ok everyone, I'm hoping I could get some input from some of you cigar aficionados her in the forum. I've been hearing a few people talk about Gurkha's and I've been looking at some here on the website. I want to try some but I'm always hesitant to try something new without suggestions. I'm a big fan of Rocky Patel and buy a lot of RP Flor de San Andres, The Edge Habano Toro. I also buy a lot of Cohiba Connecticut Robusto, and My Father The Judge. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Well, I guess I'm on to looking around a little more to broaden the variety in my humidor! hahaha

Got it. I'll drop the thought, 2 responses and both negative. I'd rather not smoke a cigar if it's going to be bad!

Stick with the boutiques and stay away from the conglomerates and you'll most likely find less cigars you don't like.

Can’t beat the savings on the Gurkhas, for some reason those sticks with an MSRP of $199.99 are always like 95% off…

It's just because you're new. Don't take it personally. The FOGs love ragging on Noobs especially Noobs asking about Gurkha. You actually probably haven't seen the worst of it yet. It's still early in the day. Lol

I only classify cigar brands as either boutique if they operate solely or conglomerate if they are part of one so I consider AF, Padron, LFD, etc. boutiques. There are even some multi brand companies that are solid like Ashton, San Cristobal, and LADC are all the same company. Jonathan Drew sold Drew Estate to Swisher but since nothing was changed in the company, they are still good, consistent cigars. I waste less money buying boutiques than conglomerates like Altadis and General cigar. I like some of their cigars but Ive had to try more to find blends that I like than say LFD or Oliva which I've liked 90% of.

Drop their cigars and drive the Rolls Royce.


As fast as the car will take you from those cigars!!!!

"The King called up his jet fighters
He said you better earn your pay
Drop your bombs between the Minarets
Down the Casbah way
As soon as the Sharif was chauffeured outta there
The jet pilots tuned to the cockpit radio blare
As soon as the Sharif was outta their hair
The jet pilots wailed"

Check out the "Whatcha smoking azzhats 1,000,000 vol.2" thread. That will help you see what's popular with many experienced smokers. You can get good recommendations for cheap cigars, premiums, and high-ends whatever your looking to buy and try. You won't see any Gurkhas there. Even if someone smoked one theyd probably be too afraid to post it.

I caught the reference but never seen the video. Love it, thanks.

Gurkha for the most part makes mediocre cigars - at least most of the ones on CBID. There are a few awful cigars and a few good ones. I still have a few good or decent ones, but the current ones are few. Avoid anything infused and tubed as a general rule, but the Ghosts are pretty good. Any cigar that is highly rated is suspect as many of them got that award years ago and the quality has generally dipped since then. I've smoked 850 or so Gurkhas and still pick up a few if the price is right. If you need a recommendation for any of them, drop me a PM.

I think anyone who buys Rocky Patel cigars probably should also buy Gurkhas.

Buy less smoke less, enjoy better choices.

Or don’t. They’re your choices man.

Caldwell has some good cigars, as a matter fact there's a Caldwell Midnight Express in the box I sent to you this morning along with some other cigars I enjoy so something for you to look forward to jeebling.

Thanks Pops, I’m looking forward to trying that.
Z, thanks for the feedback and your other suggestions as well.

Thank you, King. I appreciate your thoughts on these different cigars.

Thanks, Tony. I always read your posts. Helpful

Oh damn, are RP’s considered bad? Maybe my taste for quality is broken 😅. I like their vintage 2003 Cameroon

Huzza... can you recommend one or two I should try? Can you answer that and forget the fact I said I like a few RP's? haha

I can recommend stuff I like, but keep in mind, I smoke cigars that are considered good for my demographic (I.e., poor azz graduate student) but maybe not for most of this forum (I.e., upstanding adults who are retired or have good jobs).

I like the Fugazi COTY line quite a bit. I also tend to like the Caldwell stuff. They put out good sticks and don’t charge a fortune for them. When I’m feeling a bit fancy, I pick up some La Aurora Preferidos when they are on sale. Their Cameroon one is stellar.

Edit: although even I stay away from Gurkhas

well, I've never tried a Gurkha and I guess I'm not going to now, so I guess that problem was solved today! haha I'm gonna take a look and try a few suggested here, thanks!

I've tried a few Padron's and a few Fuente's, loved all of them especially the Padron's I've tried. That said, I'm pretty sure Abrignac is still angry I started this conversation! hahaha

From a nOOb. You could get some more targeted recommendations if you made some comments about what you are looking for in a cigar.

Something thick and chewy or peppery or woody. Something that will put you on your azz, Something light with a little spice. Something 45 min or maybe an hour and a half. Something $5 or $10 or $20 Or whatever you think you are looking for

adding to King of the Cove's list of quality cigar brands, here are a few more that won't break the bank, for most of their offerings...I liked these a lot during my earlier cigar smoking years, and the old remainders buried in my stash are still good smokes...I'll occasionally get some fivers to see if the latest iterations are as good as my memory of them.

Camacho
Diesel
Espinosa
Joya de Nicaragua
Man O' War Puro Authentico
Oliva
San Lotano


higher priced brands that were very good;

Illusione
My Father
San Cristobal

Delta and Abrignac both have good advice .