A Smokin’ Experience

Aria’s new cigar program is a big hit with guests

Ricardo Smenner is the man, the man with the cigar plan, at Aria. With an extensive background in the cigar industry—more than 15 years, with some of that time spent at a boutique cigar factory where he learned about the complete production of cigars—he brought his knowledge to the property in 2021 and launched an exclusive cigar program for guests of Sky Villas.

“I designed a whole program— built a cigar cart, got rare and exclusive limited cigars and I (made) a house blend that I personally curated for Aria’s Sky Villas guests,” Smenner said. “Because of the success that we’ve had with the Villas’ cigar program, we decided to go into the next phase and do an extension of the cigar program in our lounges.”

You can find Smenner’s cigar program inside three Aria lounges: Lift Bar, High Limit Lounge and Baccarat Lounge. Each lounge offers its own list of quality cigars at varying prices. “At Lift Bar, the selections are more on the classic, traditional, many (that) one could find at a cigar shop,” he said. “Then you go into the higher tier at High Limit and Baccarat, and the quality and standards are much higher for those cigars. Baccarat has the highest tier.” (Prices start at $25 in all lounges, with $50 max at Lift and $75 max at High Limit and Baccarat).

At Lift, find selections that include Arturo Fuente Chateau,

Camacho Connecticut and Padron 1964 Anniversary Presidente Natural. At High Limit, you’ll see cigars like Rocky Patel Decade, Montecristo White Label and Cohiba Red Dot; Baccarat offers choices like Davidoff Aniversario No. 3, Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles and Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story.

Smenner has personally trained each bartender at each lounge so they can assist guests with the cigar experience. “They are more than capable of the task of cutting and lighting the cigars and explaining the cigars,” he said. “However, I am usually on the floor walking around, and when a guest is ordering a cigar and I happen to be there, I will always stop and assist with the explanation of the cigars and the selection that pairs well with a spirit or cocktail. I also help with the cut and the light and the explanation of the cigars. If they want to understand more about it, I’ll dive into the history of the cigars.”

Smenner has paid careful attention when selecting the cigars for each lounge, so that each one pairs well with specialty cocktails and spirits offered at the bar. Some of his favorite cocktail pairings include a classic Sazerac or Zacapa XO rum, served neat. “You think back hundreds of years and rum was a big trading product of the time as well as tobacco, and so those have always been paired together over hundreds of years,” he said. “The heat from the cigar brings out the flavor of the rum.”

But Smenner is careful to point out, “I want the guest to have the cocktail that they want, and then I pair the cigar with what they prefer with a spirit,” he said.

At High Limit and Baccarat lounges, guests are sure to be especially impressed with the spirits’ list at both venues, with labels that include Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle and Macallan, just to name a few. “These two lounges offer some of the most high-end spirits, rare spirits, Scotches, bourbons and cognac,” he said.

So, if you’re a fan of cigars and good spirits, it’s high time that you get yourself over to Aria and indulge in Smenner’s new program—and if you happen to see him, make sure to flag the man down for an illuminating chat. –Kiko

Miyasato

Aria, 702.590.7111