Cuban cigars are famous, why only select cigars from other countries? Typically, Cuban cigars are produced in facilities owned and run by the government. In the late 1950s most experienced cigar professionals fled Cuba and settled in places like the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. It’s these traditions, experiences, passions and love for the industry that we believe makes non-Cuban cigars better than those coming out of Cuba today.

What are the basics for those who have never tried a cigar before? Firstly, cigars are not cigarettes. Typically, the tobacco that makes up the filler of cigars is aged for 1-2 years. The binder and wrapper can easily be aged for 2-4 years. During this aging process, the tobacco releases ammonia thus releasing much of the nicotine. Cigars are also all tobacco without paper and chemical additives. Secondly, cigars are meant to be a relaxing experience: dedicate up to an hour to unwind and enjoy it. Cigars are not to be smoked quickly for a quick fix. Thirdly, any hand-rolled cigar has been touched by at least 70 hands during the aging and production process. It’s a very meticulous art form and cigars should be respected as such.

How do you tell a good cigar?
It should feel good to touch, with a solid roll and good bunching in the foot. A good cigar should also draw well. Being handrolled, it isn’t always perfect, so even your favorite cigar will have some sort of flaw. Most importantly, a good cigar is the cigar that you enjoy.

What’s your favorite cigar and whisky pairing? If I’m enjoying a scotch that’s a bit on the peaty side I would probably grab an EPM Liga Miami or a PDR Small Batch Habano. If it’s a smokier, heavier scotch, a good choice would be the A. Flores Serie Privada Maduro or EPM La Hermandad. Those are good places to start.

Dek Hiso

Where: Mellow, Clouds, St. Regis Bar, Zuma, Falabella, The Bar & The Restaurant and Grease.
Most likely to overhear them say:
Guys: “Do you know who my dad is?”
Girls: “Oh my God, her Chanel is so a fake.”
Most likely to fight over: A parking spot for their BMW.
Soundtrack: Everything from a live band doing popsanova covers of Thai and inter hits to some groovy house from DJs, just so long as it’s at the right place and price.
Drink: Overpriced Johnnie Walker Black Label to drink with even more overpriced mixers. Prosecco, Chandon and beer? Oh, please!
Who: Channel [V] VJ Pita Na Patalung, makeup artist Peary Pie, publishing heir Dan Hetrakul

The  Gen-Y Hipsters

Where: Moose, Badmotel, WTF and Fat Bird    
Most likely to overhear them say:
Guys: “I sold my fixie to buy a turntable.” Girls: “Yeah, I know Two Door Cinema Club are coming in November, but they’ve gone mainstream now.”
Most likely to fight over: Whose favorite band has less likes on Facebook or plays on YouTube.
Soundtrack: ZudRangma's rare retro selections, ironic 80s-90s tunes, and those super underground bands you’ve probably never heard of.
Drink: Cocktails with a faux working class attitude, like Bad Company at Badmotel (home-made ya dong served on a wooden tray with honey and pickled grape) or the cute and tasty Yellow Submarine at Moose, served in a jam jar (of course). Failing that, nothing disaffectedly utters “now” like an American craft beer.
Who: Cartoonist Kathy MacLeod, WTF's Somrak Sila, party boy Note Dudesweet, rocker Tul Apartmentkhunpa and DJ Maft Sai

The Mid-Life Crisis Crowd

Where: Maggie Choo’s, the Water Library Thonglor’s bar, Quince and Scarlett.
Most likely to overhear them say:
Guys: “If she asks, we just had dinner.”
Girls: “Why are all the good men gay?”
Most likely to fight over: Who has the best cocktails.
Soundtrack: David Bowie's new album, The Next Day.
Drink: Any wine as long as they can say they know/fucked/had dinner with/punched the winemaker.
Who: Maggie Choo's Ashley Sutton, Bed Supperclub's Sanya Souvannaphouma and Cafe Chili's Rica Dila

The Post-Naew

Where: Play Yard By Studio Bar, Ari, Popular Society or any little café down on Phra Artit or Khaosan.   
Most likely to overhear them say:
Guys: “I saw the band play at Stone Free. They were so poetic and emotional, and the guitarist was something special. It’s an injustice that our society does not recognize such spell-binding talents. Can I have your Line?”
Girls: “I wish they served Singha at Toys R' Us.”
Most likely to fight over: Which Instagram filter most creatively captures the evening’s joie de vivre.
Soundtrack: Live music from local up-and-coming unsigned indie bands playing their own stuff. No covers.  
Drink: Anything cheap, from local beers in big bottles or 3-liter towers; bottles of Sangsom, 100 Pipers or JW Red Label to share.  
Who: Pok Stylish Nonsense, Two Million Thanks and Yellow Fang's Preawa  

The Trashed

Where: Not confined to any single place, but determined to follow their beloved party organizers like Trasher, Dudesweet or Club Soma to the ends of the earth. And end the night at Wong's.  
Most likely to overhear them say:
Guys: “I'd shag him.”
Girls: “I'd shag him.”
Most likely to fight over: The good looking boy who no one saw arrive with his boyfriend.
Soundtrack: From trashy 90s hits and pop divas to Britpop and hip electro, depending on the theme of the night.   
Drink: A vodka Red Bull followed by tequila shots all washed down with a Tiger Beer.
Who:  Jojo Trasher, Aom Siripan