International Cigar Association

[El Presidente]

Just curious as to who are the International Cigar Association.

I am casting no aspersions 

Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15-Year, one of the brand’s flagship cigars, has just been voted the best cigar in the world – and one of the finest of all time – by members of the International Cigar Association. At a private tasting session, the members smoked several of the world’s best cigars before declaring the Cellar Reserve 15-Year the winner. According to a report on PRnewswire, the judges said the cigar was “absolutely flawless” and that it was “a delicious medium-to-full-bodied cigar that is full of flavor and complexity.” They added that it was “another masterpiece created by Kaizad Hansotia.” Gurkha cigars have long been considered among the very best in the world, and are much sought after by cigar aficionados. The brand will formally be launched in India next year, but is already available here after a soft launch, as well as the inauguration of a cigar lounge at Mumbai’s Sofitel Hotel. 

[99call]

I wonder if the sheen, is self produced 'corruption slime'.

I would say "who does he think he's kidding?"     the sad answer is lots .......and lots of people

[Ryan]

The cigars might be expensive but that looks like a pine box. Weird. And unless there's some packing not shown between the cigars and lid when closed, they'll rattle around in there.

[Chibearsv]

The ICA, of course.  They didn't even put up a BS website to lend some credibility.  Everything about that cigar's appearance is off putting to me.

[Nino]

Hmmm .... someone can confirm those are actually cigars ?

A strange association to a rear release dog product comes to my mind, don't know why.

[Chibearsv]

2 minutes ago, Ryan said:

The cigars might be expensive but that looks like a pine box. Weird. And unless there's some packing not shown between the cigars and lid when closed, they'll rattle around in there.

Meant to look like a wine or liquor crate perhaps?  Pine Sol flavor notes eventually?  Yick

[Paso]

1 hour ago, Nino said:

Hmmm .... someone can confirm those are actually cigars ?

A strange association to a rear release dog product comes to my mind, don't know why.

Exactly the same association visited my mind when I saw this pic 🤭

[WABOOM]

"have long been considered among the very best in the world"
... credibility GONE

[sonarman81]

If North Korea wrote cigar reviews...

[garbandz]

website does not exist.

 

smells like what Nino was describing.

 

Hansotia has been known to exaggerate .

 

you decide.

[Kevin48438]

Gurkha does this sort of thing a lot.  A lot of sizzle that results in a well done steak.  Phony organizations, grandiose statements, striking packaging, pretty cigars, and sometimes attention getting pricing.  I’ve had this cigar and it’s okay.  I think I may still have a couple.  But I can definitely see how Gurkha’s nonsense exhibits delusions of grandeur.  They are mostly just really nice C&Cs (but often not priced that way after you purchase the nonsense) that invite eye rolls amongst enthusiasts I know.

They kind of embody the adage of making cigars a huge number will like, rather than a smaller number will love.  In that way they are a bunch of AJ Fernandez that cost 50%+ more because they come in a pretty box.

[Meesterjojo]

Someone needs to link the video. You guys that haven't seen it will love it.

[Çnote]

This is 5 year old news....

[NW_Oregon]

Ahh Gurkha, the cigar with a million dollar msrp, but always on clearance for 59.99 a box 🤣

truly the best...

[Digi]

You gotta hand it to Kaizad.  The dude is a master of marketing, brand image, segment targeting, etc.  In a lot of ways, the product almost doesn't matter he could be selling anything with a luxury bent.  Think Redbull.

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell I'd lay down cash for any of his products but I can appreciate the machine none the less.

[NW_Oregon]

11 minutes ago, Digi said:

You gotta hand it to Kaizad.  The dude is a master of marketing, brand image, segment targeting, etc.  In a lot of ways, the product almost doesn't matter he could be selling anything with a luxury bent.  Think Redbull.

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell I'd lay down cash for any of his products but I can appreciate the machine none the less.

redbull while over priced is still drinkable. Gurkha's are barely smokeable IMO.

wish they'd put just a bit of thought into their blends, seems like a waste of tobacco to just make shit cigars just for the marketing.

[Cigar Surgeon]

6 hours ago, Nino said:

Hmmm .... someone can confirm those are actually cigars ?

A strange association to a rear release dog product comes to my mind, don't know why.

They are real. I have smoked them.

I hope my sacrifice was appreciated. 🤣

[Digi]

24 minutes ago, NW_Oregon said:

redbull while over priced is still drinkable. Gurkha's are barely smokeable IMO.

wish they'd put just a bit of thought into their blends, seems like a waste of tobacco to just make shit cigars just for the marketing.

HA!  Indeed

9 minutes ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

They are real. I have smoked them.

I hope my sacrifice was appreciated. 🤣

As a surgeon, maybe you can perform a filler transplant?

[Cigar Surgeon]

Just now, Digi said:

HA!  Indeed

As a surgeon, maybe you can perform a filler transplant?

This is the part where I normally say: I'm not a doctor, just a tobacco surgeon. But you nailed it.

[Ginseng]

Well, I've been smoking for awhile and I've never had a Gurkha that didn't taste to me like crap wrapped in dirt. Maybe it's just me.

[griller]

57 minutes ago, Ginseng said:

Well, I've been smoking for awhile and I've never had a Gurkha that didn't taste to me like crap wrapped in dirt. Maybe it's just me.

Nope, not just you LOL! I started smoking cigars back in 1996 and Gurkha was a brand carried by a local B & M in my area. One got recommended to me to try by an employee early in my cigar journey. Needless to say I never heeded any advice or recommendations from him ever again...

[Puros Y Vino]

That's an odd way to spell sewer! It' S E W A R not C E L L A R!

And with that, my obligatory Gurkha shade post is filed away.

[Cairo]

2 hours ago, NW_Oregon said:

wish they'd put just a bit of thought into their blends,

Their horrid blends are often matched by amazingly bad construction.    A Gurkha was the first time I ever tasted soap in a cigar.    Everyone should try just one--makes them appreciate every other cigar, CC or NC, so much more....  

[El Presidente]

....what....there is no International Cigar Association 😲

 

 

My faith in humanity is being seriously tested 

[Cazador]

Well this is an association of people, who smoke cigars, from different countries. We could update the review?