Larger ring gauges are coming back in style, at least according to Carlos Llaca-Toraño, vice president of international sales at Gurkha Cigars. That’s why they launched a new line at the PCA this year called Fatboy, and now they’re taking it to the rest of the world.
“Fatboy is kind of a fun take on cigars with larger ring gauges,” he says. “We’ve seen the international market grow in ring gauge sizes, from the traditionally small to larger ones, so Fatboy was a logical extension for us.”
The cigar is introduced internationally at this year’s InterTabac and it comes in three sizes; 4 x 60, 5 x 66 and 6 x 66 in boxes of 20.
“I think the consumers are more educated and willing to try different things nowadays. Social media probably plays a big role in this. People want to try what happens in the US.”
He describes it as a medium body cigar, or medium plus depending on palate.
“It’s very smooth and the larger ring gauges make them an easy draw, with earthy tones and some spiciness from the Nicaraguan tobacco.”
Besides the Fatboy, Gurkha is also introducing a new and rebranded sampler pack for the Ghost line featuring two cigars each of Ghost Silver, Gold and Connecticut, as well as a limited edition humidor.
“It’s emerald green and there are only 500 made,” he says. “They’re all numbered and they come with 50 Gurkha Heritage Kingsmen.”
