Bigg Kahuna smoking in downtown Keyport

BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer

PHOTOSBY CHRIS KELLY staff Chris Deibert (top photo), an employee of Bigg Kahuna Cigars, points out one of the store’s special brands. Bigg Kahuna Cigars opened last month on Broad Street in Keyport. KEYPORT — Smokers, rejoice.

Cigarette and cigar smokers alike can find a safe haven at the Bigg Kahuna Cigars shop on Broad Street.

The shop, newly opened in June, sells designer cigarettes but specializes in international cigars.

“We also feature the Kahuna Lodge, a smoking lounge where people can come together and celebrate community,” said in-house tobacconist Chris Deibert.

The lounge features a pool table, dart board, television and cappuccino maker. On a Friday afternoon last week, several smokers watched ESPN and chatted.

The walk-in humidor, lined in Spanish white cedar, features hundreds of cigars from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua.

“I’m proud to say I’ve smoked every [type of] cigar in here,” said Deibert.

Prices and taste are as varied as the selection.

“The cigars range in flavor from mild, medium to full-bodied,” said Deibert, who enjoys helping customers select the perfect cigar for their individual taste.

“Nothing pleases me more than when a customer comes in here and doesn’t know what they want,” said Deibert. “It gives me the chance to walk them through the world of cigars.”

Arturo Fuente, Macanudo and Dunhill are some popular names the shop carries. But Deibert advises customers not to be label conscious when choosing a smoke.

“Some people think a $5 cigar isn’t as good as a $10 cigar,” said Deibert. “That’s not true.”

It all depends on the time and place the cigar was made, according to Deibert, who noted that Bigg Kahuna soon will carry its own brand of cigar.

In the meantime though, there are Bigg Kahuna’s signature dippers.

“We’re the only place in the country that I know of that does this,” said Deibert. “We dip the end of the cigar into one of four different flavors: anisette, butter rum, Tahitian vanilla and almond.”

Business has been brisk for the new shop with shoppers and curiosity seekers stopping in to visit.

“We’re delighted to be here in Keyport,” said Deibert. “We love the fact that people just pop in off the street just to say hello and welcome us to the neighborhood. It just reaffirms that we’re in the right place.”

All the cigars at Big Kahuna are buy three, get one free. Zippos, pipes, pipe tobacco, cigar cutters and humidors are also available.

“I love this business. I love this town,” said Deibert. “It’s just a nice little marriage.”

For more information, call Big Kahuna at (732) 888-4955 or visit the shop at 92 Broad St.