We stopped by the Gurkha booth this year and saw the one and only Juan Lopez, Vice President of Sales. Gurkha had a few new offerings to show from the same booth they have had before. But don’t confuse that for criticism – the Gurkha booth was sharp and elegant. There was no need for a different booth when they are still getting great use out of what they have.
From the red silk in the display cases and the “Pure Evil’ sign hanging on the wall of the center of the booth to being greeted by Bianca Melone – a rockstar that keeps Juan on his game as he and his team do their thing at the biggest show of the year. Gurkha was also tied with Rocky Patel for the largest booth space on the show floor at 100′ x 50′ and they were positioned right upfront being the first booth attendees saw when they entered the trade show floor.
Pure Evil
Speaking of Pure Evil, that was the first new product we were shown and got to see. However, this is not a new cigar. Gurkha Pure Evil was once a limited-edition release back in 2006 albeit with a different blend. For this release we see a reworked blend full of flavor and a product that will now be a regular production. It features an Ecuador Habano wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Pure Evil is made at American Caribbean Cigars, and it will ship in three sizes:
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Robusto (5 x52) – $8.95
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Toro (6 x 54) – $9.50
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XO (6 x 60) – $9.95
Expect to see the Pure Evil on store shelves sometime in August. The first few samples we have smoked have been good and I think with a little more rest are on track to be phenomenal. I expect the ones that ship to stores to be just that. It is a solid cigar that will be hard to beat especially at its price point.
Coleccion Especial
Here is a cigar that has already shipped but was showcased for the first time at PCA 2022. The Coleccion Especial was first released to members of the Tobacconist’s Association of America (TAA) back in June of this year. However, that cigar was a 5 1/4 x 58 double perfecto that shipped in an eight-count box. The cigar we were shown at PCA was different. Coleccion Especial uses an undisclosed Connecticut Hybrid wrapper, Mexican Sumatra binder, undisclosed fillers with some being Connecticut Broadleaf and is made by PDR Cigars. It will be available in the following:
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Coleccion Especial Robusto (5 x 52) – $12.95
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Coleccion Especial Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 48) – $13.95
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Coleccion Especial Toro (6 x 54) – $14.95
These will come in ten count boxes and will be offered in three different sizes. While it will be a regular production, Coleccion Especial will only be available to a small number of retailers.
Gurkha Revenant Sampler
Last year Gurkha released the Revenant, a box pressed cigar offered in both a Honduran corojo wrapper and the other in a Mexican San Andreas. Both cigars featured a Cameroon binder with fillers from the Dominican, Nicaragua and some undisclosed. This year we learned a new version is now going to be available – Connecticut. The only catch is the Connecticut Revenants will only come in the new Revenant sampler pack shipping to retailers now. That sampler will feature six round, not box pressed, 6 x 50 toros and will contain two of each cigar. The Gurkha Revenant Sampler packs will retail for $37, a great price for six solid cigars. The Revenant cigars are made by Artista Cigars.
Check out our interview with Juan Lopez from PCA 2022 below on our YouTube channel.
