The Cabinet – Cigars, Whisky &, Cocktails – Bangsar

The Cabinet Bangsar

Words: Kitty Noble  Photos: Rich Callahan

I have to confess that The Cabinet, which officially reopened this month after a two-month renovation, was my first foray into a cigar lounge. I’ve seen them on the telly, so had a pretty good idea what to expect. Not as blokey or as stuffy as I was anticipating, thanks to the new management team and shareholders, The Cabinet is Bangsar’s first cigar lounge. Originally opened in 2018, the new lease of life sees the addition of red and gold to the walls, soft, funky lighting and an open feel, to give wider appeal beyond the male of the species. Yes, the leather armchairs and sofas are prolific, and a whisky-laden bar pulls the pockets of the rooms together, but the upgraded style makes for a more contemporary and modern feel, and less masculine, as more and more women appreciate a good cigar.

The Cabinet Bangsar

One particular observation, by Angel, who designed the cocktails we are about to share, is that many people are plumping for a cocktail rather than whisky, to pair with their cigar. Rather uniquely, she has created a cocktail menu to highlight the experience for smokers. The cigars themselves are available for purchase from a huge, airy humidor, where the perfect conditions ensure a quality smoke. Every range of price and popularity is available, with particular focus on the quality and provenance of the cigars although you are welcome to bring your own favourite, for a cutting fee of RM 50, to include a soft drink.

The Cabinet Cocktail Menu

The cocktail menu at The Cabinet Bangsar is playfully divided into courses, as one might a sit-down meal. Naturally, therefore, we start with the appetisers.

Appetizers

Kicking off our degustation of beverages, we try the Bangsar Highball, (RM 45) where Roselle Pisco, is paired with Menthe-Pastille and house-made Paan Gulkand Soda. This is described as ‘Refreshing, Minty and Floral’. It possesses slightly medicinal flavours and is pretty magenta in colour. Due to the extensive Indian community, the team at The Cabinet wanted to dedicate a drink to the culture. They do so respectfully with the use of Indian ingredients and a nod to an Indian delicacy. Described as ‘love it or hate it’ like the Marmite of the drink world, this will suit those who love unusual flavour combos.

Liquid Mains

For our main, we started with My Sweet Dirty Pickle, (RM 50), above all others, the one drink that I was particularly looking forward to trying. Spanish Gin de Mahón is on the savoury herbaceous side and is shaken with Bianco Vermouth and sweet pickled brine. Home-made pickles comprise Japanese cucumber and red pepper pickled with rice vinegar, dill, coriander seed, fennel seed and peppercorns. As with the philosophy of everything here, nothing goes to waste, so the capsicum and cucumber are used to garnish the glass. It is a great drink, like a slightly pickled version of a dry martini, but with a sweet, acidic kick. Even the pickle juice on its own is delicious.

Federal Territory (RM 50) represents our second main, with Tequila Blanco, dry vermouth and artichoke amaro. Served in a martini coupe with blackened cherry tomatoes as a garnish, this is an earthy, spirit-forward representative of KL. I accidentally finished this off before Mon could get another look-in. Oopsy. Sorry-not-sorry.

Dessert – The Cabinet Cigar Bar Bangsar

For our ‘dessert’ we had Black, Short & Boom (RM 50), a combination of Chartreuse Jaune, espresso and orange gula Melaka syrup. This goes fantastically with a cigar. The coffee really comes through on the palate with great length. The beverage served in a wine glass garnished with orange peel is certainly a hit with coffee-loving Mon.

Port Goa (RM 40) is quite unique as it is a representation of eggnog and black-forest cake. Ruby port, spiced jaggery cordial, coconut and egg white, create a wintery beverage with deep, delicious flavours. Sweet coconut and ripe berries on the nose make for a perfect pairing with a medium-bodied cigar.

The option of a pairing of Port Goa and cigar is at an excellent price of RM 60 – I quit smoking years ago, but on the basis that you don’t inhale, and the fact that I love the smell, professional curiosity led me to try the match. I can tell you, the cigar goes brilliantly with the drink, (or does the drink go well with the cigar?) helping to soften the sweetness. Thanks to the flavour and scent profiles, I can’t help but be reminded of UK winters, wrapped in a hat and gloves, standing outside around a bonfire, drinking a glass of steaming mulled wine.

The Cabinet Nibbles

Nibbles are always a welcome relief with a few bevvies, so Childhood Memories (RM 10), is exactly that. A little plate of fun snacks, including iced-gems, peanut cookies, pineapple tarts and ‘elephant ears’, evoke infant recollections and are enough to keep hunger pangs at bay, going nicely with the cocktails and cigars.

Sweet Smoke (RM 36) is a kaleidoscope of nibbles, made up of almonds, cashew nuts, dried apricot, mini salted pretzels, 70% dark cacao chocolate, caramel chocolate and unusual turmeric chocolate. We’re advised to combine a nut, chocolate and pretzel in one go. Rich, our resident American, likens this to s’mores. The turmeric chocolate was a howling success so we had to ask our kind hosts to top us up before we got into fisty-cuffs over the last one!

The Cabinet Whisky Bar

The whisky collection is vast including offerings from Malt Whisky Society, a particular treat, as a whisky lover, having formerly frequented the venue in Edinburgh. Getting your hands on these is not to be sniffed at, as they have to ‘approve’ purchasers of the amber nectar. Strictly for reporting reasons, we did round off our tasting with a couple of snifters. Slainte Mhath!

Whilst this is not a members bar, entry is only permitted with reservations, giving an exclusive feel, with the option of membership, available to “ministers” and “mayors.”

With the rich colours and classy feel, The Cabinet allows its patrons a brief reprieve from daily life and a little bit of luxury with a unique opportunity to pair cigars and cocktails.

Reasons to visit The Cabinet KL: unique cocktail and cigar pairings; extensive whisky bar; classy, exclusive feel.

The Cabinet, Cigar Lounge Bangsar

80A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar

59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/thecabinetkl/

+60113324053

The Cabinet KL Opening Hours

Monday – Saturday, 5 pm – 1 am daily.

Closed on Sunday.

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