The Vibrant Cigar Scene of Kuala Lumpur – Part 4

I have said it before, and I will say it again, when it comes to the cigar scene, Kuala Lumpur can rival with Hong Kong as the top spot in Asia. When it comes to new world cigars, Kuala Lumpur beats Hong Kong any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Because of the high Chinese population of Hong Kong, Cuban cigars are still king there while Malaysians are more open to new world cigars and that shows, in variety and sales numbers. And there are lounges all over Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas. This is the fourth article about these lounges and Inspector X is still finding new spots to sit and smoke every time he sets foot in the buzzling capitol of Malaysia

Real Hermanos lounge at Eastin Hotel

Real Hermanos is the lounge concept of the Trinidad Cigar Group, a hospitality company that is also active in the cigar market. The company already runs another cigar lounge in Kuala Lumpur (see the vibrant cigar scene of Kuala Lumpur part three), a Real Hermanos lounge in the city of Kuantan and the Real Hermanos on the island of Langkawi. Not too long ago, the second Real Hermanos lounge in Kuala Lumpur was opened in the Eastin Hotel.

The lounge sits more than 40 cigar aficionados comfortably. The guests can select cigars from a fully stocked humidor that contains Cuban cigars and New World cigars such as Casa Magna, E.P. Carrillo, the house brand Real Hermanos cigars made in collaboration with Roberto P Duran and the collaboration cigar between Oscar Valladares and Hamlet Paredes. There is a full bar, the bar not only provides great drinks but also entertainment as the bartender has flair skills and loves to put on a show. Show up Monday to Saturday, any time between 2pm and midnight, dressed in your best smart casual outfit and the staff at the Real Hermanos lounge at Eastin Hotel will treat you like royalty.

Pusat Dagang, 13, Jalan 16/11, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Cigar Malaysia

Cigar Malaysia was the biggest player in the market in Kuala Lumpur with several lounges and affiliated lounges until all Cigar Malaysia locations were closed at the end of 2021.  The founder, Abdullah Seymour, has resurrected Cigar Malaysia and has three lounges in Kuala Lumpur once again. This lounge is located at Commons, a food hub in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur, a short walk away from the famous Petronas Towers.

The lounge can sit 40 cigar aficionados comfortably. The shop has a very large walk-in humidor with a state-of-the-art temperature and humidity control system. The walk-in humidor stocks a good range of Cuban cigars, a better range of New World cigars and if you need to buy accessories, Cigar Malaysia sells Colibri cutters, lighters, humidors and ashtrays.

The lounge can sit 40 cigar aficionados comfortably. The shop has a very large walk-in humidor with a state-of-the-art temperature and humidity control system. The walk-in humidor stocks a good range of Cuban cigars, a better range of New World cigars and if you need to buy accessories, Cigar Malaysia sells Colibri cutters, lighters, humidors and ashtrays.

Cigar Malaysia Commons KL @ Bukit Bintang: First Floor, Lot GL-010, Commons KL, 55, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Cigars Lounge at Hartamas Shopping Centre

Cigars Lounge is another player in Kuala Lumpur you can’t avoid. With three lounges under the Cigars Lounge brand and a partnership with distributor Tag Ventures in Club Macanudo, you are bound to run into this company if you are a cigar smoker in Kuala Lumpur. But there is nothing to avoid, Cigars Lounge is a great company that offers some of the best new world cigars directly from the manufacturer. Owner Ray is a friendly and gracious host and I’ll always make an effort to have a cigar with him when I get the chance, either in Europe or Asia.

The location at the Hartamas Shopping Centre has been open since 2006 but was completely refurbished in 2020, when the lounge had to be closed because of the covid-19 pandemic anyway. Since Cigars Lounge is the importer for Joya de Nicaragua, The Selection (Meerapfel Cigars), Arturo Fuente, Condega, JC Newman, Fratello, Ashton & Maya Selva, you will find these cigars and many more in the fully stocked humidor, which also holds Cuban cigars. The lounge is small and access is only available to members. Unless you are lucky and get invited by someone from the inner circle.

lot G-23A, Ground Floor, Hartamas Shopping Centre, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

La Habana @ Desa Sri Hartamas

Also a relatively new lounge is La Habana at Desa Sri Hartamas. La Habana has several lounges, in one of the previous articles we covered Cigar Bar KL at the Naza tower, which has been converted to a La Habana lounge since.

The La Habana Lounge at Hartamas has comfortable seating for 20 people and the lounge carries a wide variety of Cuban cigars and non-Cuban cigars including the biggest selection of premium Indonesian cigars you will find outside of Indonesia itself. The laid back atmosphere of the lounge reflects in the lack of a dress code, you can come in wearing shorts and slippers and still be treated like a gentleman. The lounge operates from 10am till 10pm, but since it’s Muslim owned, alcohol is not served. But you are allowed to bring your own bottle without a corkage fee when you reach a certain minimum spending per table.

No 62 Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas , 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Previous articles in this series:
the vibrant cigar scene of Kuala Lumpur part one
the vibrant cigar scene of Kuala Lumpur part two
the vibrant cigar scene of Kuala Lumpur part three