Being a cigar-lover can feel a little like belonging to a secret club at times.
Even in New York or London, visitors must know the spots (Martinez and TomTom’s) selling the finest; where connoisseurs, such as Jesus Martinez and Tom Assheton, are on hand to give tip-top advice; where cohorts of those faithful to the woody, nutty and creamy symphonies of smoke congregate to exchange bitchy opinions (such as whether sticking to Monterey’s Epicure No.2 is babyish or not) on the topic du jour.
This is slowly changing, however. Asia has been the fastest growing region for cigar market growth for the past decade and Indonesian companies (Perkebunan Nusantara for instance) are fast harnessing the profits. So, setting big, expensive hotels as well as tambo-sellers aside, it’s time to celebrate the rise of the not-so-humble-cuban-cigar and look at where your average Wayan can get his hands on a cheeky Siglo VI.
1. Bali Barber, Kuta
Putting the old back in old-school by offering everything from cutthroat shaves to beard-trimming, from massages to manicures, all in retro-trendy wood ‘n’ leather settings, Bali Barber really catapults its services into the premier league of groomers by offering up its cigar collection to customers. Even better, if you remember to give the chaps enough notice, they take cigar requests!
Bali Barber
Jl. Benesari, Kuta
0811 362 861
2. Ary’s Warung, Ubud
The ever-contemporary Ary’s in central Ubud has a very bijou cigar selection, from petit coronas like the woody Siglo I to the super-smooth Partagas Series D no.4. Among the cuties, however, is a rather more serious smoke, a Montecristo No. 2. Big, powerful and spicy, this is a number to pull out only after the biggest of meals or the strongest of ristrettos.
Ary’s Warung
Jl. Raya Ubud
+62 361 975053
3. Chandi, Seminyak
A place for the slick and glam crowd with its backlit walls and exotic bas reliefs, Chandi doesn’t just serve delicacies for foodies, but delights for cigar aficionados too. The proud owners of Cohiba’s Siglo VI, a complex cigar with strong earthy notes that ages beautifully, the restaurant also sells the dark chocolatey Arturo Fuente Don Carlos – just remember it’s wrapped in the Cameroon leaf so you don’t go smoking the wrapper like a wally.
Chandi
Jl. Kayu Aya no. 72, Seminyak
+62 361 731 060
4. Ku De Ta, Seminyak
A paean to sophistication (and scenesters looking deliriously bored) Ku De Ta is where the sunset smudges, the music slowly crescendos and the cocktails get ever brasher. But to keep things imperiously chilled request the cigar menu, which boasts everything from the mini Romeo y Julieta Club – perfect for her – all the way up to the Cohiba Esplendido for almost Rp 700k. This grassy 7 inch beast, one of the most sought after cigars in the world, was originally made for Castro himself – hence the hefty price tag.
Ku De Ta
Jl. Kayu Aya no. 9, Seminyak
+62 361 736969
