London we have a new destination to explore in the form of City of London Cigars, which has recently made its debut at 132-134 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, WC1X 8AS!

The venue is so new that even Google Maps hasn’t had a chance to catch up and display an image of the new storefront.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit this cigar store. If you’ve been following my adventures on this website, you’ll know how much I enjoy exploring cigar venues across London and now beyond! In this post, I’m hoping to share my experience with the hope that it might be helpful to others who share my passion.

Embarking on a Journey to City of London Cigars

My journey began several months ago when I stumbled upon the ‘City of London Cigars’ Twitter account.

The mention of ‘Cigars’ and ‘London’ immediately piqued my curiosity, prompting me to explore further.

Upon closer examination, City of London Cigars started out in a pretty humble way. They began as a small shop selling cigars from a tiny humidor. But recently, they made a big change. They acquired the space next door, which used to be an old leather shop for about 50 years. This expansion is a big part of their ambitious plan to go from being a basic store with a humidor to becoming a full-fledged cigar destination.

According to their website, City of London Cigars aspires to establish a chain of cigar shops with lounges throughout the city. Their long-term vision encompasses expanding into additional branches, offering world-class amenities, and curating a collection of rare cigars and spirits. Furthermore, they aim to create an exceptional customer experience and promote specialised expertise among their staff.

Holborn: A Strategic Location

One intriguing aspect of City of London Cigars is its strategic location in Holborn. Further research into the store’s history revealed that Holborn was once home to a famous tobacco and cigar store known as Shervington, which regrettably closed its doors on October 28, 2010. This historical connection underscores the significance of City of London Cigars’ presence in Holborn.

A Warm Welcome and a Promising Future

Several weeks after my initial discovery, I was extended a personal invitation by Raj, a member of the City of London Cigars team, to pay a visit to their establishment. The encounter proved to be thoroughly enjoyable. Furthermore, Raj provided additional insights into the store’s ownership, revealing that Mr. Ashok Thakur, a highly experienced Hospitality Management Professional with a background in the hotel industry, serves as the Director of the business.

Upon entering the establishment, I was greeted by a striking royal blue exterior that set the store apart from its surroundings.

At the welcoming counter, a knowledgeable cigar sommelier stood ready to assist customers.

To the left, a selection of beverages, cigar cutters, lighters, and even a chess board awaited enthusiasts.

However, the pièce de résistance of the store was undoubtedly the walk-in humidor, housing an extensive collection of both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars.

Customers are spoiled for choice with a remarkable selection of renowned brands. Among the most celebrated names in the world of cigars, you’ll find gems like Romeo Y Julieta, Montecristo, Cohiba, Boliver, Partagas, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Cuaba, H. Upmann, Trinidad, Quintero, Juan Lopez, Vegueros, José L. Piedra, Diplomáticos, Vegas Robaina, Ramón Allones, and San Cristóbal de la Habana.

In addition to Cuban cigars, you can explore a diverse range of non-Cuban cigar options that offer unique flavours and profiles. Some of these noteworthy choices include Joya de Nicaragua, Rocky Patel, Casa Turrent, Charatan, and Gurkha.

I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the walk-in humidor; it was a delight. I couldn’t resist selecting a Quai D Orsay No54 cigar to savour, and to my pleasant surprise, I stumbled upon the recently released Black Label Trading Co. Santa Muerte Short Robusto cigar.

While exploring the store, I learned about their plans to open a cigar lounge in the basement, pending planning permission. The proposed lounge area appeared to be the perfect spot to sample a cigar, particularly for those seeking a convenient central location to do so.

****Update 10th June 2024****

The cigar sampling lounge is now open in the basement of the cigar shop. I, of course, had to go back and visit it! It’s small, but in a convenient place.

Supporting City of Cigars London

As a member of the cigar community, I believe it’s imperative that we rally behind establishments like City of London Cigars. This store offers accessibility to cigar enthusiasts who may find the perceived pretentiousness of St. James off-putting. It serves as an ideal entry point for novice cigar smokers and has the potential to become even more exceptional if the sampling lounge becomes a reality.

My rating

To sum it up, I would give City of London Cigars a rating of 6.5 out of 10. However, I anticipate that this rating could improve significantly once the sampling lounge is up and running *which is now, as of 10th June 2024*. Currently, it primarily functions as a cigar shop. Raj and his colleague have created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

If you’re eager to explore this hidden gem in London, here are the details:

City of London Cigars
Address: 132-134 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, WC1X 8AS
Phone: +44 730 9999375
Email: info@cityoflondoncigars.com

If you like this review, check out my other reviews of cigar bars, terraces and smoking lounges.