Gurkha Hate

[Malazan]

Being a noob, I was wondering why all the hate towards Gurkha. The only one I have ever smoked was a G3, and G5. The G3 I liked, the G5 liked to have killed me:gary

[Ogre]

I can't say I "Hate" them. It's just a line that doesn't agree with my taste buds.

[44stampede]

Smoke a few more. It'll become more evident. That's how I found out not too long ago. They gave me a cigar hangover, dragon breath and I didn't enjoy 4/5 of the ones I did smoke (the other is just okay).
I do hear there are a couple good sticks here and there.

[Emjaysmash]

I don't hate gurkha. I will smoke them once in a blue moon. They just don't float my boat.

[emopunker2004]

One reason is because of the supposed MSRP they set on them is outrageous.

[Malazan]

Yeah, I see they actually have cigars that go for 750.00, and 1150.00 apiece :O

His Majesty's Reserve

1st Production Black Dragon

[oooo35980]

Worth every penny I'm sure...

[Jbailey]

Worth every penny I'm sure...

Worth maybe a penny.

[44stampede]

Worth every penny I'm sure...
I was going to say that was a good deal.

Seriously though the guys/gals doing the marketing must be very good. Not sure how else you can consistently put out an inferior product and make money. There must be a good market for the taste challenged.

[PuffPuffGive1]

I've only smoked the Grand Reserve and thought it was plain and bland. I find it unflattering that they're constantly coming out with new lines to further add to the 20+ lines they have now. Kind of defeats the exclusivity of their brand and quality imo.

[Mattso3000]

Slipped a good one in at the B&M today...one of the other regulars was extolling the virtue of the Gurkha. I told him I'd never met a Gurkha I didn't not like...

[gnbikes]

I used to enjoy the original Legends and Centurian XX. Unfortunately the current versions of these cigars are not even close to the originals. The newer blends do nothing for me.
Garry

[icehog3]

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/SHIVGurkha.jpg

[Hem]

^ LoL

[Remo]

Don't hate em, just don't like them, although I have only smoked half of one it was enough to turn me off.

[Hem]

I found one of them pretty good so far? I smoked a Titan that I really enjoyed...idk..I guess the more I smoke the more my palet will change.

[Remo]

I found one of them pretty good so far? I smoked a Titan that I really enjoyed...idk..I guess the more I smoke the more my palet will change.

Smoke what ya like :tu

[Reaver2145]

Ive had a few of there sticks now and ive goto say the construction for me has been crap 90% of the time with draws that range from loose to plugged the wrappers are way to thin too and tend to explode about half way down and to top it off im normally sending out a search party for flavour.

They are also expensive to boot.

[irratebass]

I don't hate them, but I haven't tried a lot of them either, I've had maybe 3 and out of the 3 I have liked 1.

[maninblack]

I freaking love them!! They rank right up there with Cremosa's in my book! Can't get enough of their blends. All 487 of them.

[MrClean]

I freaking love them!! They rank right up there with Cremosa's in my book! Can't get enough of their blends. All 487 of them.

:r

I have my first one in my cooler, still can't bring myself to smoke it.......... I might like it. :sw

[Blak Smyth]

Gurkha is a brand that focuses way to much on packaging and visual stimuli and not enough on taste. From their artfull designed treasure chest boxes and their extravagant bands to their rediculous MSRP. They are not all terrible but I have never had a good one. I will never spend my good hard earned money, knowingly, to support a cigar company that is founded on looks and appearance over quality and flavors. Gurkha is a fraudulent product as far as I am concerned. You strip away the glitzy boxes and bands and you are left with a good looking dollar stick from CI.

[kelmac07]

While I have had plenty of Gurkhas that were horrible, I do enjoy the Doble Maduro...shame they discontinued them. Grabbed a few 5ers to save for a rainy day.

Got to PPP a His Majesty's Reserve (compliments of EricF) at Doms herf last summer and let's just say that if I had paid $ 750 for that stick...I would have been extremely upset. It was garbage.

[sevans105]

When I first started in Cigar World, I remember judging a lot of the "quality" of a stick based on two factors 1. Quality of the band...a good cigar should have a good band right? 2. Cigar catalog MSRP. and what a great deal I was getting. I remember saying to Dani, "I saved $250 on this package!"

Gurkhas aren't BAD in my opinion, I actually kinda like the Black Puros, but I don't buy them any more. I grew out of my cigar ADD "oooooh shiny!" And recognized the marketing strategies of Gurkha.

Now, Tatuaje, they still get me on occasion. Stupid limited releases. At least they are tasty.

[Reaver2145]

Isnt the Black Dragon even more expensive than the HMR i remember reading somewhere they where charging something like $1500 each.

[Blak Smyth]

Got to PPP a His Majesty's Reserve (compliments of EricF) at Doms herf last summer and let's just say that if I had paid $ 750 for that stick...I would have been extremely upset. It was garbage.

I was there as well and when it was passed back around nobody really wanted to try again. I think Big Ash and Tbone ended up smoking by themselves if my memory is correct. It was nice to try, if Gurkha can't even make a good $750.00 stick...

[kelmac07]

Isnt the Black Dragon even more expensive than the HMR i remember reading somewhere they where charging something like $1500 each.

At one point Simon...The Black Dragon story began in 2006 when it hit the market with the hefty price tag of $1,150.00 per cigar, the most expensive cigar ever made. Only 5 hand-carved camel bone boxes of 100 cigars were produced, making this stick very, very limited. Must have been paying for that hand-carved camel bone, because today the Black Dragon can be had (depending on vitola) for between $ 7.50 (robusto) to $ 17.50 (tubo).

