Korean Job Discussion Forums

heynice · Joined: 15 Jan 2008

I really love cigars, but my stock of duty free cubans has almost been entirely depleted.

I noticed that JW Marriot and the Shilla have stores after a quick google search.... but I couldn't find anything about prices or selection. (I'm looking for a location other than the small shop in Hamilton shopping plaza)

Anyone know of other places or prices of such things?

Michelle · Joined: 18 May 2003

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon has a cigar shop. I believe it is possibly the best one in Seoul?

thrylos · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

As mentioned, 2nd Floor of the Hamilton shopping plaza is your best bet.

There also used to be a guy with a cart/display case in the mall area of Lotteworld/Jamsil, towards the Lotte Dept. store buy the food restaurants. He had some stogies, pipe tobacco/supplies and even (old and dry) rolling tobacco without papers. Don't remember seeing him the last time I was there, but wasn't looking, either.

Cohiba · Joined: 01 Feb 2005

Best place to buy cigars is: http://www.coh-hk.com/index.aspx

I order from there. They never get stopped at customs and arrive
within 3-4 days of ordering.

BUYING CIGARS IN KOREA IS A RIP-OFF

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I second Cohiba on this one. The tobacconists in the 5 star hotels, and even the one in the Hamilton shopping arcade, are all WAY overpriced. Go with the site above; tried, tested and true. Oh, and cheaper than Duty'free'kin ripoff!

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Get a humidor, buy by the box, stock your own scotch. Live the dream.

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I put out a cigar and then run 10K. Don't inhale! You can half inhale' once in a while, and most people do by mistake, but even that is strong stuff.

The great thing about cigars is that good ones can be stored. You can pick up a box or two of your favorite sticks and store them in a humidor. And, hey, while I promote having the best humidor you can afford, anything will do the job for a couple of handfuls of cigars over the not-too-long term.

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

Go to Homeplus, next to the wine section. They have a really good selection, from 8,000 Won up. I can't speak for all Homepluses, but Jamsil's has it.

eIn07912 · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Location: seoul

I hit up the little place on the 2nd floor of the Hamilton shopping center yesterday. Not too bad. I usually only get cigars for holidays and special occasions. Got a 3 pack of Cuban Cohiba's (best in the world) with a new tip cutter for a hundred bucks or so. May seem like a lot, but when I want a cigar, I want it now. I don't want to wait a week for it to come in the mail and I don't want to have to travel a great distance to get it.

If you're coming or going through Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Shanghai duty free is still far better for the price. My next trip is in a few months and I plan to just stock up on $200 bucks worth or more. Should hold me for 6 months or more.

Just polished off a Cohiba Siglo II this morning. Nice way to start the long weekend.

I heard there was a cigar aficionado club in Seoul. Anyone know about that? Also, what about good cigar bars? I know Japan is littered with them, but I haven't run across any here.

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

JoshuaABennett · Joined: 22 Oct 2009

Any chance of reviving this thread? I am also looking for a nice cigar store in Seoul, ideally one with a smoking room where you can get a nice glass of whiskey with it. Any reasonably priced cigar bars would be amazing too. I''ll start compiling a list here, I think. If anyone would like to contribute, I would welcome it. I'll try to add information on pricing, accessibility, and whether they have a smoking room!

So, so far:

Havana Cigar Divan & Bar Grand InterContinental Seoul (hotel) near COEX: First floor, 54 seats, large humidor, smoking room that serves wines, cognacs and whiskeys.

Directions: Get off at Samsung Station Line 2. And go to exit #5 connected directly to the Grand InterContinental Seoul.

Hamilton Hotel Shopping Plaza in Itaewon: 2nd floor, High quality shop, but expensive.

Homeplus in Jamsil: Good selection, seemingly lower prices?

Maska's Cigars in J.W. Marriott Hotel in Banpo-dong: Works with Seoul Cigar Aficionado Society

Directions: By subway, take Line #3 or Line #7 to the "Terminal Express Bus" subway station. Exit out of the subway using exit #3 and that will take you out to the front of the J.W. Marriott Hotel.

SeoulMan6 · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwon-do

I remember seeing a place in Osan near the base.