Indonesian Puro Launched: Hound Cigar Co

Hound Cigar Co, a proudly Indonesian-owned cigar brand, is a bold new brand founded by long-time cigar smoker Dex Bahya-Noon—also the founder of the online cigar retailer Bali Premium Cigars.

Bali Premium Cigars began as a curated retail project, built on a simple idea: to promote Indonesia’s best cigars, many of which remain virtually unknown outside the country.

“When I launched the online shop in 2022, the main focus was on supporting local premium Indonesian private-label cigars,” says Dex. “The goal was to spotlight small-batch, handcrafted cigars made from tobacco grown in Indonesia’s rich volcanic soils.”

Running Bali Premium Cigars gave Dex a front-row seat to some standout Indonesian blends, especially from small independent labels.  But it also revealed a major gap in the market. In Bali, international tourists and expats were constantly searching for quality local cigars—yet most ended up with mass-produced factory cigars found at convenience stores, often lacking in quality, flavour and consistency.

Over time, Dex built strong relationships with these independent producers and began selling not only locally in Bali, but also to a growing international customer base made up of tourists who discovered the cigars while visiting the island.

“One big issue kept coming up,” Dex explains. “Once our customers went home, we were limited by which brands could be legally exported. Most of the local labels just weren’t set up for international distribution.”

Hound Cigars was born from a clear vision: to create a bold, fully Indonesian boutique cigar that could stand on the global stage.

“I wanted to be honest about its roots and proud of them—and I wanted the branding to reflect that,” says Dex. “There’s no shortage of great cigars here, but many local brands lacked a real strategy or vision to reach international cigar lovers.”

“I saw the potential to do something different—to create a new-world cigar brand that’s proudly Indonesian at its core, unapologetically modern, and built with international palates in mind. I didn’t want to imitate what other local brands had done. I wanted to lead the way—and show what’s possible when you back yourself with quality tobacco and the right mindset.”

Dex designed The Hound Reserva Maduro as a daily smoke with personality—bold yet smooth, short enough to fit into a busy modern life. The debut release is a Short Robusto (52 x 100mm), crafted to be enjoyed in around 25 minutes. It’s made for smokers who appreciate the ritual, the craft, and the character of a well-built cigar.

The Hound Reserva Maduro is a 100% Indonesian puro, with wrapper, binder, and longfiller all grown from Cuban seed and aged for three years. It delivers a medium-to-full body profile, with earthy notes of black coffee and a subtle honey finish. Every 10 count box (RRP US$ 110.00) is shipped with a Boveda two-way humidity control pack and sealed with official Boveda authentication to guarantee freshness and quality from the factory to your humidor.

For now, Dex is focused on launching the Reserva Maduro into select international markets, with Hound Cigars fully licensed for export. “We’re looking for distributors and retailers who share our values of craft, quality, and originality.”

https://www.balipremiumcigars.com/