A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a cigar evening at the luxurious Alfred Dunhill establishment on Davis Street in Mayfair, London.

For cigar enthusiasts, this establishment effortlessly blends the characteristics of a gentleman’s club, a cigar store, and a welcoming courtyard for enjoying cigars. It’s conveniently located near the Davis Street exit at Bond Street station; you can explore the precise location on Google Maps for further information. Additionally, it’s just a brief walk from other cigar destinations such as Sautters on Mount Street and The Connaught.

In addition to my prior post discussing my experience smoking a Dunhill Aged Selection Robusto Grande 2006 Limited Edition cigar on this website, I knew very little about Alfred Dunhill or this location.

Background

Dunhill is a prestigious British luxury brand specialising in ready-to-wear, custom, bespoke menswear, leather goods, and accessories.

The story of Dunhill began when Alfred Dunhill inherited his father’s saddlery business on London’s Euston Road at the age of 21 in 1893.

He soon ventured into automobile accessories, introducing a line called “Dunhill’s Motorities.” This collection featured car horns, lamps, leather overcoats, goggles, picnic sets, and timepieces, earning the company the slogan “Everything But The Motor.” Within a few years, Dunhill expanded into the luxury market by opening two Dunhill Motorities stores in Mayfair.

In 1907, the first Dunhill tobacconist and pipe shop opened its doors on the iconic Duke Street, London.

Here’s a fascinating cigar fact: Winston Churchill kept his beloved cigars in the Dunhill Humidor at Duke Street shop. However, during the intense Blitz on April 17, 1941, this establishment suffered considerable damage. Churchill received a 4 a.m. phone call with astonishing news: his treasured cigars in the Dunhill Humidor had miraculously survived the devastation.

You can see a reference to this story inside the cigar shop.

Alfred Dunhill chose to retire from the business, entrusting managing director and president positions to his family members across successive generations.

In the mid-1950s, Dunhill introduced one of the first butane gas lighters, a design that has endured and was famously used by James Bond in both literature and on screen.

By the late 1970s, Alfred Dunhill offered over 3,500 luxury products through more than 20 stores worldwide.

When delving into Dunhill’s rich history, one of its prominent flagship locations is Bourdon House in Mayfair, London. This historic establishment was erected between 1723 and 1725, bearing the name of Captain William Bourdon, its former resident. It was also the dwelling of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, from 1917 until his passing in 1953.

Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by a treasure trove of delightful offerings. From a top-notch barber shop and a pampering spa to a private screening room, elegant leather goods, stylish menswear, and a cigar lover’s paradise – a well-stocked walk-in humidor boasting an extensive cigar collection – Bourdon House has it all.

My experience:

I was trying to remember whether I had ever visited the store before. It might have been a stop on the Cuban Cigar Walk I attended with the late great Nic Wing in the 2010s, but my memory was fuzzy.

At first, I wasn’t sure what the event was all about. Was it a gathering to celebrate the release of a new cigar?

I also got that familiar feeling of nervousness that always seems to sneak in when I go to these events solo. But, as usual, I pushed through the nerves after walking around the block several times before entering Bourdon House.

The Courtyard

I entered the Alfred Dunhill courtyard through an archway painted in white.

At the far end of the courtyard, I spotted a group of gentlemen seated at a table beneath a spacious shelter, and I received an invitation to join them.

It appeared that the host, Rhys, was preparing to introduce the cigar we would enjoy sampling that evening among fellow cigar enthusiasts.

Rhys Davis Hamilton, the cigar store manager, is a name I recall from Nic Wing’s UK Cigar Scene magazine. You can find the article here. This man possesses an impressive wealth of knowledge about cigars, and he truly excels as a gracious host. Rhys earned the distinction of becoming one of the UK’s youngest cigar experts, with prior experience at Davidoff and Sautters. It’s also inspiring to witness a new generation of individuals passionate about cigars making their mark in the cigar industry.