[Blak Smyth]

At one point Simon...The Black Dragon story began in 2006 when it hit the market with the hefty price tag of $1,150.00 per cigar, the most expensive cigar ever made. Only 5 hand-carved camel bone boxes of 100 cigars were produced, making this stick very, very limited.. Now the Black Dragon can be had (depending on vitola) for between $ 7.50 (robusto) to $ 17.50 (tubo).

Bahahaha perfect example of Gurkhatronics at work! -(P

[Reaver2145]

At one point Simon...The Black Dragon story began in 2006 when it hit the market with the hefty price tag of $1,150.00 per cigar, the most expensive cigar ever made. Only 5 hand-carved camel bone boxes of 100 cigars were produced, making this stick very, very limited. Must have been paying for that hand-carved camel bone, because today the Black Dragon can be had (depending on vitola) for between $ 7.50 (robusto) to $ 17.50 (tubo).

See i would understand the cubans doing this as its the communists winning over us capitalist pigs once again but really charging that much for some camel bone box is something cohiba wouldn't even do and they come up with some overpriced crap most of the time COUGH LANCEROS COUGH

[Islayphile]

The only Gurkha's I've had that were decent were the cheap ones...

Doble Maduro and Grand Age

I haven't smoked either one of those in years, so please don't take that as any king of endorsement whatsoever.

[oldforge]

The Centurian is the only cigar I have ever had that tasted like soap--yes, soap.
The Legends are Ok yard gars when the wrappers don't explode.

But it has been more than five years since I actually bought one.

[hammondc]

for $2 they are not bad. For $10+ they are some of the worst out there.

[JenksAnejo]

ick!

[Islayphile]

Friends don't let friends smoke Gurkha

[dave]

Gurkha hate is a somewhat silly phenomenom if you ask me. So much of what bothers people about Gurkha has little to do with the flavor and construction of the cigars.
Many Gurkhas have unreasonably high MSRP's -- So do CAO's, RP's, many others. Just because a Titan has an MSRP of $20 bucks doesn't mean anything to me if I can get them for $3. Gurkha puts out time, money, effort into some incredible packaging. Doesn't do much for me, but I've seen empty Gurkha boxes sold for quite a bit of scratch, so somebody likes them. Gurkha contracts out their manufacturing, but so do many, many other cigar companies. Gurkha puts out a LOT of different cigars - so do Pete, Pepin, Padilla...... Perhaps a little more identification and/or differentiation on the bands would help, but again - so what. Lots of stories about exploding Gurkhas out there. I've had some issues in the past, but I don't write off the whole line. I will avoid the Fuertes or whatever they were called, but by and large, I haven't had a lot of construction problems.
I'd bet that many Gurkha haters got sucked into ad copy by some of the large internet retailers promising incredible smokes at 50% of MSRP. I did. Had some pretty crappy Gurkhas over the years. But there are good ones, too. If anything, all the hate allows me to grab pretty good cigars on the cheap at cigarbid.

I think that if most haters came across any of these in a blind taste test, they'd be pleasantly surprised:

Black Dragon
Nepalese Warrior
Ancient Warrior (Purple Band)
Micro Batch TPB-1 - Corojo Box-press Lancero
G5 Avenger
Master Select

[smitty81]

I have never had a Gurkha.

I've been intrigued but never bought one.
^^^^
True Story.

[Stephen]

I find it unflattering that they're constantly coming out with new lines to further add to the 20+ lines they have now. Kind of defeats the exclusivity of their brand and quality imo.
We're talking about Gurkha, not Tatuaje...

[Islayphile]

I have never had a Gurkha.

I've been intrigued but never bought one.
^^^^
True Story.

Consider yourself to be a "puro"

;)

[shilala]

Smoke what you like, Dave. :tu

Personally, I've found that Gurkha just simply does not worry about their blends. There's just simply nothing there, they're in the business of glamour-saling inferior cigars. I don't smoke them simply because I find them lousy at any price point and don't care to support their business model.
Mac mentioned the Doble Maduro, I can remember the Nepalese Warrior having a little spice about it, but that was long ago. Everything else I tried was bland or just plain disgusting.
So I just smoke what I like.

OP, We rag on Gurkha because it's fun. It's well-founded and most everyone here has had a run-in with Gurkha that didn't go so well. It's fun to share the pain. :lr

[icehog3]

At one point Simon...The Black Dragon story began in 2006 when it hit the market with the hefty price tag of $1,150.00 per cigar, the most expensive cigar ever made. Only 5 hand-carved camel bone boxes of 100 cigars were produced, making this stick very, very limited. Must have been paying for that hand-carved camel bone, because today the Black Dragon can be had (depending on vitola) for between $ 7.50 (robusto) to $ 17.50 (tubo).


MMMMM......Camel bone. :dr

Gurkha hate is a somewhat silly phenomenom if you ask me. So much of what bothers people about Gurkha has little to do with the flavor... of the cigars.


And for some it is that flavor, a mix of dirt, and, well.....more dirt
. ;) :lr
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/SHIVGurkha.jpg

[Stephen]

I have some Titans that I keep on hand that I smoke during softball practice. It's a pretty boring, one-dimensional smoke, but it's constructed decent and lasts the entire time, so it serves its purpose. Haven't smoked any other Gurkha's I've particularly cared for, however.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Puff Puff Puke, Tom:r

[Blak Smyth]

Smoke what you like, Dave. :tu

Personally, I've found that Gurkha just simply does not worry about their blends. There's just simply nothing there, they're in the business of glamour-saling inferior cigars. I don't smoke them simply because I find them lousy at any price point and don't care to support their business model.
Mac mentioned the Doble Maduro, I can remember the Nepalese Warrior having a little spice about it, but that was long ago. Everything else I tried was bland or just plain disgusting.
So I just smoke what I like.

