Trip to Mumbai

[Stevez]

I am going on a business trip in about 10 days to Mumbai, India. I'll be there for about 9 days and was curious if anyone had recommendations on places to pick up some cigars in the city, preferably those that are difficult to get here in the US. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Steve

[sammy284]

Hey Steve,

There is a cigar shop in Mumbai that sells Cubans-it's called Cingari and its located at the Lalit Hotel by the international airport. Other than that there are a couple of online retailers but your 9 day window might be too short to get anything from them.

Even though smoking is banned in public places, you'll find a lot of lounges here selling Armenteros cigars. These are Dominican and made by La Aurora for the Indian market. I struggled to get through a robusto and can't recommend them personally but different palates so you could give those a try.

Best advice would be to pick up some Cubans from duty free is you are connecting through an airport that sells them. No Cubans in Mumbai duty free (yet)

What are the dates in Mumbai. We have a little cigar & single malt club of some pretty diverse folks and we meet up regularly to enjoy some great stogies and malts. You're welcome to join!

Feel free to ping me if you need any other info.

Sammy

[mosesbotbol]

Mumbai is quite a city. It is every Indian stereotype rolled up into on 24 hour a day spectacle. The Cricket Club of India is worth checking out. The field within it is friggin huge! Great restaurants everywhere and the ice cream is off the hook.

[Ranger_B]

Duty free is probably a solid start. The smoking ban makes enjoying your smoke a problem. Good luck though last time I was there I found some really neat smokes. Just wish I could remember where.

[mk05]

Pick up any Punch Platino x/600 you can.

[Stevez]

Thanks guys, very much. I appreciate the advice and information. I'm just hoping that I can smoke somewhere outside on the hotel property, but whatever. The only international airport I will be in is Mumbai and if they don't have a duty free shop, I may be out of luck. I'm leaving the 21st of August and coming back on the 30th. Staying at the Rennasaince hotel in Mumbai and will be with several co-workers and I expect pretty busy most of the time. I will try and hit some of the recommended areas and again, thank you. Steve

[mk05]

Have a good time, and oh, smoke something they have over there called, "biddies."

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Stevez

Thanks guys, very much. I appreciate the advice and information. I'm just hoping that I can smoke somewhere outside on the hotel property, but whatever. The only international airport I will be in is Mumbai and if they don't have a duty free shop, I may be out of luck. I'm leaving the 21st of August and coming back on the 30th. Staying at the Rennasaince hotel in Mumbai and will be with several co-workers and I expect pretty busy most of the time. I will try and hit some of the recommended areas and again, thank you. Steve

If you don't have a pre-arranged driver, do not take a cab from the airport, only the bus. The airport is around slums and cab will drop you off in the slum unless you give him all your money... I suggest having a livery waiting for you.

[Stevez]

Thanks Moses. I've heard that before and we have a car picking us up that was arranged by our local contact there. We were told not to take taxi's at all. Steve

p.s. heard about the biddies; any concern that smoking those will make you sick like drinking the water will?

[mk05]

No they are reaaaaally strong cigarette/cigars. Holy crap I almost fainted on one draw. I don't know how to describe it...but if I did drugs, I figure that's what it feels like.

Bought as many as I could.

[LostAbbott]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

If you don't have a pre-arranged driver, do not take a cab from the airport, only the bus. The airport is around slums and cab will drop you off in the slum unless you give him all your money... I suggest having a livery waiting for you.

This! Also if you can have some in India do all of your booking for you, it will reduce your costs by half if not more.
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[Stevez]

Thanks again everyone. I leave tomorrow! Steve

[Stevez]

Ugh! Trip postponed for two weeks at the last minute. Already packed and ready to go and now delayed. Oh well, at least I'm ready to go.

[Stevez]

Finally, I leave today and again, appreciate the feedback and suggestions.

Steve

[Zane]

Enjoy you trip!