The Most Expensive Cigar Brand in the World? | A Guide to Gurkha Cigars

23 April 2024 by Ellie

When looking at the Most Expensive Cigars in the World, Gurkha was featured three times on the list, with their Gurkha His Majesty’s Reserve coming in at number nine, the Gurkha Black Dragon ranking in sixth position and the Gurkha Royal Courtesan in first place, costing a whopping $1.36 million per cigar!

With this in mind, it’s safe to say that Gurkha can be considered the most expensive cigar brand in the world! Despite this, they still have more affordable options available, so you can still enjoy a taste of these luxurious smokes!

We explore the history of this brand and its range of cigars – from the affordable to the opulent!

About Gurkha Cigars

Gurkha cigars as a brand were established in 1989 by Kaizad Hansotia. They have since become synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship in the world of premium cigars. The brand draws its inspiration from the legendary Nepalese Gurkha soldiers known for their bravery, reflecting a spirit of excellence and distinction in every cigar produced.

Gurkha cigars are celebrated for their unique blends crafted from carefully selected tobaccos sourced from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras, among other regions. These cigars offer a range of flavour profiles, from mild to full-bodied, appealing to a diverse audience of cigar enthusiasts.

What sets Gurkha apart is not just the exceptional quality of their cigars, but also their extravagant packaging. This commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and presentation has garnered Gurkha a loyal following among aficionados, collectors, and celebrities alike.

Over the years, Gurkha has expanded its portfolio to include a wide variety of cigar lines, continually innovating and introducing new blends to cater to evolving tastes. Through its dedication to excellence and innovation, Gurkha has left a mark on the premium cigar industry, setting standards for quality and luxury. Today, Gurkha remains a symbol of sophistication and indulgence, representing the pinnacle of cigar craftsmanship and elegance.

History of Gurkha Cigars

Cigars have been referred to as ‘Gurkhas’ for over a century, after colonial soldiers renamed their smokes as a tribute to the Gurkha soldiers. The name became popular across the British colonies, and the term began to be used for cigars in India.

In 1988, Kaizad Hansotia was visiting India and discovered a Portuguese vendor in Goa selling cigars under the ‘Gurkha’ name. He enjoyed them so much that he bought the entire business from them for $143. He managed to then turn the Gurkha brand into luxury cigars, perfectly suited to the new cigar smoker.

Gurkha Cigar Lines

Gurkha Cigars is known for producing a wide range of premium cigars, each with its own unique characteristics and target audience. Each of these lines represents a different facet of Gurkha’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation in the world of premium cigars.

Core Brands

Cigars that celebrate the essence of Gurkha:

Ultra Premium
Cigars that represent ultra-luxury and exclusivity:

Collector’s
Cigars that represent ultra-luxury and exclusivity:

Which Gurkha Cigars Should I Try?

Here are some of the cigars we have available for you to try at Havana House, so you can get a taste of Gurkha cigars.

Gurkha Royal Challenge

The majestic Royal Challenge is a mild to medium bodied cigar that is smooth and complex. The blend is highlighted by an aged silky Connecticut/Ecuadorian shade wrapper and a Habano/Honduran binder that is perfectly complemented by Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers.

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

 Toro 6 x 50

Robusto 5 x 50

Gurkha Ghost 

The Gurkha Ghost is a sleek and alluring cigar that should make an appearance in anyone’s humidor. The Ghost blend showcases a dark Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper, complemented by an aged Criollo 1998 binder and carefully selected Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. Ghost is a rich, medium bodied cigar with a multi-layered flavour profile, providing sweet and earthy undertones with lingering flavours of cocoa and cinnamon. 

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Shadow 5×52

Gurkha Ghost Gold 

​The Ghost Gold is a medium bodied blend, like the original Ghost. For Ghost Gold, the original Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper leaf has been swapped to a silky-smooth Ecuadorian Habano. Underneath, a Criollo ’98 binder encases U.S., Dominican, and Nicaraguan long-fillers to create a medium-bodied blend that’s ultra-smooth. You’ll find sweet and earthy notes, with hints of black pepper and cinnamon spice joining the mix. 

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Shadow – 6×54

Exorcist – 6×54

Gurkha Cellar Reserve Edición Especial  18 Year Old

The Cellar Reserve Edición Especial is crafted with 18-year aged tobacco and a Corojo wrapper. This cigar line offers medium body and full flavour. 