OP, We rag on Gurkha because it's fun. It's well-founded and most everyone here has had a run-in with Gurkha that didn't go so well. It's fun to share the pain. :lr

I agree with everything you said!

I will be honest, I think I have only had 5-6 Gurkhas but they where bad enough for me to write off the line when combined with their business model. I have an ancient warrior in my humi that I will someday get up the courage to try, it is gorgeous looking. I don't think you can compare Gurkha to Pepin or Tatuaje, as I feel almost everything they make is great. Some people say Gurkha makes a few okay sticks, but out of the 75 that suck it isn't worth looking for the needle in the Gurkha hay stack. I love to hear that somebody likes a Gurkha though, it means they will get great deals on Cbid. Gurkha is the poster boy brand of how not to be a trustworthy "Premium" cigar producer that seems to make the majority of their sales to the new smoker who is captivated by the pretty glitter.

I was told by a B&M owner that Gurkha charges them extra for a box and requires them to sell the empty box to customers to get their money back.

[mmblz]

The Gurkha Hate?
Is that their newest $60 per cigar offering?

:r

[icehog3]

Puff Puff Puke, Tom:r

No pukin' Nate, just a good chug of Gurkha antidote. :lr



http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/pnoon1.jpg

[Blak Smyth]

The Gurkha Hate?
Is that their newest $60 per cigar offering?

:r

It was $60 but now you can find them for $1.25

[Reaver2145]

I agree with everything you said!

I will be honest, I think I have only had 5-6 Gurkhas but they where bad enough for me to write off the line when combined with their business model. I have an ancient warrior in my humi that I will someday get up the courage to try, it is gorgeous looking. I don't think you can compare Gurkha to Pepin or Tatuaje, as I feel almost everything they make is great. Some people say Gurkha makes a few okay sticks, but out of the 75 that suck it isn't worth looking for the needle in the Gurkha hay stack. I love to hear that somebody likes a Gurkha though, it means they will get great deals on Cbid. Gurkha is the poster boy brand of how not to be a trustworthy "Premium" cigar producer that seems to make the majority of their sales to the new smoker who is captivated by the pretty glitter.

I was told by a B&M owner that Gurkha charges them extra for a box and requires them to sell the empty box to customers to get their money back.

Thinking about it now i have found one good demi-gurkha smoke being the park avenue 44 its a decent mild stick thats what $2-2.50 i think.

While it dosnt carry the gurkha brand lable i think its made by the same people who make gurkhas.

[JenksAnejo]

And for some it is that flavor, a mix of dirt, and, well.....more dirt


I agree with Icehog, the hatred I have for Gurkha's is 100% the flavor of the smoke. I don't care what the cigar looks like; the cigar must taste good for me to be able to smoke it.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

No pukin' Nate, just a good chug of Gurkha antidote. :lr



http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/pnoon1.jpg

:r:r:r

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/pnoon1.jpg

It looks like Peter is offering you a NUB to help with the Gurkha pain:r

[NCRadioMan]

You wanna know why? You really wanna know why I hate Gurkha so much?

Ok.

Gurkha destroyed my life. My family's life and is even responsible for my home being torn down! Plus, they are on the path to world domination!


I HATE GURKHA SO MUCH! :su

[Stephen]

No pukin' Nate, just a good chug of Gurkha antidote. :lr



http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/pnoon1.jpg
Ok, I have to ask...Who's the guy that looks like he owns a cargo van, and is just itching for the opportunity to, "show you something..."?

No disrespect, but my word that's a creepy look on their face.:r

[lenguamor]

I dislike Gurkha cigars because they taste bad.

I despise Gurkha's business model of "style over substance" and I'm appalled that, in a world where there are few remaining locally-owned hardware stores because people prefer to shop in Home Depots, people are choosing Gurkhas over better cigars.

Smoke what you like, blah blah blah...but if it's a Gurkha, you're doing it wrong.

[lenguamor]

Ok, I have to ask...Who's the guy that looks like he owns a cargo van, and is just itching for the opportunity to, "show you something..."?

No disrespect, but my word that's a creepy look on their face.:r

Peter's van:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/dirtyrottenbastard27/Free-Candy-Van.jpg

[Stephen]

Peter's van:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p225/dirtyrottenbastard27/Free-Candy-Van.jpg
It's not Peter; it's the gentleman standing to the left of Peter, longingly looking upon the hog, with this no doubt going through his mind...
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/291067/291067,1291513784,2/stock-photo-pig-roasted-on-a-spit-66532477.jpg

[icehog3]

It looks like Peter is offering you a NUB to help with the Gurkha pain:r

Nope...believe that is a glass-top Cohibo.

Ok, I have to ask...Who's the guy that looks like he owns a cargo van, and is just itching for the opportunity to, "show you something..."?

No disrespect, but my word that's a creepy look on their face.:r

That is Stewart (tech-ninja)...and he always looks at me with love in his eyes. :r

[Zanaspus]

I've actually tried about 20 Ghurkas to try to be fair to the brand. 18 of them were just plain bad. 1 was pretty good, and the Black Dragon Robusto could hold its own with any boutique cigar IMHO. To further add to the annoyance factor, the have 75 different cigars at any point in time. Chances are, if you find one you like, it'll be gone before you know it.

Rocky Patel (lots of crap to work through) and Viaje (I don't have the energy to get one of the 3 boxes for each release) annoy me almost as much.

[jjirons69]

Ok, I have to ask...Who's the guy that looks like he owns a cargo van, and is just itching for the opportunity to, "show you something..."?

