Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1537288
42 tobaccoasia Issue 4, 2025 July / August A trilogy of taste Three blends presently form the foundation of the Mata Hari portfolio: • Courtesane Robusto – a creamy, mild blend of 100% Indonesian tobacco, perfect for morn- ings. "It's 100% Indonesian, with a creamy vanilla- wood profile. Very approachable, very reflective," Sonny Suciawan explained. • Limited Edition 2024 Toro – a medium-plus cigar marrying a Mexican San Andrés wrapper with Brazilian Arapiraca binder and Indonesian Besuki filler, ideal for post-dinner indulgence. En- thused Sonny: "This one's for evenings, post-din- ner. It's got complexity—semi-sweet chocolate, earthy spice, a real journey." • Java Exotica – Monsoon's third and newest offering is a lunchtime cigar, its flavor "dancing from umami to sweet-savory, with smoky and spicy transitions," according to Sonny. The ci- gar uses the rare Javano Colorado wrapper, first cropped only in 2020. Collaborative crafting Interestingly, Monsoon doesn't maintain its own factory. It collaborates with Besuki Raya Cigars. "We had extensive leaf tasting and blending ses- sions [at their facility] and felt confident to select specific leaves for our blends, which, for all intents and purposes, are therefore our very own cre- ations," Sonny told Tobacco Asia. "And I also have to say, some of the tobaccos I tried at their facil- ity were jaw-droppingly good." The collaboration with Besuki Raya Cigars allows Monsoon Cigar to focus on brand building and storytelling, some- thing Sonny Suciawan is clearly passionate about. "Our cigars aren't just for smoking. They're meant to spark conversation, invite reflection." Looking west and east Monsoon launched in Germany in early 2024 to glowing reviews. One cigar scored 93 points in Ci- gar Magazine. The brand has since expanded into Indonesia, while Sonny Suciawan now resides in Los Angeles. "The US is on our radar, too," he Wismilak's Mario Beazley. Credit: Wismilak Tubed Wismilak Premium Selección in corona vitola. Credit: Wismilak Wismilak Product Lines Line Wismilak Premium Wismilak Glass Tube Wismilak Seleccion Wismilak Clasico Reserva – Serie1 Vitola / Gauge Robusto / 5'' x 50 Robusto / 5'' x 49 Robusto / 5'' x 49 Corona / 5 ½'' x 44 Petit Corona / 5'' x 34 5'' x 50 1 – Filler 2 – Binder 3 – Wrapper 1 – Indonesia & Nicaragua 2 – Indonesia 3 – Connecticut 1 – Indonesia 2 – Indonesia 3 – Ecuadorian Corojo 1 – Indonesia 2 – Indonesia 3 – Indonesia said. "It's a mature, saturated market, but we see a space for something thoughtfully crafted and globally inspired." Sonny is also exploring more accessible lines tailored for Asian markets. "We want short-format cigars for coffee breaks, and in the US, we'll introduce new vitolas to match preferences there." Yet through it all, one thing stays constant. "Our Mata Hari cigars may travel the world," Sonny said, "but their soul will always be Indonesian." "Our cigars aren't just for smoking. They're meant to spark conversation, invite reflection." — Sonny Suciawan, Monsoon Cigar