Brand owner, Kaizad Hansotia, stated: “I partnered with our blenders to search for the rarest tobaccos we could find and stumbled upon this 18-year old corojo wrapper and blend, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

The cigars are available packaged in a beautiful piano finish, mahogany box – ideal for those who love collecting or gifting beautiful cigars.

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Koi – 4×58

Solara – 5×58

Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Years

The Vintage Cellar Reserve uses the finest quality 15-year-old aged tobacco, comprised of an oily Criollo 1998 wrapper that combines an aged Dominican Olor binder with a 15-year-old Dominican filler. The Cellar Reserve is a delicious medium to full-bodied cigar that is full of flavour and complexity.

The box of 20 cigars is housed in a unique wooden box that aesthetically evokes a maturing wine barrel.

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Koi – 4×58

Solara – 5×58

Gurkha Marquesa

The Gurkha Marquesa is wrapped in a soft and silky Sumatra wrapper leaf and offers hints of roasted nuts, slight saltiness, natural tobacco crispness, and a sweet core of flavour. It delivers a medium-body profile that is reminiscent of pre-embargo Cuban cigars.

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Robusto – 5×52

Gurkha Treinta

The Gurkha Treinta celebrates Gurkha’s 30th anniversary. The Treinta wears a light-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan Corojo binder and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos. The Gurkha Treinta is handcrafted in Nicaragua.

It is a medium-strength stick that uses Aganorsa Leaf tobacco, which is Nicaragua’s largest producer of Nicaraguan tobacco. It is the first time Gurkha has used this exquisite leaf. This medium-bodied cigar features some sweetness and complex flavours.

It is available at Havana House in the following formats:

Robusto 5×52

Gurkha Cigar Sampler Packs

One of the best ways to discover which Gurkha cigars you like is with their Sampler Packs, which provide a selection of their core lines. Here at Havana House, we have a range of sampler packs available from Gurkha. Each pack costs £99.95 for six cigars, averaging at £16.60 per cigar. 

Gurkha Boutique Toro Sampler Pack

The Gurkha Boutique Toro Sampler Pack includes (2) Nicaragua Series, (2) Treinta, and (2) San Miguel. Each cigar is in a Toro format, measuring 6×50. 

Gurkha Boutique Toro Sampler Pack – 6 Cigars

Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Selection Sampler Pack

The Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Selection Sampler Bag includes (1) Heritage Maduro, (1) Havana Legend, (1) Marquesa, (1) Royal Challenge, (1) Cellar Reserve 12 Year, and (1) Heritage. Each cigar is in a Toro format, measuring 6×50. 

This is a selection of some of the company’s most exceptional handmade cigars. The Gurkha experience awaits you with this amazing selection, showcasing each line comprised of a unique and incredibly gratifying smoking experience. 

Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Selection Sampler Bag – 6 Cigars

Gurkha Toro Selection Cigars Sampler Bag

The Gurkha Toro Selection Cigars Sampler Bag contains (1) Cellar Reserve 15 Year Limitada, (1) Cellar Reserve 18 Year Edicion Especial, (1) Cellar Reserve 15 Year, (1) Cellar Reserve 15 Year 10th Anniversary, and (2) Cellar Reserve 21 Year. Each cigar is in a Toro format, measuring 6×50. 

This Gurkha Cigars Sampler bag gives you the chance to try the best of the Gurkha line all in one beautiful limited edition humidification bag. A total of six of their best cigars. This Cigar sampler pack is exceptional in value and comes in a special edition Gurkha humidified pouch. Try them all and decide which one is the best Gurkha.

Gurkha Toro Selection Cigars Sampler Bag – 6 Cigars

Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Blue Sampler Pack

The Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Blue Sampler Pack contains (1) Castle Hall Nicaragua, (1) Marquesa, (1) Rogue, (1) Evil, (1) Chateau D’Prive, and (1) Beast. Each cigar is in a Toro format, measuring 6×50. 

Gurkha Nicaraguan Toro Blue Sampler Pack – 6 Cigars

Which Gurkha cigar sounds best to you? If you’d like to give this brand a go, you can check out our entire range of Gurkha cigars here at Havana House. 

You can also check out our cigar history archive to discover more about your favourite cigar brands!

Image Credit: Gurkha Cigars