No disrespect, but my word that's a creepy look on their face.:r

That's one of the nicest, most giving brothers I've come across with my cigar adventures. He's a blast to be around. Granted he looks a lot better with hair and without so much facial hair. That is a hilarious picture of Stew! He would certainly laugh at your comment - my thoughts are he was going for that look.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t178/jjirons69/PSHC%20Lake%20Herf%202011/P1040985.jpg

And...

My take on Gurkha. They seem to be really proud of something I can't figure out. Reminds me of a peacock with the showy varieties and proud pricing, but in the end, it's a useless bird not fit to eat. Hell, I don't even like the bands. Reminds me of Hitler too much.

[Volusianator]

What if it becomes "evident" that it's his favorite cigar of all time? Is he then wrong or possibly is it that he may have different tastes than you?

To the OP, don't worry about the hate on any cigar, you smoke it, if you like it, great, if not, great. One of the reasons that there is more than one cigar company and that these companies make more than one cigar is that people tastes change. Do I like Gurkhas, no, I don't, do I bash on them, no I don't, not do I bash Acids or any other sticks that most find unpleasant. My favorite cigar may be your worst, your favorite may be my worst, and we're both right. In the end, smoke what you like and don't give two shits about what anybody else says.



Smoke a few more. It'll become more evident.

[icehog3]

Smoke what you like, blah blah blah...but if it's a Gurkha, you're doing it wrong.

:lr :lr

That's (Stewart) one of the nicest, most giving brothers I've come across with my cigar adventures. He's a blast to be around. Granted he looks a lot better with hair and without so much facial hair. That is a hilarious picture of Stew! He would certainly laugh at your comment - my thoughts are he was going for that look.



Absolutely....made a friend for life within the first 5 minutes of the first time I met him, at MegaMoB I in Chicago.

[dwoodward]

I have smoked a lot of Gurkhas, some have been bad, some have been good. Personally overall I like most Gurkhas.

The Gurkha haters mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be bad sticks, the other majority don't like that Gurkha has like 500 different sticks and MSRP on them all is like 10 dollars a stick or higher, yet can be found anywhere for very cheap. It's all their marketing ploy, call their stick a 20 dollar stick and put it on "sale" somewhere for 3 dollars a stick and people jump without thinking. TBH, it's marketing genius in my eyes, but it puts a lot of people off too.

[44stampede]

What if it becomes "evident" that it's his favorite cigar of all time? Is he then wrong or possibly is it that he may have different tastes than you?

To the OP, don't worry about the hate on any cigar, you smoke it, if you like it, great, if not, great. One of the reasons that there is more than one cigar company and that these companies make more than one cigar is that people tastes change. Do I like Gurkhas, no, I don't, do I bash on them, no I don't, not do I bash Acids or any other sticks that most find unpleasant. My favorite cigar may be your worst, your favorite may be my worst, and we're both right. In the end, smoke what you like and don't give two shits about what anybody else says.
He posed the question, I answered. THought that was the purpose of the forum.

Because I say something doesn't make it "the final word". Just contributing my:2

[mmblz]

The Gurkha haters mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be bad sticks, the other majority don't like that Gurkha has like 500 different sticks and MSRP on them all is like 10 dollars a stick or higher, yet can be found anywhere for very cheap.

Unfortunately, I have had quite a few different Gurkhas.


btw, what is an "other majority" :r

[pnoon]

I have smoked a lot of Gurkhas, some have been bad, some have been good. Personally overall I like most Gurkhas.

The Gurkha haters mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be bad sticks, the other majority don't like that Gurkha has like 500 different sticks and MSRP on them all is like 10 dollars a stick or higher, yet can be found anywhere for very cheap. It's all their marketing ploy, call their stick a 20 dollar stick and put it on "sale" somewhere for 3 dollars a stick and people jump without thinking. TBH, it's marketing genius in my eyes, but it puts a lot of people off too.
Sorry. I call bull$hit.

[thecatch83]

They are mass produced goat turds! I would almost rather smoke an Acid.....almost!

[chippewastud79]

The Gurkha haters mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be bad sticks, the other majority don't like that Gurkha has like 500 different sticks and MSRP on them all is like 10 dollars a stick or higher, yet can be found anywhere for very cheap.

Or maybe Gurkha haters hate Gurkhas based on personal experiences of multiple sticks. But I am sure you know most people's experience with any given brand. :rolleyes:

[Hem]

I think we ALL have fallen to the hype at one point or another. I myself have about 12 sticks in my humi from my FIRST cigar purchase. I wanted the "Rolls Royce" of cigars to impress my buddies! I WILL smoke every last one of them..eventually.

[thecatch83]

I think we ALL have fallen to the hype at one point or another. I myself have about 12 sticks in my humi from my FIRST cigar purchase. I wanted the "Rolls Royce" of cigars to impress my buddies! I WILL smoke every last one of them..eventually.

Might as well go down with the ship :tu

Classic!!!

[REV]

ive had a few gurkhas in bundles and samplers. color me not impressed. id rather have an acid...

[dwoodward]

Sorry. I call bull$hit.

Just look thru all the gurkha threads. there are lots of members that claim to have had only 1 or 2 sticks, some only a few puffs.

I see your calling of bull$hit, and raise you.

[pnoon]

Just look thru all the gurkha threads. there are lots of members that claim to have had only 1 or 2 sticks, some only a few puffs.

I see your calling of bull$hit, and raise you.

Assuming that your statement can be substantiated, how do you get from "lots of members" to "mostly"? Pretty big jump if you ask me.

[jsnake]

You know what I hate? Padron. Seriously I hate them all. I might be a one man haters club since everyone see,s to love them.

