Bangkok cigar lounge visit (and smoking two cigars in parallel)

[EasternPromises]

The missus and I just got back from a 4N5D trip to Bangkok (our first since COVID). It was a great trip filled with wonderful people, good food, way too many steps (we averaged 20k a day) and just a much needed break overall.

While in Bangkok, I managed to sneak in a post-dinner visit to a cigar lounge run by a major distributor in one of the 5-star hotels on the main strip. I ordered a RyJ Short Churchill (one of my favourite cigars) and sat back to enjoy a relaxing evening. When the cigar arrived, however, it was incredibly soft and spongy and was clearly over-humidified. I’m a guest in their city so didn’t make a big fuss out of it and figured if this stick is over-humidified, the chances are the other cigars in the humidor are likely to be likewise. I was also not about to get up and trek to another cigar lounge as I had actually just come from another lounge where the depressing and unfriendly vibe (odd for Bangkok!) was only surpassed by the dismal cigar list (and prices!). 

The cigar sommelier (or whatever you call the guy) also did not cut or light the cigar but simply handed it to me on a tray with a lighter and a set of cigar scissors - not a big deal but also not typical of the cigar experience at most hotel-based cigar lounges in Asia. Snipping the cap confirmed how overhumidified the cigar was when the entire head of the cigar visibly compressed under the shears. After seeing this, my expectations for the cigar were low…yet after smoking it, it was perfectly fine and actually probably had more of the characteristic RyJ flavours out of all of the RyJ cigars I’ve had in the last 12 months. Very enjoyable cigar and if I had to rate it, I’d say 90-91. 

This, however, isn’t the point of this post. While sitting in the lounge, I observed a gent come in and light up a long, skinny stick. From the band and vitola, it looked like a Montecristo Joyita. Thinking nothing of it, I went back to my iPad and my cigar. Ten minutes later, I happen to look up and I see him puffing away on a thick ring gauge HdM (presumably a Rio Seco or San Juan). Looking at his table, I see the Joyita half-finished sitting in his ashtray. Interesting, but OK...back to my iPad. A few minutes later, I glance his way again and he’s back to puffing on the Joyita and now it’s the Hoyo sitting forlornly in the ashtray. Over the next 20 minutes or so, the gent goes back and forth between the two sticks while scrolling on his phone. He didn’t seem to be taking notes or doing anything else that might suggest he was conducting some kind of review or taste test experiment so I could only surmise that this was nothing out of the ordinary and perhaps part of his usual Saturday night smoking routine.

While I’m no cigar veteran, in all my years of smoking, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone smoking two cigars in parallel. But, when I take a step back and think about, I’m also kinda surprised that I haven’t seen it before and half-tempted to try it myself! So my question for the forum is:

a) have you ever smoked two cigars in parallel and why?

b) did you enjoy the experience and would you do it again?

[Redgoldband]

Following…


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[JohnS]

It's certainly not a common occurrence within or hobby, no. I did manage to find just one similar thread on the subject from five years ago below:

[RDB]

I’ll often swap cigars back and forth with a smoking buddy. And if I’m sharing different cigars with a group I sometimes end up smoking several in parallel.

I am an open minded sort of guy…

[Wookie]

I think for high-end cigars it muddles the palate too much. But for lesser sticks I do it, especially when the first one I light is depressing so I light another.

Also do it when a good one is plugged.

[SUP8333]

Just wanted to highlight you can reject the cigars, considering the prices they charge in BKK, I've done so on many occasions and it is completely acceptable. I like to pick my own too, just ask to be shown where they keep them and pick yours. 

[Uwiik]

On 7/20/2024 at 12:57 PM, EasternPromises said:

While in Bangkok, I managed to sneak in a post-dinner visit to a cigar lounge run by a major distributor in one of the 5-star hotels on the main strip. I ordered a RyJ Short Churchill (one of my favourite cigars) and sat back to enjoy a relaxing evening. When the cigar arrived, however, it was incredibly soft and spongy and was clearly over-humidified. I’m a guest in their city so didn’t make a big fuss out of it and figured if this stick is over-humidified, the chances are the other cigars in the humidor are likely to be likewise. I was also not about to get up and trek to another cigar lounge as I had actually just come from another lounge where the depressing and unfriendly vibe (odd for Bangkok!) was only surpassed by the dismal cigar list (and prices!). 

The cigar sommelier (or whatever you call the guy) also did not cut or light the cigar but simply handed it to me on a tray with a lighter and a set of cigar scissors - not a big deal but also not typical of the cigar experience at most hotel-based cigar lounges in Asia. Snipping the cap confirmed how overhumidified the cigar was when the entire head of the cigar visibly compressed under the shears. After seeing this, my expectations for the cigar were low…yet after smoking it, it was perfectly fine and actually probably had more of the characteristic RyJ flavours out of all of the RyJ cigars I’ve had in the last 12 months. Very enjoyable cigar and if I had to rate it, I’d say 90-91. 

Going to BKK soon, care to share the name of the place? Funnily enough, I experienced the same phenomenon in Dubai last year. All the sticks I bought for immediate smoking were way too wet but all were very, very enjoyable and no burn issue whatsoever.

[EasternPromises]

@Uwiik drop me a PM. I visited a few lounges in BKK and I would say it’s fairly hit and miss. My recommendation would be the LCDH at the Siam Kempinski on Sukhumvit. Good selection which they’ve documented in an actual physical menu and great service staff. They have the new Punch Super Seleccion 1 Thailand RE which I regret not trying.

I’m no humidity/storage expert but I am starting to wonder whether storing cigars in higher humidity especially in humid/tropic environments may not be a better way to go. 

[EasternPromises]

On 7/21/2024 at 7:26 AM, SUP8333 said:

Just wanted to highlight you can reject the cigars, considering the prices they charge in BKK, I've done so on many occasions and it is completely acceptable. I like to pick my own too, just ask to be shown where they keep them and pick yours. 

Fair. I was just feeling rather lazy after a long day trooping around town with the missus (20k steps?) and just wanted to kick back and relax. The cigar was very tasty and reminded me that I needed to pick up some more RyJ Short Churchills for the humidor.

[SUP8333]

17 hours ago, EasternPromises said:

Fair. I was just feeling rather lazy after a long day trooping around town with the missus (20k steps?) and just wanted to kick back and relax. The cigar was very tasty and reminded me that I needed to pick up some more RyJ Short Churchills for the humidor.

When you do head back give the LCDH at Siam Kempinski a try, they store the cigars fairly well and have a wide selection... dispite the prices. Also the ladies are really helpful!