I’ll be visiting Taiwan later this year (sister-in-law’s wedding) and I was wondering if there’s any cigar smokers there who might know some good places to buy cigars in Taiwan. I’d like to pick up a few Cubans while I’m there (no, I’m not buying a box to bring back, just a few to enjoy while I’m there).
While I’m posting, anyone care to share their favorites, best/worst cigars? Any of the Padron series so far has been the best I tried. I also like CAO, especially the Brazilia,
Try this Web site, Shao Pang.
[quote=“fee”]Try this Web site, Shao Pang.
taipeicigarclub.com/bbs/[/quote]
Man, that board seems pretty dead. Are there just not many cigar smokers there? Last time I was in Taiwan, I was just getting into cigars, and now that I think of it, I don’t remember anybody smoking anything other than cigarettes.
[quote=“ShaoPang”]
Man, that board seems pretty dead [:lol:]. Are there just not many cigar smokers there? [/quote]
They’re there, you just can’t see them through the clouds of thick smoke.
Either that or they’ve gone and died from some horrible respiratory disease. Cough, cough…
Yes, I’m an ex-smoker - the tobacco lover’s worst nightmare!
There is a shop in Shihlin on Jungjen Road just east of Yunong Road on the north side of the road that has a huge supply of Cubans (the cigars). They are not cheap; I think a Churchill was about NT$700 for one. They also sell pipes and pipe tobacco. PM me and remind me and I will update this post with the address and phone number.
There are tons of Davidoff stores that carry all brands of cigars including your cuban selection. From Cohibas to Trinidads…
You can find these stores in the loggy of the Grand Hyatt, Formosa hotel. One on Tunhua, south of RenAi (west side of Tunhua). Try to get 10% off if you buy a bunch.
There are many cigar bars here too, but then you’re paying for the atmosphere.
Thanks for the info! I was expecting at least $600-700NT per cigar, so sounds about right. At that price I’ll only pick up one or two to try. Gotta compare them to my Honduran and Nicaraguan favorites.
If anyone sees a thin white guy walking around with a big stogie in hand, stop and say Hi, it could be me. Thanks again!
There’s a shop on Fuxing, on the left hand side as you walk north, in between Nanjing and Minsheng, it’s just north of a mexican restaurant, in a bit from the road. A big walk-in humidor with a fine selection. Forget how much they are, but a fine range of Cohibas, including the Esplendidos. In good condition.
The Wine Society on Yen-Ji Jie, one lane up from Jen-Ai Rd. carries a nice selection, as well as an impressive variety of wine. Ask for Nancy; she’ll take good care of you.
CK
Any place to get a good selection of pipe tobacco?
Cuban or not - does anyone find that over the past 2-3 years that the prices of cigars have become astronomical in Taiwan? OK I used to paying 100% more than overseas - but now it seems like the prices have become 2-300%.
Last time I was looking at a box of very ordinary box of H. Upmans and the box was like 9,000 TWD.
Does anyone know of a place with decent prices?
Kai Hoffman used to organize once a month cigar dinners at the Hilton then at the Sherwood. Good cigars, liquor and great food. He left to run a hotel in Cambodia and I don’t know if anyone has continued the gettogethers. Jared Cameron was also involved as I recall.
for anyone in taoyuan wanting to buy cigars or pipe tobacco, there is a pretty good little shop near tesco, actually two of them. if you want directions, let me know. they are not cheap, but not really expensive by taiwan standards.
i too am an ex-cigaretter, but a nice cigar once every 3 months or so doesn’t seem to remind me. been like that for about 9 years now. i figure i get enough smoke in me everyday driving to work 
I love the Partagas Series D as much as the next guy but still the cigar selection in Taiwan is extremely limited and takes out quite a bit of the joy for me. The upside is the consistency is excellent. I like variety and trying out new smokes. As for pipe tobacco, is there anything other than Davidoff’s please?
While on vacation in Taiwan most of October, I stopped by the La Casa del Habano in the Grand Hyatt, Taipei. Prices were quite high, as I expected. But I couldn’t help picking up a few singles to enjoy. I bought a few H. Upmann Magnum 46’s and Partagas Series D #4’s. Both are usually good fresh, and these did not dissapoint. If/when I move to Taiwan, I need to find other sources of Cuban cigars, they are just too expensive there. Some of the better online prices come from Hong Kong. I also couldn’t find any of the usual brands we have in the US, but I didn’t look around that much. I wanted to see how prices compared on the Central American and Dominican brands. Fortunately I brought plenty of my own.
The airport had a decent selection too, although expensive. Lots of machine-made Cubans, which sometimes aren’t too bad. The Cohiba cigarillos looked tempting, and I should have picked some up if I had known we wouldn’t get inspected upon entering the US. But I decided to not try bringing in any “contraband.” Stupid embargo…
I miss Hemingway’s, Palo Alto California. I’m not that desperate to buy cigars at the Grand Hyatt. Pipe tobacco otoh… Interestingly I found a guy who sells some pipe paraphernalia in the Tong Hua St night market area, just by the Anhe Rd Post Office.
Carnegies has Cohibas.
The only places I recall seeing pipe-tabacco were in the rest-stops situated along Freeway 1 (the main freeway, which isn’t free at all, that runs from Taipei to GaoXiong). They even sell little pipe kits there. I dont think there was anything worth going out of your way to check out, though.
Cigar recommendations?
I am hijacking this thread (kinda) to elicit any advice on cigars you’d recommend. Recently discovered a “cigar bar” close to home. Great service, comfy environment. Thinking of a monthly visit.
Had a Punch (NTD 650): medium, lovely, 45+ minute smoke, bar prices the only downfall.
Tried a Vegueros (NTD 400): fairly mild, short length.
Back home I’ve had Montecristo #2 (lovely) and Romeo y Julieta (for some reason can’t recall), as well as much cheaper, unmemorable stogies.
All feedback appreciated.
I’ve liked all the Cubans I’ve ever smoked. They used to be cheap outside the US, but prices seem to have risen to ridiculous levels worldwide. Used to be able to buy Cohibas for cheap but now you’d need to visit a bank first, it seems.
The Davidoffs (they’re not Cuban) that I’ve had here seem a small step down in quality, but the prices were more reasonable.
There’s a whole cigar industry that’s located now around Tampa Bay/St. Pete in Florida, and they’re pretty good (excellent actually). Don’t think you’ll find them in Taiwan, but who knows.
I like the Montecristo, H Uppman, Punch, and Partagas best I reckon. The Romeo y Julieta Churchills I’ve had in the past were really good, too. I was actually slightly disappointed with the only Punch Churchill I ever smoked.