Gurkha Revenant

The term Revenant means “someone who returns after a long absence” and could be interpreted as a reference to cigars that were once available on the market and are now making a comeback after many years. However, that is not the case. The Gurkha Revenant cigar line was introduced in 2021 at the PCA trade show (formerly the IPCPR) in the United States and reached retailers there in the fall of the same year. As is often the case, it took another year and a half before these cigars made their way across the Atlantic.

Gurkha Revenant: Innovative Blends From the Dominican Republic

The Gurkha Revenant cigars are produced by Ram Rodriguez at Tabacalera Artista Cigars in the Dominican Republic. Both blends feature a Cameroon binder. Ram originally suggested using this leaf as the wrapper, but its delicate nature made that impractical. Jim Colucci, Gurkha’s CEO, was particularly opposed to the idea, resulting in the two versions now available: one with a Honduran Corojo wrapper and the other with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. As mentioned above, Cameroon serves as the binder in both blends.

• The filler of the Revenant Corojo consists of Dominican Corojo 98, Nicaraguan tobacco, and an additional “secret” filler.
• The Revenant Maduro features a filler blend of a Dominican hybrid tobacco called T-13, Nicaraguan tobacco, and Broadleaf.

The history of Gurkha cigars is one that could easily inspire endless discussion. People tend to either love or dislike the brand, with very little middle ground. One reason for this is undoubtedly the polarizing reputation of founder Kaizad Hansotia. Toward the end of the 2010s, he faced significant backlash on social media over allegedly inappropriate political and racist remarks, ultimately leading him to officially step away from the company's day-to-day operations.

The Fascinating Evolution of Gurkha Cigars: From Goa to Global Success

It all began during a vacation on the Indian island of Goa in 1988. After discovering the brand there, Kaizad Hansotia made the spontaneous decision to acquire it. The Portuguese owners sold him both their entire cigar inventory and the trademark rights for just 143 US dollars. Originally intended as gifts for friends and business associates, the cigars quickly attracted growing interest, prompting him to turn the brand into a business. From the very beginning, Gurkha followed its own path, placing particular emphasis on distinctive, elaborate boxes and cigar bands. Over the years, the company introduced many highly unusual and ultra-premium cigars, including the €1,200 HMR His Majesty's Reserve, which continues to shape the brand's image today.