During a recent trip to West Yorkshire for the Halifax Herf, my return to London took an unexpected twist with train cancellations and replacement buses. Rerouted through Leeds, I saw the perfect opportunity to make the most of the detour and visit the C.Gars’ cigar shop and sampling lounge—a must-stop for any cigar lover!!!
As someone who enjoys exploring cigar venues in London and across the UK and beyond, I couldn’t pass up the chance to check out this spot.
Background
The C.Gars – Whisky & Cigar store in Leeds, part of Dominique London & CGar Ltd’s expanding portfolio, opened in January 2022. The store has served cigar and whisky enthusiasts for nearly three years!
Located in the historic Thornton’s Arcade, the shop offers a premium selection of Cuban and New World cigars, single malt whisky, accessories, cigar lockers, a whisky tasting room, and a cigar sampling lounge.
Since opening, the Leeds store has become a hub for the local cigar community, hosting tons of events—including whisky and cigar-tasting sampling sessions.
This venue is under the expert management of Ray Prodanoff, who provides tailored advice and a top-tier service. He has helped build a loyal following for the shop.
My experience
I visited CGars on a Sunday afternoon. I checked their opening hours on their website, which stated they were open from 12 PM to 5 PM. I arrived promptly after the shop opened, probably looking well keen.
I’ve had many recommendations to visit CGars Leeds over the years, mainly from northern cigar enthusiasts. I’ve also heard a lot about Ray, the shop manager, who is an avid cigar aficionado. Many have told me he has an impressive humidor at home and is actively involved in online and in-person cigar communities. I briefly met him at the Cigar Smoker of the Year Awards 2022.
The shop is in Thornton’s Arcade, about a 10-15 minute walk from the main train station in Leeds.
I initially got a little lost, which delayed me. I got confused with all the different courts and arcades in Leeds, such as Victoria Court and Queens Court. Eventually, I located Thornton’s Arcade.
As I approached the shop, I noticed the distinctive CGars logo above the entrance and a cigar store Indian displayed outside the storefront. The cigar store Indian, traditionally used by tobacconists, symbolises the connection between Native Americans and the introduction of tobacco to Europe, making it a recognisable icon for cigar shops.
This venue stands out from other CGars shops I’ve visited because it spans three floors. The ground floor has a large cigar display stocked with Cuban, Davidoff, and New World cigars and a wide range of drinks.
The second floor is dedicated to whisky tasting, and the third and top floor is for sampling cigars.
Ray Prodanoff is a knowledgeable cigar expert at the shop, and he is particularly passionate about vintage cigars. I’ve heard great things about the cigar events he hosts; he has organised over 140 events since the shop opened. Additionally, he always dresses very dapper! He could definitely create his own Kirby Allison-style YouTube channel.
Update: Some folk have just informed me that Ray has already set up his own YouTube channel, check it out here: youtube.com/@thelatesmoke – Thanks for letting me know @CigarDram on X 🙏
Ray is always happy to assist and is a great person to chat with, whether you’re new to cigars and seeking advice on where to start or a connoisseur.
I was looking forward to celebrating Mitchell Orchant’s 60th birthday by trying the new Bolivar Belicosos Finos 60th Birthday Orchant Seleccion cigar, but unfortunately, they weren’t available in the shop yet. Instead, I decided to sample a few other Cuban cigars. I chose the Por Larranaga Galanes and the relatively new La Gloria Cubana Turquinos, which I had recently tried and enjoyed at Mitchell’s other Puffin Rooms cigar shop and sampling lounge in Edinburgh.
Length: 4 3/4″
Ring Gauge: 52
Strength: Light – Medium
Cost: £33.99
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Strength: Light to Medium
Vitola: Gordito
Cost: £29.99
After carefully selecting and purchasing my cigars, I went upstairs, passing the tempting whisky-tasting area on my way up.
An incredible sight greeted me as I reached the top floor.
The 12-seat cigar sampling lounge exudes an inviting atmosphere, featuring rustic wooden floors adorned with rugs. The walls are painted in a deep, luxurious blue, creating a sophisticated backdrop for the eclectic mix of seating and tables. Guests can relax in an assortment of chairs—ranging from plush armchairs to sleek leather seats—arranged in a way that encourages conversation and socialising with other visitors. A variety of tables are scattered throughout, offering a comfortable spot for enjoying cigars together.
Each table is equipped with cigar cutters, lighters, and ashtrays, catering perfectly to the needs of cigar enthusiasts.
Natural light filters in through the windows, casting a soft glow on the space, while captivating photographs of fellow cigar aficionados adorn the walls. One cannot help but notice the striking presence of a colossal Davidoff gold sign, which serves as a captivating focal point (the perfect spot for a cigar selfie – if you’re like me, a total and utter cigar tourist! 😅).
I guess I missed a trick there… I should have purchased a Davidoff cigar.
The room boasts excellent ventilation, ensuring a comfortable environment for folk sampling cigars, and subtle nods to The Puffin Rooms (Mitchell Orchant of CGars also owns The Puffin Rooms) can be spotted throughout – on the cushions.
Guests can also enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of beverages from the downstairs whisky tasting area, accompanied by a meticulously crafted menu.
Staff are frequently popping upstairs making sure folk have everything that they need.
There are some ‘Rules of the House’ on the wall.
A few other guys rocked up to the sampling lounge, and all were super friendly. Big shout out to Matt who is a regular visitor to the lounge. It was great to hear your stories and hear about the different cigars you’ve sampled.
After enjoying some exceptional cigars at C.Gars…
I said my goodbyes to Ray and his staff.
Then it was time to head back to Leeds train station and board my train back to London. Grateful for the unexpected detour! 🙏
My rating: 8.5 out of 10
I was really impressed with this place. Leeds, you are lucky to have this! It has a great selection of cigars, wonderful staff, a fantastic sampling lounge, and some great customers. The best way I would describe this sampling lounge is as a delightful blend of CGars’ St. James store and the Puffin Rooms in Edinburgh, all part of Mitchell Orchant’s empire.
Interested in visiting CGars Leeds?
C.Gars Leeds – Whisky & Cigar Merchant
22 Thornton’s Arcade,
Leeds, LS1 6LQ
Phone: 0113 244 5556
Website: C.Gars Leeds
Instagram: @cgarsleeds
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