Cigars are subjective to an individuals tastes. Judge for yourself. It is okay to look towards others for recommendation especially if you know someone likes the same things you do in a cigar.

People hate on Gurkha but I love them all and have a ton of them. My local B&M is always selling through their boxes so there must be a lot of closet Gurkha smokers out there.

Who cares though? Like what you like and if someone else doesn't like them maybe you can trade them for them.

[dwoodward]

Assuming that your statement can be substantiated, how do you get from "lots of members" to "mostly"? Pretty big jump if you ask me.

What is with you and taking similar words and trying to make them seem like they have completely different meanings. Lots of members and mostly? Who cares.

My comments still stand.

[pnoon]

What is with you and taking similar words and trying to make them seem like they have completely different meanings. Lots of members and mostly? Who cares.

My comments still stand.

My sincere apology.

I think people here who understand the English language see the difference in the meanings. Whether they care or not, I do not know.

I defer to your vast experience and knowledge.

[shilala]

I get that you don't like Padron, Jake. I love them, but I can't gag my way through a Tat.
I've tried dozens of Gurkhas, so I guess I don't fall in the lots or mostly bracket, and just find them useless. Devoid of flavor, personality, or a reason to smoke them.
I mentioned their business model earlier, but had stopped trying to find a "cheap gold nugget" or "cheap yardgar" among them long before they annoyed me. The cigars earned the annoyance.
If they're floating your boat, continue to enjoy them. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. I get ragged constantly about how picky I am about cigars I'll smoke. I like what I like, and I won't spend ten minutes on a cigar I don't enjoy. Life is too short to smoke sh1tty cigars, and I enjoy listening to my buds bag on me for being such a pain in the ass.:)

[icehog3]

Bah, 90% of statistics are wrong 83% of the time.

[REV]

Bah, 90% of statistics are wrong 83% of the time.

http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/e6/c0/abraham,lincoln,internet,lincoln,quote-e6c0071ad556f1c587cca3de8351d047_h.jpg

[thecatch83]

Bah, 90% of statistics are wrong 83% of the time.


http://www.myiconart.com/ekmps/shops/myiconart/images/anchorman-sex-panther-kids-t-shirt-61377-p.png

[Bad Finger]

At one point Simon...The Black Dragon story began in 2006 when it hit the market with the hefty price tag of $1,150.00 per cigar, the most expensive cigar ever made. Only 5 hand-carved camel bone boxes of 100 cigars were produced, making this stick very, very limited. Must have been paying for that hand-carved camel bone, because today the Black Dragon can be had (depending on vitola) for between $ 7.50 (robusto) to $ 17.50 (tubo).

But by creating 5 boxes that cost them a grand total of about $400, they got the entire cigar world to talk about them.

That's advertising you can't pay for.

[fencefixer]

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/246/0/e/hate_detected_by_fleet_feet-d48svsd.jpg



I don't hate Ghurka, much like, for example Harley Davidson. Most of it lies in marketing strategies. Hype the name to sell an "OK" product to people that don't know any better.


Would I pay $15000+ for a HD? Hell no. Bigger, better, cheaper out there.
Would I pay $3000 for a HD? Sure.

Would I pay $15+ for a Ghurka? Hell no. Bigger, better, cheaper out there.
Would I pay $3 for a Ghurka? Sure.

I tried "Cask Strength" and "Crest", liked them. They were okay.

You ride what you like, you smoke what you like, you do what you like! DC sends love, stop arguing bishes. :)

[Gophernut]

When I started smoking cigars again in earnest, I enjoyed the Gurkha Fuerte quite a bit. I haven't smoked too many other ones, but the ones I smoked weren't entirely memorable one way or the other. I was planning on revisiting the Fuerte line, but I understand the blend has been changed. That being the case, there are plenty of other cigars that I know I enjoy, so I haven't been too tempted to try any more.

[Boobar]

While I have had plenty of Gurkhas that were horrible, I do enjoy the Doble Maduro...shame they discontinued them. Grabbed a few 5ers to save for a rainy day.

The Dobles have a permanent place in my humidor and they are currently back available and can be had at a reasonable price on the Cbid

[Malazan]

Damn, 5 pages of hate. That's what I'm talking about:banger

[thecatch83]

Damn, 5 pages of hate. That's what I'm talking about:banger

Entirely way too much time spent on said Gurkha!

[Enphrared]

Which Gurkha was blended by AJ Fernandez?

[fencefixer]

Which Gurkha was blended by AJ Fernandez?

Park Avenue

[Reaver2145]

Park Avenue

AKA the one that is $2.5-3 and is actuality good.

I know who i want working for gurkha from now on.

[Enphrared]

Park Avenue

Cool, I actually have one sitting in the box. Looking forward to -(P it.

[Don Fernando]

Being a noob, I was wondering why all the hate towards Gurkha.

Two reasons:
- Because they suck
- Because charging $15+ for a Torano made stick sucks

[CigarSquid]

Park Avenue

I found that smoke.... boring.

[irratebass]

I found that smoke.... boring.

I found it mild, but good.......of course I have only had one and this was early in my obsession, who knows how I would feel about it now.

[Don Fernando]

The Gurkha haters mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be bad sticks


The Gurkha lovers mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be reasonable sticks

[thecatch83]

The Gurkha lovers mostly have only had 1 or 2 of their sticks that happened to be reasonable sticks

Priceless!

Can I use that in my memoirs?

[cmitch]

I h8 most of them. They're overpriced, overhyped, and they're overpackaged. Plus, most are just plain nasty. The vintage shaggy is the only one I have any use for.

[thecatch83]

I h8 most of them. They're overpriced, overhyped, and they're overpackaged. Plus, most are just plain nasty. The vintage shaggy is the only one I have any use for.

