Best Current Duty-Free (Dubai?) buys? Alcohol

[Derboesekoenig]

I'll be spending 2 weeks in Bali, Indonesia, in a few days, transiting through DXB. I'm bringing plenty of cigars, but want something to sip on while I'm there, so as to save $$. Or at least drinks before going out. Maybe just 1 or 2 bottles. What would you buy? My tastes vary wildly. I tend to enjoy everything. So something that sips well and pairs well with cigars is a plus.

[rckymtn22]

According to Indonesian customs you can bring 50 cigars and 1 litre of alcohol per person

[Derboesekoenig]

Damn it. Ok 50 is plenty...should be 1.5L. I'll try and find out. 2 bottles is plenty

[Head83]

I was there this summer on my honeymoon.  I definitely suggest bringing in your own alcohol.  The sin tax on booze in Bali was pretty significant.  I also suggest not buying any cigars at the duty free in Bali, I messed up on the conversion and ended up paying a whole lot more than what I thought I was for 3x HU Mag 52s.  Unless your coming from Oz, the prices here are far less than what you will find there and the selection was lacking.   

[Derboesekoenig]

I'll be coming from Dubai. I'll bring enough for 3 cigars a day, even though I know I won't smoke that many. I'll try and get by with 2 bottles. 

If you're flying Emirates and pass through DXB, I highly recommend you at least through the cigars...huge lot of aged and ERs. Just open the boxes before purchase!

[KavalanWhisky]

5 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I'll be spending 2 weeks in Bali, Indonesia, in a few days, transiting through DXB. I'm bringing plenty of cigars, but want something to sip on while I'm there, so as to save $$. Or at least drinks before going out. Maybe just 1 or 2 bottles. What would you buy? My tastes vary wildly. I tend to enjoy everything. So something that sips well and pairs well with cigars is a plus.

I was going to say I remember the cigar prices in Dubai being very competitive but looks like you're covered for that. Regarding alcohol have you tried Ron Zacapa XO, great rum imho and awesome pairing with a lot of cigars. I also like most dark rums if they don't have Zacapa.

I love Bali, where are you staying? If you're in Seminyak you have to try this Coffee shop called Revolver, they have an awesome smoking room in the back and pretty good coffee and decor. Also try the tasting menu at Bikini.

 

[Derboesekoenig]

Staying at an Airbnb that is directly on Bingin Beach, but i'll grab a scooter for the two weeks to explore. Haven't tried the Zacapa. I've heard good things though. I'll look into it, thanks!

I've scouted out the coffee shops and Revolver is on my list! Haven't heard of Bikini, but will check it out as well. Thanks for the suggestions!

[KavalanWhisky]

45 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Staying at an Airbnb that is directly on Bingin Beach, but i'll grab a scooter for the two weeks to explore. Haven't tried the Zacapa. I've heard good things though. I'll look into it, thanks!

I've scouted out the coffee shops and Revolver is on my list! Haven't heard of Bikini, but will check it out as well. Thanks for the suggestions!

Bikini is about 6/7min walk from Revolver, Basically its Sisterfields in the Day and then Bikini at night. There is also Bossman Burgers next door.

All highly recommended.

Also an amazing meal I had was in https://www.kaum.com/ it's the restaurant above potato head beach club. One of the best indonesian meals i've had in Bali and they have a massive deck outside for smoking overlooking the beach and sea.

[Derboesekoenig]

12 hours ago, KavalanWhisky said:

Bikini is about 6/7min walk from Revolver, Basically its Sisterfields in the Day and then Bikini at night. There is also Bossman Burgers next door.

All highly recommended.

Also an amazing meal I had was in https://www.kaum.com/ it's the restaurant above potato head beach club. One of the best indonesian meals i've had in Bali and they have a massive deck outside for smoking overlooking the beach and sea.

I'll hit them all up. Thanks! I didn't realize my Airbnb was so far south. I might split the days and get a different airbnb up north. I'll have to look. I'm way down near Bingin and Dreamland beaches.

[BrightonCorgi]

Dubai has a good duty free for cigars and let you pick through them.  Was good quality selection and price last time I went there.

[KavalanWhisky]

40 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I'll hit them all up. Thanks! I didn't realize my Airbnb was so far south. I might split the days and get a different airbnb up north. I'll have to look. I'm way down near Bingin and Dreamland beaches.

Yes it's normally pretty chill and quiet down south. A good beach club to visit is Sunday's beach club right on the tip down south. 

Crazy night lift is Kuta and a bit further up is Seminyak which is a mix of party And fancier restaurants and coffee places. 

Try waterbom the water park is pretty fun as well.

Check out a day visit to Nusa penida or Gili Islands but think Gili was hit recently with the earthquakes so not sure if they have rebuilt yet. 

[Derboesekoenig]

39 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Dubai has a good duty free for cigars and let you pick through them.  Was good quality selection and price last time I went there.

