Gurkha, Gurkha, Gurkha...

[Zen Cigar Man]

After the post about the Robb Report Cigar of the Year, I thought you guys might get a kick out of this...

http://zencigar.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/manufacturer-spotlight-gurkha/

:timebomb:

Crazy, huh?

 

[dpricenator]

Yep I stopped even trying new Gurkhas. I like the Centurian perfecto, and that's about it. The black dragon robusto was good, but I won't pay for it again. I agree between gurkha and Rocky there is a ton of crap out there, with premium names on it. He does do a great job of presentation and marketing, but i think the word is out anf the gig is up. people are catching on.

 

[rabbgp]

Yep I stopped even trying new Gurkhas. I like the Centurian perfecto, and that's about it. The black dragon robusto was good, but I won't pay for it again. I agree between gurkha and Rocky there is a ton of crap out there, with premium names on it. He does do a great job of presentation and marketing, but i think the word is out anf the gig is up. people are catching on.

Agreed!

 

[Tegu]

Lol, nice.

I thought I liked the legend perfectos, but either the recent one's are not the same as the last few I had, or I lost my taste for them. Gurkha, RP, CAO...I just dont even try any of the new crap they put out anymore. However I always seem to end up with a couple somehow.

 

[Electric Sheep]

That link is INSANE! I knew it was bad, but not THAT bad.

Wow.

 

[Soundwave13]

I just read that from the link you posted in the other thread.

Thank you for detailing all of that. I agree with you guys completely. I don't pay attention to them anymore, because of the focus on quantity & marketing.

I'd like to try that Black Dragon tubo though.. Just to see for myself... last 4-5 stick I've had from Ghurka or RP have bombed IMO.

 

[Volusianator]

We discontinued Gurkha in our shop quite a while ago. Bob the owner smokes the crap outta them now just to get rid of them.

 

[njstone]

The thing about Gurkha is that they are a company thejites out cigar making, not a family farm like Torano or the other old Cuban families. As such, how many cigars they have is irrelevant. That would be almost like talking about how many sticks General Cigar makes.

That said, I've tried a lot of Gurkhas that I think are fabulous. A cigar need not cost a lot or be produced onlybin small quantities to be a good cigar.

I think the point of the "Internet exclusives" whoever the maker is well made, but I also think that there is a HUGE difference between them. I wouldn't pay to try any Thompsons exclusives, whereas many of the CI exclusive sticks (CAO Black, RP Fusion) are awesome cigars IMO. I've heard Holtz has some good ones too.

 

[dpricenator]

Also look at the MSRP aspect. if you go to CI you can buy a 12pack of centurian perfectos this weeks for $39...a good price for a good smoke. However if you want to buy a single they have them listed for $30 a pop. So am I to believe that this sale is acctually giving away 10.5 of 12 sticks? No!! Those smokes are worth $8 at the most. They put these rediculous MSRPs on their cigars so that when they get marked down, the average person thinks they are getting a great deal.

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

Also look at the MSRP aspect. if you go to CI you can buy a 12pack of centurian perfectos this weeks for $39...a good price for a good smoke. However if you want to buy a single they have them listed for $30 a pop. So am I to believe that this sale is acctually giving away 10.5 of 12 sticks? No!! Those smokes are worth $8 at the most. They put these rediculous MSRPs on their cigars so that when they get marked down, the average person thinks they are getting a great deal.

yeah, it begins to smell of a scam. If you are the only one selling the cigar, isn't the price you sell it at the MSRP? This has always been my issue with some online retailers like CI. DOn't even get me started on CBid...

i have said this often, and i understand some folks really don't have an option but to buy online, but you will almost always get a better quality stick at a GOOD B&M than if you bought it online.

 

[njstone]

yeah, it begins to smell of a scam. If you are the only one selling the cigar, isn't the price you sell it at the MSRP? This has always been my issue with some online retailers like CI. DOn't even get me started on CBid...

i have said this often, and i understand some folks really don't have an option but to buy online, but you will almost always get a better quality stick at a GOOD B&M than if you bought it online.

Nay. If you buy from a reputable place and assuming it arrived in good shape (and if not, get it replaced), then it's the same exact stick. The only x-factor is age. I'd guess that in many cases the sticks at a B&M will have more age simply due to sales volume. 6-months to a year can do a lot of good for a cigar.

Otherwise, if 2 boxes ship from the plant, one to your B&M and one to CI or Holtz, exactly how will they differ, other than in price?

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

i can just about guarantee a stick from ci are of lesser quality than ones from my local b&m. manufacturers often send "seconds" or lower quality sticks to the big guys.

 

[njstone]

i can just about guarantee a stick from ci are of lesser quality than ones from my local b&m. manufacturers often send "seconds" or lower quality sticks to the big guys.

That's an urban myth.

The only possible argument that one could give EVIDENCE for...though I cannot, but perhaps someone could--would be for boxed cigars vs bundled of the same stick. Perhaps the age factor as well as the cedar packaging would make a difference--again, although perhaps logical I have no evidence for that either.