Do you use it for kindling?

[nick2021]

I think everybody has valid points....I too was suckered in with the advertising and boughs LOTS of Gurkhas....even let them sit for almost two years to see if they would get better or whether my taste buds would change but they just aren't for me. They definitely do a good job of marketing....

[cmitch]

Do you use it for kindling?
I use them for Tiki torches to keep the mosquitoes away.

[icehog3]

I use them for Tiki torches to keep the mosquitoes away.

See, even skeeters hate 'em. ;)

[Zeuceone]

:r

[Volusianator]

Don't hate em, just don't like them, although I have only smoked half of one it was enough to turn me off.

Gentlemen, we have a winner. Remo is fair, "don't hate em, just don't like them.

[Volusianator]

He posed the question, I answered. THought that was the purpose of the forum.

Because I say something doesn't make it "the final word". Just contributing my:2

Yep, you did answer and you answered telling him what he'd think of them. I guess there's no sense in letting someone make up their own mind about a product.

I've worked in a cigar shop for years, I've heard a thousand times people telling other customers what they'll like and not like based on their opinions. They're doing that customer a disservice by not finding out what THEY like instead of trying to push their favorites. Gurkha hate...stupid, if someone doesn't like their cigars, don't buy them, if someone doesn't like their business model, don't buy them, but why try convince someone else who's not as familiar with them that their bad without letting them try one with an open mind. Someone posted regarding a blind taste test, I'd love to see some of the haters do this.

People hate on Rocky Patel because he comes out with a new cigar every month, does this make his cigars bad? People are so in love with Pete Johnson (who is a good friend of mine and I'd tell him this to his face) yet he's also guilty of coming out with very limited hard to get cigars, yet he's a God? Shilala said he can't stomach a Tatuaje...should we all gang up on him and tell him his tastes suck because he doesn't like the hottest cigar brand on the planet. Hell no. He likes what he likes and he's right.

It'd be interesting to see how many on this forum cut their teeth smoking cigars on Acids and then see how many of them have smoked one after two, three or four years into cigars. How many of them honestly bash Acid now? Drew Estate makes a freakin' good cigar, their tobaccos are very good, their construction is top notch. Their VP Fabien is a VERY good friend of mine, would I smoke an Acid, no phucking way, I don't like them, but nobody comes close to selling as many of them at my store than I do because in the end, my job is to get every guest THE cigar that I think they'll have the best chance of liking, unless they come in with a selection in mind and know what they want.

Most of the hate comes from newer smokers, 1-5 or 6 years or so, once you get past that point, you just start to understand that in the beginning way to much is made of cigars, HTF's and LE's. what you like what you don't and trying to push your agenda on someone else. I chased HTF Opus for years, and you know what I found, they taste like Opus, so I'll stick with my Fuente Fuente's, No.4's and No.2's. I could care less if someone likes the cigars I smoke, they're not smoking them, and I could care less what someone else is smoking. Do I like to sit next to someone smoking a Kuba Kuba, Moontrance or Java Mint, no really, but if the conversation is good I could honestly care less...they may not like the smell of my AF13 either, but who am I to judge.

[maninblack]

Very well stated Wade. Hit the nail on the head.

[Boobar]

Well said Volusianator.

[hdryder]

Yep, you did answer and you answered telling him what he'd think of them. I guess there's no sense in letting someone make up their own mind about a product.

I've worked in a cigar shop for years, I've heard a thousand times people telling other customers what they'll like and not like based on their opinions. They're doing that customer a disservice by not finding out what THEY like instead of trying to push their favorites. Gurkha hate...stupid, if someone doesn't like their cigars, don't buy them, if someone doesn't like their business model, don't buy them, but why try convince someone else who's not as familiar with them that their bad without letting them try one with an open mind. Someone posted regarding a blind taste test, I'd love to see some of the haters do this.

People hate on Rocky Patel because he comes out with a new cigar every month, does this make his cigars bad? People are so in love with Pete Johnson (who is a good friend of mine and I'd tell him this to his face) yet he's also guilty of coming out with very limited hard to get cigars, yet he's a God? Shilala said he can't stomach a Tatuaje...should we all gang up on him and tell him his tastes suck because he doesn't like the hottest cigar brand on the planet. Hell no. He likes what he likes and he's right.

It'd be interesting to see how many on this forum cut their teeth smoking cigars on Acids and then see how many of them have smoked one after two, three or four years into cigars. How many of them honestly bash Acid now? Drew Estate makes a freakin' good cigar, their tobaccos are very good, their construction is top notch. Their VP Fabien is a VERY good friend of mine, would I smoke an Acid, no phucking way, I don't like them, but nobody comes close to selling as many of them at my store than I do because in the end, my job is to get every guest THE cigar that I think they'll have the best chance of liking, unless they come in with a selection in mind and know what they want.

Most of the hate comes from newer smokers, 1-5 or 6 years or so, once you get past that point, you just start to understand that in the beginning way to much is made of cigars, HTF's and LE's. what you like what you don't and trying to push your agenda on someone else. I chased HTF Opus for years, and you know what I found, they taste like Opus, so I'll stick with my Fuente Fuente's, No.4's and No.2's. I could care less if someone likes the cigars I smoke, they're not smoking them, and I could care less what someone else is smoking. Do I like to sit next to someone smoking a Kuba Kuba, Moontrance or Java Mint, no really, but if the conversation is good I could honestly care less...they may not like the smell of my AF13 either, but who am I to judge.

I agree with what you are saying but in all fairness to 44stampede he simply told him to keep smoking them and he would find out which I am sure he will. He never told him they are garbage cigars give up on them now and smoke something else.

