases in 2 years. Life has kept me busy. That and 5 kids. Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
That is a very enticing selection of Gurkhas!!
i’ll gladly take those Gurkha cigars off your hands! how about some contest love for a canadian BOTL?
Nice article. I look forward to trying these, I wasn’t a cigar smoker until I tried gurkha..
I have to get my Gurkhas sent from the USA as I can’t find a uk based supplier. So winning these would be a huge bonus
Very nice,would love to win…. been thinking about taking up cigar puffing again…this would be a good starter.
The prize looks great. The reviews are spot on
Agreed with previous post, your blog is an excellent read, and your generosity is most appreciated I look forward to many more fine articles, as well as hopefully more opportunities to participate in such awesome giveaways as this one thanks and keep up the good work
Oh Wow! Here in the UK it is difficult to source Gurkha Cigars but I’ve been fortunate to try various vitolas and must say Gurkha are currently my favourite line of cigars. Thank you.
I remember the first cigar I ever had, a Wicked Indie by East India Trading Co. From choosing that one in particular out of the hundreds in the humidor, to the Gurkha Beauty I smoked just this afternoon I have yet to be disappointed by a sick produced by K.Hansotia. Being in Korea for the next few years decent quality cigars are a bit hard to come by and anything would be appreciated especially some fine Gurkha specimens such as the ones you’re allowing one lucky reader to take home. Well regardless of winning or not you’ve definitely gained another consistent reader on your blog thanks for all the cigar reviews and best of luck with all your endeavors!
I saw a link to your blog from Gurka’s FB page. Great write-up! I have bookmarked your site and look forward to reading more!
I haven’t tried any of the East India offerings yet but my current favorite, despite it’s rating, is the Evil XO.
“The Best Jerry, The Best,” never smoked a bad Ghurka!
New to your site but love the reviews. Keep it up!!! #Gurkhaforlife!
In it to win it!
Great blog. Thanks for the reviews. Very unique contest prize.
Good Blog.
Not only would I luv to win those cigars, I would really luv to smoke them. I have tried the Ruthless and like it, as I do most of the Gurka cigars.
Hokey Smokes! What a great giveaway. Wait, I didn’t mean hokey smokes to sound bad, that was a Rocket J. Squirrel quote!
Cool package with great cigars!
Gurkha Gurkha Gurkha!
lol
a Gurkha gift pack like that one makes Christmas shopping hard for the wife – can’t top this!
Craig…nice sacks….lets see..sample 1/2 …donate the rest to Cigars For Warriors….that would be my overall enjoyment…..
This is a nice package.
I also have trouble getting the bands off of Gurkhas. But small price to pay for great cigars. Cheers.
That leatherette is really interesting. How well does it hold humidity?
Thanks for hosting a contest Craig!
Gurkha dedication is sitting outside in my 30 degree garage (northern indiana) enoying a Cellar Reserve. It’s damn cold and rainy but i’m enjoying it! Thanks for the chance to win! I think my hands are numb!
It’s never boring when you smoke a Gurkha! I even have two Grand Reserves that I have set aside with a bottle of Scotch for a special occasion! it would be great to win something new to smoke.
Sweet case! Saw those before, thought they may actually be useful. Maybe ill find out. Had a cellar reserve last night in fact
Great stuff. Gurkha is my favorite.
I would love to win. Can’t find gurkha’s in Cincinnati!
I’m a SWAT team leader and before every raid I smoke a Gurhka 1887 black lable, I would love to try these out and I might share a couple with my team members… Nah I’ll let them stand next to me
Love Cellar Reserve and Ghost! Keep em coming!
Nice article. I will definitely have to come back to check out your new articles. I’ve enjoyed a few Ghurkas and am looking forward to my next one. Have a great day and very nice of you to pass your giveaway to someone else.
Sounds like some really great cigars, Gurhka has always put out great cigars at fair prices
That is a awesome Selection Gurkha Cigars in those wraps. A true smokers dream. Nice variety from mild to full. That’s something that would make my smoking day. I love everything Gurkha…….
Nice review. Going to try the Cellar Reserve Maduro based on your recommendation!
Gurkha
All of the above…
Sir, I recently began paying much more attention to cigars during my most recent deployment. It gave me much needed time to contemplate and decompress whilst jotting down notes on what I did or did not enjoy about the cigar. Needless to say, it was a hell of a pastime. My father, a much more seasoned aficionado of cigars kept me pretty well stocked and I saved some Gurkhas to smoke with him when I got home. It has become a tradition of ours to enjoy some sticks on the deck when I am home and catch up. If i were selected for the prize, I would love to make this a great gift for my dad this Christmas and if I am not, than you have a reader who just discovered your page and enjoys reading your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Jake H
This is certainly the 2nd blog, of your website I really read.
But yet I really love this specific one, “Gurkha Cellar Reserve, East India Trading Co.
and a Contest! | CigarCraig’s Blog” the best. Thanks ,Oliver
Love to win it, me and my friends enjoy a good Gurkha smoke whenever possible and I can see their eyes pop out seeing me opening the leatherette!
Great stuff.keep it coming.