Micro-Batch is a phenomenal addition to the Gurkha line featuring the most rare and limited tobaccos Kaizad Hansotia has ever used in any of his blends, making it one of the most exclusive cigars available in the Gurkha lineup.

Gurkha cigars are famous for Kaizad’s use of fine, aged, limited tobaccos – so much so that even the most elite individuals in the world thoroughly enjoy the Gurkha brand. However, Micro-Batch raises the bar even further in regard to limited availability, as each cigar in this line contains ultra-rare tobaccos grown on small lots yielding no more than 50,000 cigars per size. In addition, Kaizad Hansotia not only decided to utilize these extraordinary tobaccos to create Micro-Batch, but also carefully blended each lot to fit a specific size in order to produce some of the hardest to find cigars on the market. Since each size contains a blend of tobaccos chosen specifically to fill each shape, the flavors and aromas produced create an unbelievably unique and enjoyable medium to full-bodied experience with an unmatched balance.

Gurkha Micro-Batch is available in four options, with each utilizing a different blend of tobaccos tailored specifically for each particular size. TPB-1 comes encased in a 6.5" x 44 frame in a box-pressed format and remains spicy with light notes of sugarcane. VH-7 contains a more complex blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran ligero tobaccos in a 6" x 50 parejo shape for a smooth medium to full-bodied experience. C-10 sports a beautiful Ecuadorian grown Connecticut wrapper and features smooth nuances of cedar with hints of nuts on the finish. To complete the line, S-2 features a spicy blend of Nicaraguan Corojo, Honduran Corojo, and Cubana Piloto tobaccos bound by an Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf, expelling hints of red pepper with coffee-like nuances and a semi-sweet earthy finish.

Q: Do cigars and cigarettes share the same type of tobacco?

A: No, in fact they are far different. Cigars and cigarettes are completely different products grown in completely different ways and affect the palate and body differently as well. The tobacco grown for use in cigars is simply 100% tobacco. The leaves do not contain non-tobacco products and are naturally aged and fermented without having any extra additives or impurities introduced to the blend. Most cigarettes contain only about 50% pure tobacco with the rest of the blend consisting of chopped up stems, shredded paper, and left over tobacco scraps. Cigarette tobaccos are not fermented, which is another major difference between the two. When cigar tobaccos are cured and fermented, they lose much of their nicotine content and many of the unhealthy toxins or carcinogenic qualities associated with “smoking” in general. Cigarette tobaccos contain many of these impurities and many cigarette manufacturers actually add further impurities, such as nicotine, to give them more addicting qualities. In fact, cigarettes are made to cause addiction with no focus on quality or flavor whereas cigars are made to be a tasty, enjoyable experience and this fact can be proven when closely examining and then comparing the creation process of both.

Nica Libre is a great everyday value crafted by hand in Nicaragua and comes in a box-pressed format, creating a rich and elegant experience at an affordable price.

Fans of Padron should enjoy this cigar since it encapsulates the same flavors without the high price point, so it works as a great alternative to Padron. We enjoy this blend around the office as an everyday go-to cigar since it's rich, smooth, flavorful, well constructed and maintains an enjoyable aroma.

Rolled with a dark, oily San Andres maduro wrapper (almost identical to the wrapper used on Padron’s Anniversary Maduro), Nica Libre contains a balanced blend of Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos all secured by a toothy Habano binder. You’ll experience toasty nuances of earth and cedar with sweet notes in the finish and some natural flavors of espresso and coffee. The finish is hearty and memorable while the draw is effortless. This medium-bodied blend will not disappoint any maduro fan searching for a premium, box-pressed cigar at a bargain price.

Imperial (6" x 54) Burned slow and even but still maintained a great draw. Earthy nuances were abundant with a light sweet character. Easily will last 70 minutes. Strength increased towards the head. 90/100 [Buy Now]

Torpedo (6" x 52) Complexities between coffee and cocoa exist throughout with a unique earthy note that remained on the palate once extinguished. Incredibly smooth. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Exclusivo (5.5" x 50) Robust at first before opening up into a pleasant medium body. Featured a rich character and perfect to enjoy for about 40 minutes after dinner. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Diplomatico (7" x 50) Burned slow but with a tight draw. Spice was easily noticable from start to finish as the character developed and became stronger inch by inch. Save some time to enjoy this one. 88/100 [Buy Now]

Principe (4.5" x 46) A great 30 minute cigar. Incredibly potent with a rich, chocolately character. Lost points for burning too hot and slightly uneven. 87/100 [Buy Now]

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami - If you’re an enthusiast who prefers full-bodied blends, then you need not look any further than Artesanos. Named one of the Top 25 Cigars of the Year, the blend also earned a 92 rating by Cigar Aficionado.

Nica Libre - A great, everyday value crafted by hand in Nicaragua and comes in a box-pressed format, creating a rich and elegant experience at a pauper's price.

Carlos Torano Dominico - A quality bundled cigar produced by the world-renowned Torano family, so expect the same in quality and consistency as you would with any other Torano cigar, but at half the price!

Bucanero Red - A Nicaraguan handmade featuring a light spicy flavor, Bucanero Red is a great choice for the price, as it is well-constructed and non-offensive.

08/05/2009: Kim and Tim (or is it Tim and Kim?) take a closer look at the differences between mold and plume. First CCOM Video Show to feature 3D, High Def, IMAX, and surround sound. Oh wait, none of that is true, except for the part about mold and plume. Enjoy! [Listen Now]

There are many factors to look at when determining why a cigar is a "limited." Most manufacturers, at some point, have released a cigar as a "Limited Edition" and most likely also attached a hefty price tag to the blend. Although it may seem that using the term "limited" is simply a method to generate sales, most cigars deemed "limited" usually really are.

Tobacco is a living plant and to produce more it must be grown. However, many factors affect the growing process such as weather, location, and the nutrients in the soil. With that in mind, it is an incredible feat to produce the same cigar using the same blend from year to year. If a cigar maker creates a cigar using tobacco from a particular crop, and the crop changes due to weather conditions, disease, or improper care, then the chances of that same blend being recreated are very slim. Therefore, the original blend of that cigar would be limited, especially if it was a well-made stick.

Secondly, the age of a cigar drastically affects how limited a blend can be. Most manufacturers tend to age their cigars for at least 1-3 months before shipping to retailers. However, some may develop a great blend and age it for 5 years or more before releasing it to the public. The more a cigar ages, the more limited and premium it becomes since cigars only improve with proper aging.

Finally, the type of tobacco used in a cigar affects how limited it will be, in addition to its shape. Some tobacco can only be grown in specific areas of the world and would not survive in any other place. Other types of tobacco may not have a high yield. In other words, the plant does not produce many leaves. If these tobaccos are used to blend a cigar, obviously not many can be created. Also, some cigars are rolled using multiple wrapper leaves in addition to having unique shapes. These blends can only be assembled by the top torcedors in a factory. If a factory only has 2 to 4 people who can create a specific look, size, or shape, then that will drastically affect how many cigars can be produced in a given year.

If a cigar is labeled as a “Limited Edition,” that does not necessarily guarantee it is a great cigar, even if the price is extremely high. The manufacturer may have put some extra work into that particular blend, but enjoying cigars all boils down to each enthusiast’s personal preferences. Some may prefer rare, limited sticks while others simply do not, which is why many find the art of cigar tasting so enjoyable.