Kaizad Hansotia

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The Covert SEAL Team 6 Celebrates with Kaizad Hansotia

What did the Navy Seals Team Six do after they took down Bin Laden?

Answer.

They celebrated with the world’s greatest cigar produced by the Lord of Tobacco, Kaizad Hansotia;

Gurkha Cigars former owner and CEO Kaizad Hansotia, having a longstanding relationship with the Special Operations segments of our military released a SpecOps limited edition cigar last year, inspired by the Navy SEALs. The box of 20 sticks includes a knife and a challenge coin designed specifically for the military. Instead of a traditional cigar box, the package used is a pelican case, similar to those designed by the military to transport sensitive equipment and weapons. In this case, the fragile contents are a collection of the Gurkha Assassin, a trademarked rarity used by Gurkha Cigars for several years now. Only recently in Pakistan has the light come to shine on what the military ordinarily does quietly.

So what does SpecOps Team 6 celebrate with? A Gurkha Grand Reserve sent specially by Kaizad Hansotia, owner of Gurkha Cigars to his friends in the Navy. Gurkha has been known more recently as the world’s most expensive cigar, releasing the Black Dragon in 2007. Gurkha has the premium cigar market redefined from their $20,000 boxes of ‘HMRs’ to their special collector’s edition that demands over $150,000 for a box of cigars.

Now seen as a status symbol of luxury and the Rolls Royce of cigars, Gurkha continues to be the choice when a celebration in necessary. “Our focus has always been on exclusive, limited availability tobaccos, serving up the most unique and flavorful blends,” said Hansotia, affectionately known in the industry as ‘Kaizer.’

“When you are smoking a Gurkha you know three things: it’s expensive, it’s good, and a celebration is in order,” said Hansotia. The Gurkha brand has a long history in exclusive trade and in support of the military. Originating in India as British settlers opened trade routes; the name continues the tradition of rarities from distant lands in support of ancient warriors and today is no different. Focusing specifically on the limited and exclusive lots of cigar tobacco has caused Gurkha’s reputation to rise from a long history of premium cigars.

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Kaizad Honsotia Supports the Covert Navy Seals Foundation

Being a man of virtue and life long goals Kaizad Hansotia has always been disciplined and hardworking. His admiration for the armed forces has inspired him to create his world-famous cigar brand Gurkha Cigars. The brand highlights the famous military contingent with vivid imagery and a unique prowess and proud history that captures a great tasting cigar. That’s passion!

It’s no surprise Kaizad  and the cigar community came together to support the Navy Seals Foundation event, hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL by donating cigars and other merchandize for silent auction and raffle items.

It was a fantastic event with all proceedings going towards the Navy Seals Foundation. Sponsors included Gurkha, Drew Estate, Padilla, Oliva and Alec Bradley.

Navy Seals Team 6

So what does SpecOps Team 6 celebrate with? A Gurkha Grand Reserve sent specially by Kaizad Hansotia, Former owner of Gurkha Cigars to his friends in the Navy. Gurkha has been known more recently as the world’s most expensive cigar, releasing the Black Dragon in 2007. Gurkha has the premium cigar market redefined from their $20,000 boxes of ‘HMRs’ to their special collector’s edition that demands over $150,000 for a box of cigars.

The cigar community came together to support the Navy Seals Foundation event last night, hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL by donating cigars and other merchandise for silent auction and raffle items.

Now seen as a status symbol of luxury and the Rolls Royce of cigars, Gurkha continues to be the choice when a celebration in necessary. “Our focus has always been on exclusive, limited availability tobaccos, serving up the most unique and flavorful blends,” said Hansotia, affectionately known in the industry as ‘Kaizer.’

“When you are smoking a Gurkha you know three things: it’s expensive, it’s good, and a celebration is in order,” said Hansotia. The Gurkha brand has a long history in exclusive trade and in support of the military. Originating in India as British settlers opened trade routes; the name continues the tradition of rarities from distant lands in support of ancient warriors and today is no different. Focusing specifically on the limited and exclusive lots of cigar tobacco has caused Gurkha’s reputation to rise from a long history of premium cigars.