[the jiggler]

Being rather green, I was sucked in by the names/labels. I had five or six and did not enjoy any of them. I even tried to infuse a couple of Ninjas with jager. Disaster.

To be fair, I recently picked up a cellar reserve at the encouragement of a local b&m owner here in Charlotte and it was quite good. Even at $7.95, I would buy it again.

[Theo Cincy]

I agree with what you are pointing out about tainting someone's perception of a cigar or brand. But the value I find in a website like this is we can share our opinions and thoughts of cigars and the cigar lifestyle. Cigar reviews/ discussions are all part and partial as long the are done in a respectful way. Although I may not always agree with it, I respect and value the opinion of my fellow BOTL. I would rather tell me "you may not want to spend $15 or 20 on that stick" and I can consider myself warned.

As a side note more of an observation, our join date to the site does not always correlate with our individual knowledge or length of history with cigars. Something some time I see in threads as an undertone. I am willing to earn my stripes on this site, but my history/love of cigars started long before I joined.

[lenguamor]

And I'll keep giving my opinion as long as this forum exists for that purpose, notwithstanding anyone else's opinion of my opinion.

[lenguamor]

And Gurkhas taste like dogshit smells.

[Reaver2145]

Im either going to smoke the one gurkha ive got left tonight as i cant taste a thing.

While this one looks nice though i have no idea what one it really is it just dosnt have any dakka

[Newbie_nick]

That's the cool thing about cigars. There are SO many different flavors and types that everyone can find something that they like. Smoke what ya like, bro!

[Volusianator]

I respect and value the opinion of my fellow BOTL. I would rather tell me "you may not want to spend $15 or 20 on that stick" and I can consider myself warned.



Here alone lies the issue with internet "suggestions/opinions" (an honest review is different, and I'll get to that in a bit), If I were to ask a forum, "what do you guys think of cigar XXXXX? I'll get responses from "dude, they're awesome", "my all time favorite, you can't go wrong", "dog rocket", "these suck, just ask anyone", "read the threads man, nobody likes these." Which one of those replies asked me, "what do you like in a cigar", "do you prefer mild, medium, strong, spicey, more smooth & creamy", "have you found cigars from a particular country to be more favorable to you", "what flavors do you typically find you enjoy most"? Until some of those are asked, an opinion is no better than reading the companies promotional material itself, regardless if the suggestion/opinion was good or bad. So telling a guy, "go ahead try some more, the answer will become evident" is just a way of saying, "hey, go waste more money on these because you're never gonna like them" How does he know what the OP's preferences are? Same as just blindly following a members opinion here unless there's information on the cigar to back it up as I mentioned above. If someone is just saying, "hey, you'll love it" or "hey, you'll hate it", it means nothing.

[pnoon]

Here alone lies the issue with internet "suggestions/opinions" (an honest review is different, and I'll get to that in a bit), If I were to ask a forum, "what do you guys think of cigar XXXXX? I'll get responses from "dude, they're awesome", "my all time favorite, you can't go wrong", "dog rocket", "these suck, just ask anyone", "read the threads man, nobody likes these." Which one of those replies asked me, "what do you like in a cigar", "do you prefer mild, medium, strong, spicey, more smooth & creamy", "have you found cigars from a particular country to be more favorable to you", "what flavors do you typically find you enjoy most"? Until some of those are asked, an opinion is no better than reading the companies promotional material itself, regardless if the suggestion/opinion was good or bad. So telling a guy, "go ahead try some more, the answer will become evident" is just a way of saying, "hey, go waste more money on these because you're never gonna like them" How does he know what the OP's preferences are? Same as just blindly following a members opinion here unless there's information on the cigar to back it up as I mentioned above. If someone is just saying, "hey, you'll love it" or "hey, you'll hate it", it means nothing.
Spot on.
The only exception/caveat to that is that if a member I know and have smoked with who knows my palate (likes and dislikes), I can take them at their word.

[Volusianator]

Spot on.
The only exception/caveat to that is that if a member I know and have smoked with who knows my palate (likes and dislikes), I can take them at their word.

I couldn't agree more!

[oooo35980]

Here alone lies the issue with internet "suggestions/opinions" (an honest review is different, and I'll get to that in a bit), If I were to ask a forum, "what do you guys think of cigar XXXXX? I'll get responses from "dude, they're awesome", "my all time favorite, you can't go wrong", "dog rocket", "these suck, just ask anyone", "read the threads man, nobody likes these." Which one of those replies asked me, "what do you like in a cigar", "do you prefer mild, medium, strong, spicey, more smooth & creamy", "have you found cigars from a particular country to be more favorable to you", "what flavors do you typically find you enjoy most"? Until some of those are asked, an opinion is no better than reading the companies promotional material itself, regardless if the suggestion/opinion was good or bad. So telling a guy, "go ahead try some more, the answer will become evident" is just a way of saying, "hey, go waste more money on these because you're never gonna like them" How does he know what the OP's preferences are? Same as just blindly following a members opinion here unless there's information on the cigar to back it up as I mentioned above. If someone is just saying, "hey, you'll love it" or "hey, you'll hate it", it means nothing.

By this logic you shouldn't ask or answer any questions about cigars because the people who answer your questions don't know you. I disagree, Forums are a great way to guage cigars.

For example Gurkha, I've had 2, there are 100,000,000. I wasn't disgusted or impressed by either Gurkha I had, BUT I know that most people either find them mediocre and overpriced or downright hate them. It may be that if I tried a bunch of Gurkha I'd become the biggest Gurkha fanatic ever, but probably not, and I won't be spending money trying to find out.

