As if Anantara Siam’s Aqua weren’t exclusive enough, that same courtyard is now also home to a cozy little cigar lounge. The interior is modeled after the Eastern Oriental Express, the server feels more like a personal butler, and the walk-in cigar room is well stocked.

 

The bar eschews any mixological aspirations in favor of one long list of single malts, from B300 for a glass of Balvenie Doublewood 12 years (and plenty more options under B400), to B1,800 for a Macallan 18 Years Sherry Oak. Character also stocks Glenfarclas, Highland Park, Glenmorangie, Old Pulteney and Ancnoc, all available with different aging lengths and/or cask types. You can also order them as a bottle—such as the Glenmorangie Lasanta (B4,450) or the Balvenie Port Wood 21 years (B25,500). That said, you can order anything you want from Aqua, including a pint of Chang and some nachos.

 

The cigar menu is even more impressive, with notes on each cigar’s origin, format, strength, wrapper, filler, binder, as well as tasting notes, remarks, ratings, price per stick and price per box. Interestingly, that menu is exclusively dedicated to non-Cuban labels: Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Dominicans—even a Jamaican. Inside the walk-in humidor, we did spots some Cohibas (a Cuban brand) but no Partagas. We’ll take that as confirmation connoisseurs are really bored with Havana. To start puffing, there are only a couple options in the B400 range. Access to the “cedar, sweet hay, and hints of burnt toast” offered by a CAO Flathead 660 will set you back B1,150. If it’s the “dried fruits, pepper and cocoa beans” of a Liga Privada Unico Flying Pigs you’re after, count B1,850.

 

And then there’s the atmosphere. The Eastern Oriental theme isn’t original, but it’s well executed, with all the requisite hardwood and leather. The fedora wearing attendant is quick to prep or relight your cigar. Heirs to Thai-Chinese business empires rub shoulders with swarthy uncles who wear uniforms by day (with lots of stars on them). A spiral staircase leads to an even more private nook, lest you find Character not exclusive enough. Access will cost you, though. It’s a perk of their three “memberships”—B165,000, B95,000 and B40,000—which come with spending credits (B200,000, B95,000 and B45,000 respectively), discounts and freebies (cigars, mixers).