The cigar we sampled

We had the pleasure of sampling the Temple Hall Dunhills Selection No 133 cigar from Jamaica.

These cigars date back to 1966 and were originally stored in the vintage Dunhill humidor located in Mayfair on Jermyn Street. They were subsequently preserved at the Dunhill Pipe Factory Warehouse.

Length: 5
Ring Gauge: 40
Vitola: Petit Corona
Strength: Medium
Origin: Jamaica

In 1969, Temple Hall was once a thriving cigar factory in Jamaica until it was acquired by the American Cigar Co. Unfortunately, today, the factory has ceased operations, and while there are still cigars bearing the name Temple Hall, they are exclusively produced for the US market. This is why Jamaican cigars have become a rare find in recent times.

Many fellow cigar enthusiasts I’ve encountered via this website online and in person have emphasised the importance of smoking cigars with some aging, and this particular one was 56 years old! It’s truly remarkable how well these cigars have been preserved, especially when I struggle to maintain a cigar in my humidor for a couple of weeks. I was thoroughly impressed. What an exquisite smoking experience it was. An exceptional cigar.

Cigar lighters on display

Following that, we were warmly welcomed into the store to view a collection of exceptionally old Dunhill cigar lighters. These artifacts were truly one-of-a-kind, and in hindsight, I regret not taking a photograph of them. To give you an idea, the very first lighter we encountered had been crafted from a Colman’s Mustard tin and served as the initial prototype for future cigar lighters. We were then treated to a glimpse of various subsequent iterations. The staff on hand were incredibly friendly and eager to share the fascinating history behind these lighters. Although they are available for purchase, it’s worth noting that they come with a substantial price tag. If you happen to have a millionaire friend, I’d highly recommend bringing them along for a visit!

Following our exploration of the store, we returned to the outdoor seating area to savor our second cigar of the evening, the Por Laranagga Picadores. Once again, it proved to be a delightful smoke. Additionally, we were served some drinks and canapés to complement the cigar, and I must say they were of the highest quality!

The conversation at the table was absolutely delightful. The guys made me feel incredibly welcome, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about everyone’s unique cigar journeys. Rhys expressed his plans to host more events in the future, and I can’t praise this place enough as a fantastic destination to savour a cigar. Particularly when the weather is warmer, that courtyard could be the perfect spot to unwind with a cigar.

The cigar shop downstairs

As the evening drew to a close, Rhys and Stel, a fellow cigar enthusiast and the resident barber, graciously offered to give me a tour of the cigar shop and humidor, conveniently situated downstairs and available to all guests.

The cigar shop is situated in the basement, a historical choice rooted in Dunhill’s heritage, which harkens back to the time when the Duke Street store faced German bombings. Interestingly, this space used to be a wine cellar, not a designated bomb shelter or safe room. What’s even more fascinating is that you can still spot the original door from the locksmith, adding a unique touch to the ambience.

As I stepped inside, a sense of familiarity washed over me; I realised it was one of the stops on Nic Wing’s Cuban Cigar Walk, and I even came across a photo of Nic inside the store.

The cigar shop has a wide selection of Cuban and non-Cuban cigars at decent prices.

They provide cigar storage options for paying customers.

Alfred Dunhill welcomes the public to its cigar shop, barbershop, bespoke and made-to-measure tailors, as well as its ready-to-wear shop. Additionally, the courtyard and café are open to all visitors.

For those interested in visiting this venue, here are the details:

Alfred Dunhill
Bourdon House,
2 Davies St, London W1K 3DJ

Phone: +442034257313
Email: Bourdon.House@​dunhill.com
Get Directions

Opening hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

My rating: 8 out of 10

If you plan to visit the cigar shop and enjoy a cigar in the courtyard, I’d recommend dressing up a bit. Casual attire might make you feel out of place. Leave the sneakers and jeans at home; instead, opt for a formal jacket and trousers.

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