[Volusianator]

By this logic you shouldn't ask or answer any questions about cigars because the people who answer your questions don't know you.

Not even close to what I said and I'm not here to argue the point.

[pnoon]

By this logic you shouldn't ask or answer any questions about cigars because the people who answer your questions don't know you. I disagree, Forums are a great way to guage cigars.



I think you missed the point.

The problem is not when people describe the cigar (briefly or in a review) but when they draw conclusions and tell you they are good/bad or you will love/hate them. That is pointless.

[Volusianator]

I think you missed the point.

The problem is not when people describe the cigar (briefly or in a review) but when they draw conclusions and tell you they are good/bad or you will love/hate them. That is pointless.

:tu :tpd:

[icehog3]

That's why I never tell anyone "You will hate Gurkhas". I just tell them that I hate Gurkhas. Hell, I hate IPAs too, but they must be the best selling microbrews around and lots of people love them.

[oooo35980]

I think you missed the point.

The problem is not when people describe the cigar (briefly or in a review) but when they draw conclusions and tell you they are good/bad or you will love/hate them. That is pointless.

I disagree, again, when someone tells you a cigar (or anything for that matter) is bad the fact that it's an opinion is obvious. "I hate Gurkha" and "Gurkha sucks" mean the same thing basically. No matter how the opinion is expressed it is still an opinion and most thinking human beings will weigh it against other opinions they have heard.

[Mattso3000]

Going with Peter on this one. Palates vary widely and what is one person's trash is another's treasure. That I don't like the Gurkha cigars I've tried means nothing and should mean nothing (exception, of course, to mkarnold1). To dissuade someone else from trying a cigar because I dislike it would be a disservice and possibly keep them from trying something they may love.

[pnoon]

I disagree, again, when someone tells you a cigar (or anything for that matter) is bad the fact that it's an opinion is obvious. "I hate Gurkha" and "Gurkha sucks" mean the same thing basically. No matter how the opinion is expressed it is still an opinion and most thinking human beings will weigh it against other opinions they have heard.

Only to those who don't understand the use of the English language.

I can say your post is stupid. That does not imply that I think YOU are stupid.

Big difference.

[BHalbrooks]

I can say the Giants are the worst team in the NFL, and the Pats are te best. Because its my opinion, it's my absolute truth :)

[oooo35980]

Only to those who don't understand the use of the English language.

I can say your post is stupid. That does not imply that I think YOU are stupid.

Big difference.

Or to people that hate semantics. Icehog says he hates Gurkha, OK thats cool. Someone else here thinks Gurkha taste like dog **** smells, wonderful. Any way you slice it that's 2 people with the opinion that Gurkha is less than enjoyable. Those 2 peoples opinions mean the exact same to me.

[jluck]

:bdh

[pnoon]

Or to people that hate semantics. Icehog says he hates Gurkha, OK thats cool. Someone else here thinks Gurkha taste like dog **** smells, wonderful. Any way you slice it that's 2 people with the opinion that Gurkha is less than enjoyable. Those 2 peoples opinions mean the exact same to me.

You can hate semantics all you like. Sad that understanding and use of the English language is less common these days.

[oooo35980]

You can hate semantics all you like. Sad that understanding and use of the English language is less common these days.

I suppose if you want to think I don't understand the meaning of the words that is your prerogative. :tu

[maninblack]

Sounds like we're beating a dead horse. Just my two cents.

[thecatch83]

Sounds like we're beating a dead horse. Just my two cents.

For those who aren't familiar with words!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/jennymbraun/Smiley/dead-horse-fast2.gif
+

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/0496.jpg

=:2

[icehog3]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/0496.jpg



Sort of like Gurkhas? ;s

[pnoon]

For those who aren't familiar with words!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/jennymbraun/Smiley/dead-horse-fast2.gif
+

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/0496.jpg

=:2

Thanks for that. Don't know what we'd do without you.

[icehog3]

For those who aren't familiar with words!



Boy, that would make it tough on an internet forum. Unless you were just here for the Funny Pictures thread. :)

[Hem]

Boy, that would make it tough on an internet forum. Unless you were just here for the Funny Pictures thread. :)

Isn't that what this site is for?

LOLCATS for the win!

[Malazan]

I'M A FUNNY

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w175/m60g/P1010407.jpg

[icehog3]

Isn't that what this site is for?

LOLCATS for the win!

Sure. What did I win?

[thecatch83]

Sure. What did I win?

A box of Gurkha Legend Special Edition Black Beauty Limited Edition Sampler with a free T-shirt and official Black Ops hunting knife?

[Barcode]

A box of Gurkha Legend Special Edition Black Beauty Limited Edition Sampler with a free T-shirt and official Black Ops hunting knife?

And don't forget the Coffee Mugs. :D

[Don Fernando]

That's why I never tell anyone "You will hate Gurkhas". I just tell them that I hate Gurkhas.

:tpd:

that's what I try to do with my reviews too, give facts (size, looks, burn, flavors) in the review and then my personal opinion, would I buy the cigar again. Not telling anybody to smoke or not to smoke a certain cigar.

[Volusianator]

Going with Peter on this one. Palates vary widely and what is one person's trash is another's treasure. That I don't like the Gurkha cigars I've tried means nothing and should mean nothing (exception, of course, to mkarnold1). To dissuade someone else from trying a cigar because I dislike it would be a disservice and possibly keep them from trying something they may love.

You get it Matt!

[chand]

And don't forget the Coffee Mugs. :D

Hey! The best thing Gurkha makes are those coffee mugs! Ok, I kinda liked the little Assassin Daggers too.

[lenguamor]

Those mugs are awesome! Well...except for the Gurkha logos and stuff.

[Malazan]

Their posters are cool too