New cigar shops and sampling lounges have been popping up in the capital almost every couple of months this year, making it an exciting time for us cigar folk!
I’d been hearing about Kensington Cigar Shop for a while and was especially eager to visit after learning they were to open a new sampling lounge, called 114 KCS, just a few doors down.
Interestingly, I first heard whispers of what turned out to be 114 KCS from various sources over the year. My initial tip came from none other than Edward Sahakian at Davidoff of London (when I met him most recently in the store). When I asked him for his top recommendations for cigar sampling lounges, he hinted at a spot just a few doors from Kensington Cigar Shop. 🤔
Then, I heard about it again via Massimo of DeArt (whose humidors are often featured in many of London’s top cigar lounges) after he shared a video across his social media, hinting at a “secret cigar lounge in London.” 👀
Some followers speculated it could be Fumar—a lounge I actually visited a few weeks ago—but that wasn’t the one. 😱
Both tips, it turned out, were leading to 114 KCS! 👇
With public reservations launching on November 1, 2024, I knew I had to check out both Kensington Cigar Shop and its new lounge, 114 KCS.
Background
The Kensington Cigar Shop, nestled at 148 Kensington Church Street, has been a destination for cigar folk in the Kensington-Notting Hill area of London since its founding in 2017.
Owned by Ed Shimonov, a Canadian who has made the UK his home, the shop prides itself on an impressive selection of premium Cuban cigars (plus the odd El Septimo cigar), offering a unique experience for both connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
The shop has a few seats inside, but sampling is not permitted, as it could affect the humidity of cigars.
The knowledgeable Laabin manages the shop, ensuring that every visitor feels welcomed and guided through their choices.
Just a few doors down at 114 Kensington Church Street is the new 114 KCS sampling lounge—a refined, carefully designed space that has been years in the making.
This elegant cigar shop and lounge, near The Kensington Cigar Shop, faced significant delays during development, especially due to COVID-19-related setbacks that temporarily halted progress. Initially open only to private members, the lounge is now fully operational and welcomes guests by reservation only.
Francesco, with his deep expertise and passion for cigars, manages the lounge alongside his dedicated colleague Louis, ensuring a premium experience for all visitors.
My experience
I reserved a spot at the 114 KCS sampling lounge by emailing them, securing my visit for a Saturday afternoon, the second day they were open to the public.
The lounge is about a 5–10 minute walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station. It’s on Kensignton Church Street not Kensington High Street.
View on Google Maps
Located directly across from the iconic Churchill Arms pub, known for its striking facade.
Upon arrival, the lack of signage at 114 adds to the venue’s exclusive, almost hidden feel.
See “frat box” in the window display on the left.
One unique detail in the display window is a “frat box,” which holds a rare, six-liter Louis XIII Cognac bottle worth around £120,000 – which I believe is available inside.
The entrance has a speakeasy vibe; you press a button on the intercom to gain access, and as you wait, you get a sense of anticipation for what’s inside.
The door opened, and I was greeted by Stefano, the resident cigar sommelier. Stepping inside, a red velvet curtain awaited—when it was pulled back, the stylish cigar lounge upstairs was revealed, a truly magical moment. I actually gasped! The transformation from the unassuming exterior to the lavish interior was surprising and impressive.
The lounge is set across two levels: the upstairs features a walk-in humidor and about eight seats.
While the downstairs offers seating for around fourteen guests, a bar, and toilets.
At the bar, I met Francisco, the general manager, who graciously answered my questions about the venue.
Stefano then escorted me to my seat and presented the menu, accessible via a QR code with options for cigars, drinks, and wines, making it easy to browse selections and prices.
I was then invited to explore the humidor upstairs, which was filled with Cuban cigars supplied by Hunters & Frankau (distributor of Cuban cigars in the UK.) – so you know they are gonna be of a high quality!
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a few Sir David Tang cigars, I think from the Punch brand, at the store. David Tang, the former owner of China Tang at The Dorchester, is sadly no longer with us. I used to attend some of his fascinating talks with fascinating people at the China Exchange in Chinatown before he passed away. At that time, I had no idea how passionate he was about cigars.
Another standout item is the Ramón Allones H&F House Reserve Series 1790 Humidor, a limited-edition collection of exclusive cigars curated by Hunters & Frankau.
Only 50 humidors were made (this was number 29) by DeArt in Italy. Each humidor contains 61 Ramón Allones cigars, produced in Havana under the authority of Habanos S.A. This collection includes every Ramón Allones Limited Edition and UK Regional Edition cigar.
Ramon Allones Cigars included;
Belicoso (Regional Edition) – 2005
Allones Extra (Limited Edition) – 2011
Petit Belicosos (Regional Edition) – 2012
Club Allones (Limited Edition) – 2015
H&F Anniversario 225 (Regional Edition) – 2015
Allones No. 2 (Limited Edition) – 2019
Private Stock 230 (Regional Edition) – 2020
Of course, coming back down from cloud 9 that humidor was way out of my budget 😭, for my selection, I chose a Montecristo Wide Edmundo cigar.
This cigar is a personal favourite and one I have previously reviewed on the blog.
I paired it with an Old Fashioned, perfect for unwinding in the elegant surroundings.
After approximately an hour and a half of bliss and a delightful conversation with Stefano, it was time for me to make a move.
As I left, I stopped by the Kensington Cigar Shop, chatted with Laabin, and picked up a Cuban cigar to enjoy later after my journey home. All in all a wonderful afternoon.
My rating: 9 out of 10
This place has the wow factor! It’s the first time I’ve genuinely gasped walking into a cigar lounge—the venue is stunning. Designed by Massimo of DeArt (who I mention often, I know—I’m definitely a fanboy!), the lounge and humidor are beautifully crafted spaces with everything you could want, including excellent ventilation.
The lounge is perfect for business meetings or intimate gatherings with friends, and it’s a great spot to enjoy a drink alongside your cigar. It’s a true cigar connoisseur’s venue and, while it may feel a bit intimidating to newer cigar enthusiasts, the welcoming hospitality ensures you’ll feel comfortable no matter where you are on your cigar journey.
One thing to note: since 114 KCS and the Kensington Cigar Shop are separate businesses, you can’t bring a cigar over from the shop to sample here. You have to buy the cigar from the sampling lounge. Additionally, when settling the bill, you’ll need to pay separately for cigars and drinks, similar to the setup at No 6 Cavendish, with a 15% service charge added.
Since the lounge is still new, it’s pleasantly uncrowded, allowing you to enjoy the space all to yourself.
Want to visit?
114 KCS
114 Church Street
Kensington
London
W8 4BN
Times: 12 – 8 during week, 12 – 6 weekends
By reservation only:
info@114kcs.co.uk
Social media: Instagram
The Kensington Cigar Shop
148 Church Street
Kensington
London
W8 4BN
Contact:
Email
020 7243 5599
Social media: Instagram
If you enjoyed this review, check out more of my experiences at Cigar shops, lounges and terraces in London.
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