Popular Post El Presidente Posted March 17 Popular Post Posted March 17 I am sure you all know the feeling. Di and I only spent 4 nights in Hong Kong but it felt like 2 weeks ......in a good way 🙄 Ostensibly, we were there for a private showing of Ravi's new lounge "COH House". Fuzz, Jason, Marco and Greg had a long lunch on the Wednesday at Gaia (Italian and cigar friendly) before retiring to the lounge for a quiet drink and cigar Wednesday afternoon. This was to be a precursor for the big distributor/influencer party on Friday evening. I recall there was only 8 of us that Wednesday afternoon and my first look at the retail store and lounge was mind blowing. Store Marco, Fuzz, myself. I doubt there is a better stocked Habanos and New world store in the world today. Manager Tas Di had an awful time Now the lounge is next level Light, airy and with a ventilation system that is world class. Now the lounge won't officially open until late April. The store is open now and while I was there it was well visited by people from all over the world. Post this private showing, Di and I headed to Marco's new lounge/store in Kowloon that I loved. This store made me feel right at home and reminded me very much of "The Deck" back home. Intimate, well stocked and rocking. The PCC store at the Mandarin Oriental in Central is very similar is scale but this is much closer to my sort of vibe. Loved it! Post cigar and a few fine rums...off to a stunning little Japanese. Post dinner we headed back to my favourite Dive bar "WTF" for further drinks and cigars. Eddie and Nick always look after us there...and they were in "high" spirits Thursday was a long lunch with the Drew Estate International crew at Madam Fu's before retiring back to Ravi's lounge and then the LCDH central to catch up with Aaron (SUP8333) and Kurt (Chuck08) for some drinks and further cigars. Kurt had to head home but hell, Ravi was hell bent on a feed at "Crab under the Bridge". Aaron, Ravi, Marco, Jason, Di, Me, Fuzz. It was a long long night. Friday I had meetings most of the day. I had to satisfy the Taxation Office somehow that this week was all work related The Friday night function at the COH lounge was spectacular and full of beautiful people from across Hong Kong and mainland China. The Drew Estate International crew were all there and they were an absolute hoot...no one more than the irrepressible Jonathan Drew. He delivered one of the most interesting one hour speeches I have ever heard. It was riveting and he had me in hysterics. He has now made my dream "ultimate industry long lunch table" The cigar scene in Hong Kong is rocking. New cigar stores and lounges appear to open every month. They are equally patronised by locals and mainland buyers alike. Hong Kong has had a slow recovery since Covid but it is recovering albeit some industry sectors and locations are doing far better than others. Cigars, Cuban and Non-Cuban roll on. FOH HK tour 2026 has found a few new welcoming homes If Fuzz/Chris/Di/ any attendees have any more photos of the 4 days...post them up. 29
JohnS Posted March 17 Posted March 17 I just want to know one thing. Did Di have a great time shopping in Hong Kong? I'm confident she would have! 👍
El Presidente Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 1 hour ago, JohnS said: I just want to know one thing. Did Di have a great time shopping in Hong Kong? I'm confident she would have! 👍 Fuzz escorted her on a half day shopping trip. She loved it! 1
Cigar Surgeon Posted March 17 Posted March 17 Quote The Drew Estate International crew were all there and they were an absolute hoot...no one more than the irrepressible Jonathan Drew. Indeed. I've never not had a dinner or event experience with him and not enjoyed it. The most impressed I've been was when I was in Orlando and coincidentally there happened to be a Drew Estate event at a popular B&M there. I attended and watched him remember names and personal life details of people in the very long line to meet him, who he had seen only one time before in some cases more than 6 months previously. 1
ByronCigars Posted March 18 Posted March 18 So many great lounges in HK, need to visit this year for sure.
Fuzz Posted March 19 Posted March 19 The COH shop is absolutely fantastic, and the lounge is gorgeous. But the best part of the lounge.... 20250313_154435.webm 2
Popular Post Fuzz Posted March 19 Popular Post Posted March 19 After the Drew Estate event on Friday, Rob, Di and Greg making the climb up Heartbreak Hill to go to their hotel... On the Saturday, the weather was looking a bit grim for the open air event at Spiga. I was down at the foreshore and got caught in the deluge. But the skies held during the night and it turned out to be a fantastic night out. After the event, when everything was winding down and I had thoughts of heading back to my hotel to pack and get a few hours sleep before my flight in the morning... but Ravi and his nephew Suresh had other ideas. The less said about what happened at Dragon I, the better.... 16
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