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Kaizad Hansotia : The Mind Of The Man Behind The Most Expensive Cigar

“When I started with cigars there was no real market for them. The most expensive cigar in those days was about $8 and that was in 1989-1990,” Kaizad Hansotia CEO of Gurkha noted.  “There was nothing high-end, super high-end and we wanted to come out with ultra-premium cigars.”

The Most Expensive Cigar Gurkha (named after Nepalese fighters who fought alongside the British in the late 1800s) traces its roots back more than 25 years. Hansotia said that when he first ventured into the field, and visited factories to get a feel, it was very interesting to see a “very pedigree-type of business from the Cubans and from the old American families also.”

Our company has seen rapid growth despite its boutique approach,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Former CEO of Gurkha Cigars. “Owning our own factory is a natural transition and the next strategic step in being able to continue to satisfy the needs of Gurkha fans worldwide.”

In a recent interview with “Cigars and Spirits” Kaizad explained his views on his roots.

I always try to stay humble in my roots and remind myself of the Gurkha soldiers when developing the brand. I constantly remind myself of military themes that coincide with our Gurkha soldier, but it is most important to remember the consumer and what drives the palate when we’re developing new cigar lines. I follow the market and research what people are talking about. I ask consumers in shops that I travel to worldwide for their input. I never sacrifice quality and the level of tobacco that we use.

I have always supported Gurkha owning our own factory,” said Juan Lopez, National Sales Director, Gurkha Cigars. “Owning our own factory allows us to have better control over quality and consistency of our product. I have no doubt that the future is bright for Gurkha.”

We visit with our factories very regularly, but also are in constant communication with them on an almost daily basis. We consider our factory partners to be like family, so we trust that they are working toward our every interest and the same goal.

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2 of the recent Charities Supported by The Most Famous Cigar Brand and Kaizad Hansotia.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to support such a worthy cause and giving back has always been a big part of the Gurkha ethos,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Chairman of Gurkha Cigar Group.

Kaizad Hansotia proudly support many other charities and organizations around the world, including the Wounded Warrior project, whose mission is raise awareness and help injured service members, and Operation-Shanti an organization focused on helping the poorest and neediest children and elderly with the basic human needs: food, shelter, medical services and educational assistance.

Kaizad Hansotia will also be supporting the Building Lives Foundation benefit concert next month in Nashville, TN featuring 3 time Grammy and 2 time American Music Award winners 3 Doors Down! Building Lives is a non-profit organization committed to assisting war veterans rebuild their lives. Gurkha Cigars is a supporter of a non-profit charity dedicated to improving the lives of children battling life-threatening medical conditions. Working in close conjunction with St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in New York. The Trump Foundation are committed to finding advance cures, research, treatment for children in need.

Having experience first had discrimination in his life even as a high performing world traveling business man. He is looking to dedicate himself to tackling the prejudice on all fronts and he is in full support of Black Lives Matter and Its cause.

Kaizad Hansotia thoughts on Black Lives Matter Movement

After an interview he mentioned a quote he had read from Marian Anderson that states

“No matter how big a nation is, it is no stronger than its weakest people, and as long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise.”

Kaizad Hansotia: “ The world needs to hear all sides of the story and more education is needed on the plight of people that has been silence and subdued for so long.” That’s why I think the black lives matter movement is important.

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The Extraordinary Life of Kaizad Hansotia

India-born, Parsi cigar baron in the US who have been giving the Cubans a run for their money, Kaizad Hansotia, makes the world his address. Born and raised in Mumbai, Hansotia moved to Hong Kong because of the demands of his import-export business. This was followed by a move to London,  before making Miami Florida his home.

Kaizad Hansotia is a hardcore own to earth man. It’s apparent even before you meet him. As the former Chairman and Founder of Gurkha, a prolific collector of fine goods, and a creative force who draws inspiration from all quarters, Hansotia has unified his passion and profession into a seamless cognac-infused continuity.

