Smoking in India goes back – way back. According to Wikipedia, they were smoking a strain of marijuana in the subcontinent before the first chords of reggae were even strummed in the islands far to the west and half way around the world. But tobacco is a bit different. First, tobacco had to leave the New World to come to the Old World and travel the trade routes until eastern Indians could enjoy the smokables provided by western Indians.
As Gurkha tells it, soldiers were rolling up early cigars in 1887 and calling them Gurkhas. Now, when master marketers like Gurkha owner Kaizad Hansotia make a claim like that, you’d be wise to kindly ask for some form of a source. Until we see it, we’ll just take that statement with a grain of large, pink, Himalayan salt.
Anyhow, 1887 was somewhere in the height of British rule of India. Prior to that, the British East India Company controlled activity in the region until the Indian rebellion of 1857. After that point, the British Crown controlled it. But by then, the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers had already proven their ferocity and were busily building their reputation as skilled warriors whose courage never failed. So this cigar is a tribute to some of the glory days of Gurkhas and tobacco.
The Gurkha Signature 1887 cigar comes in two forms:
Gurkha Signature 1887 Black
The Signature 1887 Black cigar features a Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a Peruvian and Indian long-filler blend. How fitting! If you’ve ever smoked Indian tobacco, raise your hand. We’re waiting… ok, pretty much no one? Well, now’s your chance to enjoy this full strength blend which comes out with smoke that’s a certified flavor bomb. The term is overused, but with notes of espresso, steak sauce, black cherry, and full fat cream, this one has got it where it counts.
Gurkha Signature 1887 Red
For this version, the wrapper is switched to an Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf. This transforms things quite a bit. Now you’ll get something a bit more relaxed. It’s a medium strength blend with mild to medium body, and a different flavor profile. There’s hay, dried apricot, sweet cinnamon, and cedar – plenty going on and still quite an enjoyable smoke, but not the potent force that you get with the Signature 1887 Black cigar.
In classic Gurkha style, the boxes are slick. They’re upright with either cherry red or glossy black finishes and leather-like inlays. You won’t want to lock them away.
Please browse our selection of Gurkha Signature 1887 cigars at your leisure.
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