Expensive cigars in Singapore?

[Reevzy]

I'm heading to Singapore again this year for the F1 and I'm meeting up with my cousin from Wales, looking forward to it, especially booking a table in the Bar and Billiards room at the Raffles hotel.

I want to check out the cigar shop(s) as well but reading these forums I have the understanding that cigars are expensive in Singapore.

Can anyone give me an idea on just how expensive they are?

I do plan on spoiling myself with something fancy unless it'll cost an arm.

[baragh]

Roughly around the same prices as buying at B&M's in Australia I think. That night was a bit of a blur though so I don't remember too well. Can we post B&M singles prices here?

[CaptainQuintero]

I've a good friend there, the prices are on par with the UK from what he says so £16 / $25 for a monte 2

[baragh]

Was about 50SGD for my cohiba corona especiales. But that was in a cigar bar so perhaps the shops are slightly cheaper.

[frito]

Unfortunately, shops are expensive too, mostly due to the $352/kg duties and 7% tax.I last saw abox of cohiba clubs going for SG$80+ at shops.

but you can pick out singles at the shops and NC cigars are quite affordable.

The only place cheaper than the shops would be at the airport terminal 2, you can get it when you leave Singapore I saw a box of siglo VI going for SG$900+ at the airport duty free 3 days back. I would suggest you could be a bottle of whisky and some beers in the "DFS" shop just after you clear customs at the airport before you pickup your language. That would be the only thing cheap and worth buying, you can enjoy your drinks with your fellow mates in the hotel.

I would suggest bringing your own cigars if you want to, but try not to exceed 400grms as you will need a permit.

Another option would be to order from Di and have them post to me, I can pay the duties on your behalf first and it will just cost you a stick for this service...

btw, do book your Bar and Billiards room early, its really packed everywhere in SG during F1 season

[sengjc]

I was in Singapore last month and the shops were averaging around $40-$60 for the typical cigars that I would smoke.

Add about $10 if at the cigar bars.

One tip: go non-regular production and higher end sticks. I think the Singaporean customs charge a hefty duty on tobacco by weight so it is more worth it to go high-end.

[Reevzy]

Fair enough, thanks guys

As I'm not a big smoker, I don't think I'll be bringing any of my own over (not that I have much in the way of stock )

I do plan on spoiling myself with something expensive, I'm on the hunt for Monte 2 GR's if I can find em.

No doubt I'll have no problems throwing cash at plush expenditures while overseas, I always bring way too much money every time I go somewhere. Top shelf Cognac and cigars the whole way baby!!!

[frito]

you can try

The Olde Cuban is located at:

2 Trengganu Street, #02-01

Singapore 058456

+65 6222 2207

or

The Connoisseur Divan is located at:

#01-62 UE Square,

207 River Valley Road,

Singapore 238275

+65 6733 7141

They are the most likely bet that they might have a Monte GR's, maby you can give them a call

[sengjc]

I had a smoke with a fellow BOTL at the Connoisseur Divan at UE Square during the trip to Singapore last month.

Terrific atmosphere, excellent service, a wide range of smokes (aged and new, regionals and limiteds) and they have a fine selection of malt whisky available by the glass.

[baragh]

Yep I've been a couple of times to the Olde Cuban - nice place and good range (I had an RA 898 there and a Dip 1)

[Coloniales]

If you want the best selection, La Casa Cubana is the best @ The Regent Hotel. Ask for Jimmy if he is around. If you buy a few, he may cut yo a small discount :-)

Keith

[Nino]

If you want the best selection, La Casa Cubana is the best @ The Regent Hotel. Ask for Jimmy if he is around. If you buy a few, he may cut yo a small discount :-)

Keith

Keith has it right ... :-) - that's the best place ever in S'pore !

.

[Habana Mike]

In addition to the above, you can also find a nice selection at the Connoisseur Emporium in the Marina Bay Link Mall, right around the corner from the Marina Sands. Like the Divan it is owned by PCC.

Cigars in Singapore are expensive and you're 'supposed' to pay duty and GST on any you bring in.

[ZinZan]

Keith has it right ... :-) - that's the best place ever in S'pore !

.

X3. The best cigar and single malt selection in the world, if not a least this side of the world.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Reevzy]

Well it was a long time coming but I finally went to Singapore for the F1 and I might say that it was one of the best bloody times of my life.

I made it to the Raffles hotel all suited up for fun and had a great lunch and finished it off with a Behike 52 and a couple of glasses of Cognac.

I won't say what the bill came to

On our very last day there on Tuesday, I accidentally discovered The Olde Cuban above the seafood restaurant where we'd been drinking a few days before (and last year). So we had a lovely time there with the elusive Monte 2 GR that I'd been chasing and a few glasses of Cognac and a few glasses of whiskey and a few glasses of...... etc.

I won't say what the bill came to

The race days themselves were just insane, I posed for a lot of photos, I took a lot of photos.

I ended up on my own after the race on Sunday for the massive street party, then a strip club more or less then as I was walking back to my hotel was fed six free tequila shots from a girl from Adelaide and a Spanish man who threatened to punch me in the face if I didn't do more shots.

All I was doing was asking for directions.

A great time.

[Habana Mike]

Sounds like you had a great time!

I also found the Olde Cuban last time I was there. Funny story in that the first time I went looking for it in Chinatown the old GPS just wasn't up to the maze of streests and while I am sure I walked by it a half dozen times, never found it.

Anyway, once I was home and going through the photos I shot, lo and behold in the background right below the sign for black pepper and chilli crabs at the restaurant on the corner, there was the sign for the Olde Cuban!

Needless to say it was no problem getting to it next go round. Was quiet that night but a nice 'inexpensive for SIngapore?' place to enjoy a smoke and a drink.

[ZinZan]

The Singapore GP is probably one the best F1 events. Its a real party.

[Fuzz]

Real bummer I had to leave Sg the week before the F1. Next time I'm getting my bro to comp me a room at MBS (though at a constant 99% occupancy, might be hard).

[Reevzy]

And the women in that country!

I don't know if it's like that all the time or everyone has come out of the woodwork for the race but it was just ridiculous!

[ZinZan]

Fuzz, you have to book early as in early part of the year, its not impossible. And get the city view, you get the view of the race.

Yeah the ladies, i think its extra special during the GP. The days leading up to the race the whole city is abuzz with so many events. I've been to Melbourne GP and of course KL GP cant compete with Singapore as an event. As a race different kettle of fish.

[Fuzz]

Fuzz, you have to book early as in early part of the year, its not impossible. And get the city view, you get the view of the race.

Yeah the ladies, i think its extra special during the GP. The days leading up to the race the whole city is abuzz with so many events. I've been to Melbourne GP and of course KL GP cant compete with Singapore as an event. As a race different kettle of fish.

You'd think that when you have a bro who is one of the top Asia Pacific execs at the Sands Casino Group, I could get a room easier.... then I found out his office is in the basement! They apparently forgot to build offices for the execs!

[ZinZan]

Oh wow! I thought that kind of cock ups are usually reserved for Malaysian projects.

[Fuzz]

Nope. You'd never believe it, but the sewer/water pipes run through the staff office. The first month my bro was there he couldn't believe that anyone would accept those kind of working conditions. Nobody thought of installing air purifiers/freshners and de-humidifiers, which is really odd for ex-pats and especially Singaporeans.