On Thursday, August 13th, the morning air was crisp as we set out from the Aston Hotel. I had the pleasure of guiding three senior gentlemen from Sanur—avid collectors and seasoned cigar aficionados—on a private tour to trace the origins of East Java’s legendary leaf. Crossing over from Bali, they brought a keen appetite for discovery, eager to experience the heritage, culture, and craftsmanship that make Jember a true city of tobacco.
Our journey began with a hunt for something special: the limited-edition Egaucho Year of the Horse 2026. Pak David was specifically looking for this cigar as a birthday gift for himself, carefully examining each stick one by one until he found it was the selected box.
From there, we immersed ourselves in the long standing history of tobacco at the Tobacco Museum before heading out to the surrounding farmland to walk through the tobacco plantations. Standing inside the soaring wooden air-curing barns, the guests experienced the delicate drying process that produces Indonesia’s world-famous Besuki Na-Oogst wrapper leaf. Meanwhile, Phil was happily enjoying through the second third of a pyramid-shaped cigar. After a few more puffs, we returned to the car for a short 15-minute drive to the factory floor.
Arriving at the Dwipa Nusantara Tobacco cigar factory, the experience became truly hands-on. The group observed the meticulous hand-rolling and cigar sorting process up close before settling in to sample freshly rolled cigars straight from the source.
The sensory journey went beyond tobacco. We stopped by a local roastery to pick up freshly roasted Jember Robusta beans. Over warm cups of coffee, our conversation flowed naturally while the guests tasted a few selected cigars from my black humidor that they had never tried before.
To end our day, we sat down for a late lunch at Tebing Café, taking in the views of green paddy fields stretching toward the western horizon.
This trip reminded us why Jember holds such a special appeal for travelers. Free from crowded tourist spots and traffic, it offers an ideal place for slow, peaceful living—a quiet, authentic alternative just a short journey from Bali.
Before saying goodbye, I offered each guest a complimentary cigar as a token of appreciation for a great day together.
Good cigars, great company, and authentic local heritage.