From his business roots as the 1980s U.S. grey-market source of Seiko, Citizen, and Swatch timepieces to his current status as a collector of iconic Swiss watch maisons, Hansotia’s journey reads like a roadmap for channeling boyhood dreams into adulthood realities. The notion cuts to the very core of Hansotia’s philosophy of collecting and his lifelong pursuits.

With famous clients such as Bill Clinton which enjoys the most expensive cigar in the world.

-----

Kaizad Hansotia exclaimed,

“broke no more”.

From a chance encounter that started with a Portuguese man rolling and selling cigars under the name of Gurkha. Kaizad was so fascinated by this art he decided to buy all of the man’s tobacco and entire inventory for a grand total of a whopping $149. The original plan was to use these cigars to hand out to customers as gifts for his family timepiece business. After all, who doesn’t love a good cigar, right?

Kaizad sent one of the first boxes of Gurkha Cigars to his friend who owned a duty free shop, and his customers went nuts wanting to buy more. Kaizad saw an opportunity to make money off of high-end cigars which lead him to pursue well known manufacturers in the industry to help him get started. The first person he talked to was Charlie Torano (perhaps you’ve heard of him?) and Torano cigars agreed to roll Gurkha’s first ever cigars. After this momentous occasion in the history of Gurkha cigars, a brand was born so wonderful that it even made its way to the White House in the 1990s, which will forever be part of  Oval Office history.

The pride on delivering the best, always pushing the boundaries and exploring the art of business has given Kaizad Hansotia a very unique place on in the cigar world and shaping of it’s history.

As CEO and chairman of Gurkha Cigars he has raise money for various charities which includes St. Jude children hospital along with a number of other endeavors that benefit the local and  African American community in Miami and surrounding areas.

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The Roots Of The Gurkha Cigars Brand & Brilliant Former CEO Kaizad Hansotia

“The Gurkha cigar brand has been in existence since 1887. The current incarnation of the brand has been spearheaded by Kaizad “Kaiser” Hansotia, and to understand the history of the cigar you really need to have him explain it: ‘When the British Trading Company in Jamaica first created the cigars, British sailors stored them in empty rum barrels to preserve freshness. Over time, the vapors infused them with just the most subtle hint of rum. Since then, the Gurkha name has been in continuous operation, gaining a reputation for performance and exclusivity.’

“In 1989, Kaiser found himself in Goa, India, having a rather curious conversation with a pair of Portugese brothers who were rolling Gurkha cigars on the beach. Intrigued by the thought of offering these unique cigars as gifts to his business friends, former CEO Kaizad Hansotia asked the brothers what it would cost to buy out their entire inventory and the Gurkha name as well. After some negotiating, Kaiser became the new proprietor of the long-standing Gurkha cigar brand. The final cost of this transaction? $143. As it turns out, Kaizad is a good negotiator.”

[kaizadhansotia]

The Roots Of The Gurkha Cigars Brand & Brilliant Former CEO Kaizad Hansotia

“The Gurkha cigar brand has been in existence since 1887. The current incarnation of the brand has been spearheaded by Kaizad “Kaiser” Hansotia, and to understand the history of the cigar you really need to have him explain it: ‘When the British Trading Company in Jamaica first created the cigars, British sailors stored them in empty rum barrels to preserve freshness. Over time, the vapors infused them with just the most subtle hint of rum. Since then, the Gurkha name has been in continuous operation, gaining a reputation for performance and exclusivity.’

“In 1989, Kaiser found himself in Goa, India, having a rather curious conversation with a pair of Portugese brothers who were rolling Gurkha cigars on the beach. Intrigued by the thought of offering these unique cigars as gifts to his business friends, former CEO Kaizad Hansotia asked the brothers what it would cost to buy out their entire inventory and the Gurkha name as well. After some negotiating, Kaiser became the new proprietor of the long-standing Gurkha cigar brand. The final cost of this transaction? $143. As it turns out, Kaizad is a good negotiator.”