Especially if you hit Emirates terminal. Every terminal usually has a pretty good selection, but Emirates has the best selection. Just have to pick through to find a good box. I'm there at least 3-4 times per year.

I was looking at Nusa Penida, Gili, and Lembongan. Will try for at least one of those on my trip. From what I understand, the earthquakes/tsunami left most of bali and surrounding area alone. It was about 300-400 miles away that got affected most by it.

[BrightonCorgi]

On 11/2/2018 at 12:30 PM, Derboesekoenig said:

Especially if you hit Emirates terminal...

That's the only terminal I have been to at that airport.

[KavalanWhisky]

Guess i need an excuse to route through Dubai for my next trip home. 

[Derboesekoenig]

Umm yes. You you do. There are always interesting finds. Just went through on my way to Denpasar. Couldn't help myself...

I picked up 1 box of Bolivar Byblos ER, 2 boxes of RA La Palmera, 1 box of beautiful RG Panatelas Extras from 2010, and a 5 pack of Cohiba Coronas Especiales.

You have to look through everything. You'll find boxes from 2000-2018. Crazy.

Oh and a bottle of La Flor de Cana 25 year

Oh and I went to JBR LCDH and wow. Mind blown. That's another story. I got to smoke something i've been wanting for awhile. Picked up boxes where you just can't find anywhere. I'll have to post that another time...this is where all the discontinued stock is. Absolutely nuts

[rguinn]

If you can find any of the international only (not sold in the U.S) Blanton’s I’d say those are a safe bet. Straight from the Barrel, Gold label and the Asia only green label would all be excellent choices if you like bourbon whiskey. 

[KavalanWhisky]

7 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Umm yes. You you do. There are always interesting finds. Just went through on my way to Denpasar. Couldn't help myself...

I picked up 1 box of Bolivar Byblos ER, 2 boxes of RA La Palmera, 1 box of beautiful RG Panatelas Extras from 2010, and a 5 pack of Cohiba Coronas Especiales.

You have to look through everything. You'll find boxes from 2000-2018. Crazy.

Oh and a bottle of La Flor de Cana 25 year

Oh and I went to JBR LCDH and wow. Mind blown. That's another story. I got to smoke something i've been wanting for awhile. Picked up boxes where you just can't find anywhere. I'll have to post that another time...this is where all the discontinued stock is. Absolutely nuts

Wow sounds like an amazing trip and that's just in Duty free....well I'm working out trips for next year and so will definitely try to wangle a flight on emirates.

[Derboesekoenig]

I got harrassed by customs in Denpasar...not surprisingly. I get singled out everywhere i go. Luckily after some time, the guy just let me go...after taking one of my boxes. Oh well, he let me choose which. No worries

[KavalanWhisky]

16 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I got harrassed by customs in Denpasar...not surprisingly. I get singled out everywhere i go. Luckily after some time, the guy just let me go...after taking one of my boxes. Oh well, he let me choose which. No worries

Wow that's nuts! Touch wood I've never been hassled when going through customs, glad it wasn't too bad.

Hope you get to relax and enjoy Bali, definitely recommend checking out Seminyak as plenty of places to smoke and try the Luwak coffee! 

Let me know if you need a referral for a driver to take you around for day trips, I have a real trusted guy that was referred by many people off Reddit.  Eddie the Bali fixer. 500k per day and will take you out on many different day trips 

[cupopizza]

On 11/5/2018 at 3:00 PM, Derboesekoenig said:

Umm yes. You you do. There are always interesting finds. Just went through on my way to Denpasar. Couldn't help myself...

I picked up 1 box of Bolivar Byblos ER, 2 boxes of RA La Palmera, 1 box of beautiful RG Panatelas Extras from 2010, and a 5 pack of Cohiba Coronas Especiales.

You have to look through everything. You'll find boxes from 2000-2018. Crazy.

Oh and a bottle of La Flor de Cana 25 year

Oh and I went to JBR LCDH and wow. Mind blown. That's another story. I got to smoke something i've been wanting for awhile. Picked up boxes where you just can't find anywhere. I'll have to post that another time...this is where all the discontinued stock is. Absolutely nuts

Wow! I had no idea such a thing existed. I'm not well traveled, and have never been outside the U.S. except for crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders. That sounds like Charlie in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory to me!. I feel like I live under a rock.

[Derboesekoenig]

I bought 2 boxes of La Corona. About $100usd for one, and 90 for the other. Bought some Punch Churchill tubos, bolivar #1 tubos, a box of Bolivar coronas extras, and i smoked a bolivar coronas gigantes while i was there. 

But i didnt anticipate any of this. I was extremely overwhelmed. I brought cigars already....and i'll be heading back to Afghanistan. So i can't buy too much.

That being said, i'll probably be coming back here just for the cigars at some point. Literally had every single discontinued cigar from the 90s onward. I didnt even know what to get or pick out. Some was overpriced but for the most part, prices were reasonable for a lot they had. Just need to look at the cigars before you buy