CNX Cigars
International Cigar Bar & Lounge – Chiang Mai

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Amir Nadimi, Founder of CNX Cigars
Restaurant Guru 2026

Award Winner

The founder

Amir
Nadimi

"There is a fundamental difference between a purveyor and an authority. To be a purveyor is to manage inventory. To be an authority is to curate an experience, preserve a culture, and pass down the nuanced art of the leaf."

For Amir Nadimi, founder of CNX Cigars, the journey into the world of fine tobacco was never about the commerce of the product. It was, and remains, a thirty-year obsession with the alchemy of soil, climate, time, and human craft.

Three decades

The Architecture
of Expertise

Amir's approach to cigars is clinical, grounded in a lifelong dedication to understanding the mechanics of high-performance environments. Whether he is analyzing the complex flavor profile of a vintage Cuban or consulting on the hospitality standards of a premier hotel, Amir applies the same meticulous attention to detail that has defined his professional career.

His pedigree is not built on trends. It is built on the rigorous study of the "cigar life", a cycle that begins in the fertile valleys of Pinar del Rio and ends in the quiet, reflective moments of a perfectly paired smoke. For Amir, a cigar is not merely a consumable. It is a complex, living document of the land it came from and the hands that rolled it.

That study began in earnest in 1997, in Havana, where direct contact with the production infrastructure of Habanos S.A. established the foundation of his sourcing philosophy. In CNX Cigars' supply chain, every Cuban vitola is procured through Pacific Cigar Company, the sole authorised Habanos S.A. distributor for the Asia-Pacific territory. That chain of custody, from the Vegas Finas de Primera in Vuelta Abajo to the humidor on Nimman Soi 11, is unbroken and fully documented.

Amir Nadimi in the CNX Cigars humidor
Amir Nadimi with cigar selection

Amir arrived in Chiang Mai in 2022 and immediately identified what the city lacked: a dedicated space for serious cigar culture in Northern Thailand. He began organising gatherings and building a community of like-minded enthusiasts before CNX Cigars officially opened its doors in May 2024. What started as an idea became the region's premier international cigar lounge.

While the global cigar market has often been defined by gatekeeping and exclusivity, Amir has moved in the opposite direction. His mission from the start was clear: to democratize access to the world's finest smokes without sacrificing the luxury of the experience.

Amir views Chiang Mai not just as a location, but as a confluence point. Through his leadership, he has transformed a local lounge into a hub for expatriates, travelers, and local connoisseurs alike. He understands that the cigar experience is fundamentally social. It is about the conversation that happens between the first light and the final nub.

By fostering a community that welcomes both the seasoned aficionado and the curious newcomer, Amir has created a space that feels less like a retail shop and more like a private club with an open door.

Chiang Mai

Rooted in Chiang Mai,
Connected
to the World

"The best cigar is the one shared. The act of slowing down to smoke a cigar is an act of mindfulness."
Amir Nadimi, Founder of CNX Cigars

A practitioner's voice

The Philosophy
of the Leaf

When you speak with Amir about cigars, you don't hear marketing jargon. You hear the language of a practitioner. He speaks of "draw", "construction", and "flavor evolution" with the precision of a craftsman.

On Provenance

Amir maintains that the soul of a cigar lies in its origin. He has spent three decades tracking the subtle variations in tobacco batches, understanding how the wrapper, binder, and filler interact to create a unique sensory journey.

On Pairing

He rejects the notion of rigid rules. Instead, he views pairing, whether with spirits, coffee, or conversation, as an act of enhancement. It is about finding the harmony between the notes of cedar, spice, leather, and cocoa in the tobacco and the world outside the cigar.

On Community

Above all, Amir believes that the best cigar is the one shared. He is a staunch advocate for the lounge culture as a necessary antidote to a hyper-digital, fast-paced world. He believes the act of slowing down to smoke a cigar is an act of mindfulness.

Amir's vision for CNX Cigars extends far beyond the lounge floor. Recognizing a gap in the luxury market, he has become a sought-after consultant for high-end hospitality venues across Northern Thailand. He understands that for a hotel or restaurant, a cigar program is not just a revenue stream. It is a signal of sophistication.

He works with partners to design bespoke cigar programs that honor the craft: selecting the right humidification infrastructure, training staff in proper cutting and lighting techniques, and curating collections that tell a cohesive story.

Amir doesn't just sell cigars to hospitality partners. He elevates their brand identity.

Consultancy

Elevating the Hospitality Standard

Values

A Legacy
of Integrity

In an industry often clouded by opacity, Amir has staked his reputation on transparency and integrity. He is a firm believer that the consumer should never have to guess about the quality or the authenticity of what they are smoking.

His work is driven by a simple, unshakable value: Excellence is not an event, but a habit. Every interaction at CNX Cigars, from the way the cigars are stored in the humidor to the guidance he offers a first-time guest, is designed to reflect that commitment to quality.

Amir Nadimi in the CNX Cigars lounge

Join the conversation

This is more than a lounge.
It is thirty years of passion,
distilled into the perfect smoke.

Whether you are looking for your first stick, searching for a rare vitola to mark a milestone, or simply seeking a seat in a room where the air is calm and the conversation is honest, you will find a home here.