If you can show any evidence that a CAO Italia from CI is of lesser quality than the one at my good local--please do. But the reasons for this myth are many, and not based on fact.

 

[dpricenator]

MSRP =Manufacurers Suggested Retail Price. A lot of places sell products over MSRP, but to sell them under MSRP can hurt your relationship with the manufacture. Gurkha inflats their MSRP so rediculously so that they go on "sale" it seems like its' your "ONLY CHANCE" to get them at a reasonable price. They just get paid more when some buys them at full price.

I will have to disagree that a Box of Don Pepin Blue, or macanudo or swishers from CI are any different than the ones I can buy at my B&M. Same factory, possibly the same rollers. Both are recieving multiple boxes and sell them over time. Same smokes, either way you need to make sure you source is caring for and shipping the cigars properly.

 

[Daviso27]

It sucks, because I love me a Gurkha, XO, Genghis Kahn (not listed), Grand Age, etc, If you name it, Ive tried, or so i thought...I have noticed the same with RP....100+/- vitolas. I use to love them, the 92 vintage 6 sixty is still one of my favs, but those guys seem to wrap some bullsh!t and splack their name on them, expecting fans of the brand, like me, will buy a box...

 

[dpricenator]

AMEN Daviso....Amen. A ton of that stuff is crap, but the RP 92 60 is great, and so are some of the Gurkhas. Too much crap to weed through to find it though.

 

[njstone]

It sucks, because I love me a Gurkha, XO, Genghis Kahn (not listed), Grand Age, etc, If you name it, Ive tried, or so i thought...I have noticed the same with RP....100+/- vitolas. I use to love them, the 92 vintage 6 sixty is still one of my favs, but those guys seem to wrap some bullsh!t and splack their name on them, expecting fans of the brand, like me, will buy a box...

I personally have yet to try a Gurkha, RP or CAO that I didn't at least think was an above average cigar, and many I love. But I haven't tried them all and NEVER buy a box site-inseen, I have to try a couple first.

My first box puchases were all RP and CAO (yes they were online) and I still like them all.

Oh--and I too love the Vintage '92 Sixty...when I have the 2+ hours it takes me to smoke one, LOL.

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

That's an urban myth.

The only possible argument that one could give EVIDENCE for...though I cannot, but perhaps someone could--would be for boxed cigars vs bundled of the same stick. Perhaps the age factor as well as the cedar packaging would make a difference--again, although perhaps logical I have no evidence for that either.

If you can show any evidence that a CAO Italia from CI is of lesser quality than the one at my good local--please do. But the reasons for this myth are many, and not based on fact.

I'm sorry, but I am going to have to disagree with you on this. Not only do I feel that off color, splotchy wrappers, seconds and the like often go to the big wholesale guys, but you have to also consider the conditions they are stored in. Often times these cigars are stored in less than ideal conditions. And you cannot always undo poor storage. The great thing about a b&m is that you can walk in the humidor, look at the cigars you are interested in, you can see how they are being cared for, and feel assured you are getting a good product.

Now please don't think I am disparaging fellow brothers that get their sticks online. that is not the case. I am simply suggesting that if you are willing to pay the extra price, than you are going to get a better product at a b&m.

As far as aging is concerned, the fact that a b&m would have older sticks is a myth as well. These big online guys buy in such large quantities that there is often boxes that sit around for years in their warehouses (hence the vintage stuff Cigar.com and jr).

Smoke what you like. That's the most important thing. If you are perfectly happy doing what you are doing. keep on keeping on. :smile:

 

[Asher]

I'm sorry, but I am going to have to disagree with you on this. Not only do I feel that off color, splotchy wrappers, seconds and the like often go to the big wholesale guys, but you have to also consider the conditions they are stored in. Often times these cigars are stored in less than ideal conditions. And you cannot always undo poor storage. The great thing about a b&m is that you can walk in the humidor, look at the cigars you are interested in, you can see how they are being cared for, and feel assured you are getting a good product.

I think it's a bit ridiculous to suggest that the manufacturers would be sending lower quality goods to their biggest customers. Of course, the big online vendors do sell seconds (marked as such), but why would they and the manufacturers risk their reputations by selling seconds as firsts?

Also, which online vendors are you accusing of storing their cigars inadequately? I've been in more than a couple B&M walkins that were way too wet or dry, and on the other hand (from what I've read) CI and the like keep their merchandise in properly humidified warehouses.

 

[BrooksW]

I think it's a bit ridiculous to suggest that the manufacturers would be sending lower quality goods to their biggest customers. Of course, the big online vendors do sell seconds (marked as such), but why would they and the manufacturers risk their reputations by selling seconds as firsts?

Also, which online vendors are you accusing of storing their cigars inadequately? I've been in more than a couple B&M walkins that were way too wet or dry, and on the other hand (from what I've read) CI and the like keep their merchandise in properly humidified warehouses.

Yep, I have been in alot of B&M shops, and honestly, I would rather take my chances with the internet shops, if the 78% humidity @ 75 degrees I have seen is any indication...

~brooks