Am I nuts? Are some Carlos Torano's and Ghurka's the same?

[Kenyth]

I've noticed a striking similarity between the Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroon's and the Ghurka Grand Envoy's. Both are Cameroon wrapped, the same unusual size, the same color, packaged the same with a cedar sleeve, and taste the same.

The Exodus 1959 and the Ghurka Regent also seem very similar to me. Box pressed, same size, close color wrapper, flavor, etc.


I also just had a Ghurka Vintage that reminded me of a CT Casa Torano!


Am I imagining things here? Am I nuts?

[Stryprod]

I had both and I thought they were slightly different from the notes I have but I am new to this hobby so don't take my word. I also had the CT in the humi for almost a month but not the Gurk. Hopefully someone else will chime in!

[bigpoppapuff]

i'm pretty sure that torano makes alot (if not all) of gurkha's...so...they probably are the same...

[nhcigarfan]

i'm pretty sure that torano makes alot (if not all) of gurkha's...so...they probably are the same...

Bigpoppa is dead on, torano makes gurkhas.

[nhcigarfan]

Oh yeah, you're nuts, but for other reasons.

[Kenyth]

Oh yeah, you're nuts, but for other reasons.

Oh yeah! You betcha! Second marriage, second child, and I don't drink near enough! Nuttier than a shithouse rat I'd say!

[JHarri31]

Bigpoppa is dead on, torano makes gurkhas.

I just did some quick price comparisons and noted that the Gurkhas are about $1 more per stick. Any reasons as to why?

[jaewing]

Torano and Gurkha arew made by the same people. I would not be surprised to find out that they use the same molds to shape/press the cigars of both brands. However, I have had many many Toranos and Gurkhas and while there are similarities they are not the same. Especially the Regent and the Exodus. In fact I could tell them apart in a blind tasting.

Anyway that is my .02

[Kenyth]

Torano and Gurkha arew made by the same people. I would not be surprised to find out that they use the same molds to shape/press the cigars of both brands. However, I have had many many Toranos and Gurkhas and while there are similarities they are not the same. Especially the Regent and the Exodus. In fact I could tell them apart in a blind tasting.

Anyway that is my .02

That explains a lot. I know I smoked the two Cameroons on consecutive days and they were dead on with each other to me.

I suppose I could have done a little research myself, but the answer wouldn't have been anywhere near as fun without smart-ass comments from the likes of Nhcigarfan!

[nhcigarfan]

I just did some quick price comparisons and noted that the Gurkhas are about $1 more per stick. Any reasons as to why?

cost of packaging, bands, possibly some marketing reason. Probably along a price-break marketing thing.

Kinda like coors light and keystone light. Same beer, same cans, different paint on the cans, different price.

Coors and Coors light are in the Bud and Bud light price market.

Coors didn't have a beer in the Bush beer price level market so they just changed the name and paint on coors light and cut the price.

Difference of 3 bucks a twelve pack here in NH.

If you don't believe me, get a can of both, leave the room, have someone pour them into glasses and have a taste test. It's the same beer.

[Kenyth]

cost of packaging, bands, possibly some marketing reason. Probably along a price-break marketing thing.

Kinda like coors light and keystone light. Same beer, same cans, different paint on the cans, different price.

Coors and Coors light are in the Bud and Bud light price market.

Coors didn't have a beer in the Bush beer price level market so they just changed the name and paint on coors light and cut the price.

Difference of 3 bucks a twelve pack here in NH.

If you don't believe me, get a can of both, leave the room, have someone pour them into glasses and have a taste test. It's the same beer.

You wouldn't believe the folks who would say different. I know I drink Bush and Key for that very reason. I do seem to detect a slight difference between Bud and Bush, though it may be my imagination. I wonder if they use less hops in the Bush beer, or if they just can off-tasting batches as Bush?

[Desert Rat]

I just did some quick price comparisons and noted that the Gurkhas are about $1 more per stick. Any reasons as to why?

cost of packaging, bands, possibly some marketing reason. Probably along a price-break marketing thing.

I agree with nhfan. Torano is quite the marketer, he also rolls CAO.

Nothing wrong with that, its good buisness, but a cynic like myself wonders if these guys are focused more on the quality of cigars or the marketing of cigars.