My first Gurkha

y2pascoe

So I hit up my cigar lounge on the way home from getting my car serviced and had myself an Oliva Master Blends III that had gotten in a sampler I bought in January. Very sweet and tasty cigar which I rather enjoyed. I have another in my humidor which I now know I will save for a while. He closes shop at 7 on weekdays so when I got home I was still in a smoking mood. So between a DPG blue lable (which I love), and a Gurkha Centurian (which I have yet to smoke) I went with the Centurian. Mind you, the Centurian was part of the same sampler I got the OMB III in, and I read so much about the almighty Gurkha on this forum I really wanted to try it. Quite a disappointment. First off all, it had construction problems the entire smoke. The wrapper started peeling off of this thing the moment I unrapped it. The more of it I smoked, the worse it got. And when I peeled the band off of it, forget about it. I'm really stumped about the wrapper issue, because I got my humi always between 65% and 70% RH and I don't have any issues with my other sticks. The strength I felt was typical for a medium bodied cigar. As for the flavor...it was enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. Nothing really jumped out at me, though. In my short tenure with this wonderful hobby, I've smoked cigars at a third of the price with hearty flavors that have really wowed me. This didn't wow me . Perhaps I set the bar too hight. Higher than the Sultan of Brunei I guess. I would appreciate any input on this cigar. I have another one left in my humi, but I'm not so sure now if it won't just be a give-away.

bigharpoon

I've smoked several Centurians and have been less than wowed myself. I got them as a package deal and I really wanted to try them and, like you, was pretty disappointed. Lots of people chimed in and told me how much they love them, blah blah. I ended up giving them out to others who clearly like them, and they were psyched! Good for them, but I don't get it, I thought the flavor was boring, one dimensional, the body thin and the draw tight to impossible.

jfaciane

Same here bro. I had my first Gurkha too the other day, a Ruination, and I wasn't impressed either. After hearing so much about it I was expecting a lot more and it definitely didn't live up to the hype or the price. Thankfully I didn't pay full price for it, I got it in a sampler too. Now I had a $3.85 Padron today and it was by far the best cigar I've had yet. I will definitely make this cigar my first box purchase, very flavorful, burned beautifully and just a great relaxing smoke all the way through.

rzaman

Gurkha overall a over hyped brand-my personal opinion. At the same time I also respect others opinion who likes it. Cigar taste is always individual. Here is my personal observation about Gurkha: Many of their cigar wrapper come off during unwrap, also during take off the band. I like Crest and Beauty. Other than that so far tried over 10 different Gurkha but will never buy them. Right now I am smoking a Gurkha grand reserve-well, it is a mild, smooth. So far not bad. Another thing I do not like about Gurkha is- they push their selling too hard. More or less every on-line vendor offer special X,Y,Z deals. I wonder why they push too hard. No doubt they offer great deal to the cigar vendors so they also promote Gurkha. Aggressive marketing a strategy but years after years is annoying. Many cigars retail price is $12,15,30 even $750 but you can always buy cheaper with some sort of deal. What is the actual price then? There are actually few cigars in the market which can ask for $15 if you think about the actual value. When I see the cigar production, business cost in Nicaragua, I ask myself why some cigars cost so high. However, even Arturo Fuente, Padron cigars are over priced. In that sense AJ Fernandez offer better price and value. However, I am not sure how long it will last. Anyway, overall Gurkha is not my favorite brand in terms of the price and value. I am willing to pay hefty price if a cigar maker can offer value like Stradivarius or Partagas Decade reserve.

y2pascoe

Ironic, in the description of the perfecto shape: "This requirement means that you can expect flawless construction, appearance, and taste from this cigar." Nah. That didn't happen. Obviously I didn't pay MSRP for that cigar, but for a stick that holds a $20 price tag, I expected more. Don't want to give up on the brand though based on one cigar. I would definitely like to try others. Any suggestions?

wwhwang

jfaciane:

Same here bro. I had my first Gurkha too the other day, a Ruination, and I wasn't impressed either. After hearing so much about it I was expecting a lot more and it definitely didn't live up to the hype or the price. Thankfully I didn't pay full price for it, I got it in a sampler too. Now I had a $3.85 Padron today and it was by far the best cigar I've had yet. I will definitely make this cigar my first box purchase, very flavorful, burned beautifully and just a great relaxing smoke all the way through.

...What? The Ruination isn't a Gurkha. It's a Man O' War.

rzaman

Y2pascoe, try Beauty and Crest. Of course with special price LOL

y2pascoe

Speaking of Ruination, didn't Alex say that MOW sampler with the 3 Propers, 3 Virtues, 3 Ruinations, and the Armada was going to be available this week. After smoking the Virtue I really want to get my hands on the other blends and try them out. Definitely want to grab that sampler!

kaelaria

To me the brand is way over priced, way over hyped and you pay for the boxes more than the cigars.

kuzi16

stephen_hannibal

jfaciane

wwhwang:

jfaciane:

Same here bro. I had my first Gurkha too the other day, a Ruination, and I wasn't impressed either. After hearing so much about it I was expecting a lot more and it definitely didn't live up to the hype or the price. Thankfully I didn't pay full price for it, I got it in a sampler too. Now I had a $3.85 Padron today and it was by far the best cigar I've had yet. I will definitely make this cigar my first box purchase, very flavorful, burned beautifully and just a great relaxing smoke all the way through.

...What? The Ruination isn't a Gurkha. It's a Man O' War.

Lol!! Oh man what was I thinking! I think I was still tripping from that Padron I smoked earlier with my whiskey. My bad, still, I didn't care for the MOW Ruination. Still learning my man, I didn't have the cigar in front of me and I forgot who made it. So I retract my statement, I haven't had a Gurkha yet.

AJGARLETT

I cant speak much to your experience with the flavor profile as everyone's palette is different (in both preference and refinement) however I will say that the Centurian is a staple in my humi and I've never had a single one with construction issues. With all that being said, you have a pm

Vulchor

Centurian I think is great, I also think the Viper is pretty good. HOWEVER, I have smoked probably a doxzen other Gurkhas and havent found one of them worth the price of the gas to get the to B & M. They are truly a love or hate brand I think as some people think its the most diverse and flavorful brand going-----but those of us with sense

alienmisprint

Joeyjoe21_8

the titan is badass...but the TITAN II was so much frakin better! lol....too bad they dont make these anymore cuz ive been hunting for them...if i ever find them again i may just buy a few boxes and let them sit! lol

docbp87

See, the Centurian is the one Gurkha I would ever choose to smoke... but even then it is ridiculously over priced, and never burns well. Flavor wise it's good (and by that I mean it doesn't taste like wet dirt, like most Gurkha cigars). All of that said, I have pretty strongly negative feelings towards Gurkha. Their entire operation goes pretty squarely against how I would ideally want the industry to work.

MTuccelli

I haven't smoked a Centurian yet but I do love those Regents and Symphony #4

The Sniper

wwhwang

boydmcgowan

alienmisprint

MTuccelli:

I haven't smoked a Centurian yet but I do love those Regents and Symphony #4

Add Symphonies to my list as well, forgot about those.

MTuccelli

alienmisprint:

MTuccelli:

I haven't smoked a Centurian yet but I do love those Regents and Symphony #4

Add Symphonies to my list as well, forgot about those.

I forgot to mention the Sherpa Cafe is on my list of Gurkha favorites too

Ken Light

kaspera79

My favorite Gurkhas would be Symphony ( for sure) Legend, Ancient Warrior, Centurian. and oddly enough I like(d) the sherpa. Blue Steel was pretty good too as I remember.

The Sniper