I love visiting cigar shops across the UK, especially those outside the “London bubble.” There’s something special about discovering quirky, independent retailers in unexpected places. One that keeps propping up on my radar is Mitchells Wines in Meadowhead, Sheffield.

I haven’t made it there yet, but I hope to visit soon. If all goes to plan, I’ll be attending their next Cigar Evening on Wednesday, June 25th—a step closer to finally experiencing it firsthand.

Why mention it now? Well, Mitchells Wines recently announced a special collaboration with Perdomo of Nicaragua to mark their 90th anniversary – with a limited-edition cigar to celebrate.

The cigar

Crafted in partnership with Perdomo, one of Nicaragua’s top cigar producers, this commemorative release comes in three distinctive Robusto varieties.

Perdomo – Mitchells Wines 90th Anniversary – Connecticut Robusto

Perdomo – Mitchells Wines 90th Anniversary – Sun Grown Robusto

Perdomo – Mitchells Wines 90th Anniversary – Maduro Robusto

The cigars are described as being a medium to full-bodied smoke. The bourbon barrel-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan wrapper complements the 6-year-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan filler tobaccos perfectly, and it is said to offer a spicy-sweet complexity and subtle hints of oak and almond on the finish.

About Mitchells Wines

Mitchells Wines began its journey in 1935, when Dennis Mitchell opened a butcher shop in Meadowhead.

In the 1960s, the business diversified into wines, spirits, and beer, evolving over time into the store we know today. Dennis’s son, John Mitchell, joined the business in 1967.

John’s forward-thinking approach transformed the shop into a beloved independent wine and cigar destination.

Now into its third generation, the business is run by John’s daughter Francesca (née Mitchell) and her husband James Mellor, both carrying forward the family’s deep passion for premium cigars.

Today, I hear that Mitchells Wines boasts floor-to-ceiling shelves, five humidors packed with Cuban and New World cigars, and a solid range of pipes, tobacco, and accessories.

Fun fact: I first heard of Mitchells Wines during Trinidad Tasting Time as part of the Habanos World Days event in 2024. They offered the most affordable cigar event ticket of all 55 UK venues taking part—£35 for a Trinidad Fundadores and drink pairing!

At the time, I mistakenly assumed they were connected to Mitchell Orchant (of CGars Ltd). Turns out, they’re completely independent and have been charting their own course for nearly a century!

How the Perdomo collaboration came to life

This collaboration was born from shared values: family, tradition, and a commitment to quality. It began when Tor Imports, Mitchells Wines distributor, told them a cigar maker was visiting. That maker turned out to be Nick Perdomo himself.

Nick and his wife, Janine, visited the shop in Sheffield. Over Beres pork sandwiches (the city’s iconic must eat!) and great cigars, the Mitchell’s team and the Perdomos bonded quickly.

Later, James Mellor took part in the Tor Tours trip to Nicaragua (sadly for industry folk only), visiting several prestigious factories—including Perdomo’s Estelí facility.

Not long after returning home, James reunited with fellow travellers for a memorable dinner at Boisdale’s of Canary Wharf in London, where they enjoyed the latest Perdomo release and reflected on their shared journey.

Inspired by the visit, James returned home with a dream: to create a bespoke cigar. At first, it looked unlikely—Perdomo rarely offers private blends outside the U.S. But in a surprising turn, Nick Perdomo personally approved the project.

And here’s the end result…

A brief look at Perdomo cigars

While we’re at it, it’s worth acknowledging the Perdomo story. It’s one of resilience, family, and craftsmanship that spans generations and countries. The journey began with Silvio Perdomo, a talented cigar maker in pre-revolutionary Cuba. The family faced significant challenges when the Cuban Revolution disrupted their lives—Silvio was imprisoned, and his son Nick Sr. fled to Miami after surviving a gunshot wound.

Despite these hardships, Nick Perdomo Jr. launched the brand in 1992 from his garage, working tirelessly alongside his wife, Janine, to build a remarkable legacy.

By the late ’90s, the Perdomos expanded to Nicaragua’s Estelí region, establishing a massive vertically integrated factory that controls every step from seed to cigar. Known for bold innovations like the Perdomo and the Factory Tour Blend, the company combines Cuban heritage with modern expertise. Today, still family-run, Perdomo Cigars is celebrated worldwide for quality, value, and its enduring legacy of passion and perseverance.

My experience

I’ve previously smoked a vitola from the Perdomo 20th and 30th Anniversary lines. I cannot remember which wrapper they were, one was in Venice Beach/Santa Monica, Los Angeles and one was in Split, Croatia. Perdomo clearly love to celebrate an anniversary! 🙂

I managed to get my hands on all three Perdomo – Mitchells Wines 90th Anniversary – Robustos, and figured I’d start with the lightest wrapper first.

I usually go for fuller-bodied, stronger cigars, and I have a feeling the Maduro might end up being my favourite – so I kinda wanted to build up to that.

The Perdomo – Mitchells Wines 90th Anniversary – Connecticut Robusto immediately caught my eye with its lighter wrapper. It felt surprisingly light in my hand, both in weight and in texture. The first third started mild for me, offering soft floral notes. There was a sweetness to it, that shifted to sour as I moved into the second third. But the taste went back to sweet again towards the final third. At first, I thought the aroma was marzipan, but then it came across more like almond.

My rating: 7 out of 10

All in all, it was an enjoyable smoke. I’m still on the fence about the Connecticut wrapper – it just feels a bit too light for my taste, since I usually prefer something richer and darker. But I’m definitely excited to smoke the Sun Grown and Maduro versions soon. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on those over the next couple of weeks on X and Instagram.

Interesting in visiting Mitchells Wines?

You can visit Mitchells Wine Merchants in person at:

Mitchells Wine Merchants Ltd
354 Meadowhead
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
S8 7UJ

View on Google Maps

Explore their range online at: https://mitchellstobacco.co.uk/

And connect with them on social media:
Facebook – Mitchells Wine

If you’re a fan of Perdomo cigars, don’t miss the chance to meet Nick Perdomo himself—he’ll be in the UK this summer for the Meet The Maker cigar and whisky tasting event, happening in Scotland on 26th July 2025.