Over the years, this blog has given me the opportunity to meet some fascinating people connected to the cigar world in the UK. Most recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Hayk Yeghikyan, the man behind the newly launched sculptural cigar accessories brand, Ashlar House.

We met for a cigar in the garden of The Reform Club, where Hayk shared the story behind his business, the inspiration behind his distinctive designs, and, naturally, his own journey into cigars and the experiences that have shaped his passion for them.

What immediately sets Ashlar House apart is its use of volcanic obsidian – a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed from rapidly cooled lava 🤯. It’s not a material commonly associated with cigar accessories, which is precisely what makes the collection so intriguing.

About Ashlar House

Ashlar House is a design house specialising in handcrafted cigar accessories and decorative objects made from volcanic obsidian. The House present pieces that sit at the intersection of functional design and sculptural art.

Sourced from the volcanic Armenian Highlands, each piece is individually crafted and finished by hand by Vanakat, a specialist obsidian-working atelier, using traditional stone-working expertise alongside contemporary techniques. The result is a collection defined by exceptional craftsmanship, striking materiality and a sense of permanence that feels increasingly rare in today’s world.

As our conversation unfolded, it became clear that Ashlar House is about much more than cigar accessories. It’s a reflection of Hayk’s passion for aesthetics, craftsmanship and creating beautiful objects that elevate everyday rituals.

Interview

Here’s what he had to say.

First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself.

My professional background is in genetics and biogerontology research, but my professional life has gradually moved towards entrepreneurship, and brand-building. I now run a number of existing and emerging ventures, including Ashlar House.

Outside of work, visual aesthetics matter enormously to me. Photography is a serious hobby of mine, and that same instinct underpins everything I build. I like to bring beauty into everyday life, even through ordinary objects.

I think the world has, in many ways, shifted away from this perspective in recent decades, with much of what surrounds us becoming increasingly utilitarian. One particularly notices this when visiting museums and seeing how highly art was valued in past centuries, and how even everyday objects – watches, furniture, accessories and even ashtrays – were crafted with genuine artistic intention and excellence in mind.

Two places that have especially influenced my understanding of art and form are the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Wallace Collection in London. I greatly admire this approach and try, in my own way, to bring elements of it into the modern world.

Ashlar House is very much a result of that perspective. The core idea is to create cigar accessories and objects that are not only functional but also visually and materially compelling.

Cigars sit somewhere within this wider picture. For me, they have always been more about ritual than anything else. It began as a social activity with friends and remains so today. It is less about the cigar itself and more about what happens around it.

How did you first discover cigars?

If memory serves, I had my first proper cigar around four years ago, though I would say I only really got into cigars and started smoking more consistently over the past two years.

Do you remember the very first cigar you smoked?

Almost certainly a Davidoff, though I cannot remember the exact one. I bought it in Oxford from Havana House, the historic Frederick Tranter shop, which, if I am not mistaken, is the oldest cigar and tobacco shop in the city.

Honestly, for better or worse, I tend to remember the occasions and the company far more than the label. Unless a cigar truly stands out – for good or bad reasons – the specific make rarely stays with me.

I think that says something about why I smoke cigars in the first place. It has always been about the connection people share through the ritual.

Having lived in London for the past few years, what’s your take on the city’s cigar scene?

Coming from Yerevan, my point of reference is quite different. The cigar world there is still relatively new and, in many ways, emerging as a modern luxury culture. During the Soviet period, cigars were essentially non-existent, so there is not the same historical continuity or deeply rooted tradition around them.

In contrast, what I have found in London is fascinating. It feels very much like an active cigar hub, shaped by a long-standing tradition of private members’ clubs, as well as the city’s history in international trade and commerce.

All of this has contributed to a distinct and refined cigar culture. It was, in fact, this very culture that first drew me in and gradually deepened my interest in cigars.

Spending time within London’s club scene also exposed me to some of the finest cigar accessories and traditions surrounding the ritual. At the same time, I felt there was room for accessories that were not only functional but artistic in their own right – objects with a stronger sense of permanence, craftsmanship and materiality. Those observations would eventually help inspire the creation of Ashlar House.

You’re a familiar face in many of London’s private members’ clubs. Are there any that stand out as favourite places to enjoy a cigar?

Indeed, I visit private members’ clubs quite often and, more often than not, I will enjoy a cigar there. Over the years, I have enjoyed cigars at places such as The Reform Club, The East India Club, The Oxford and Cambridge Club, Home House and several others, each with its own atmosphere and character.

For someone with access to these exclusive venues in London’s Clubland, they naturally become a preferred setting over conventional cigar lounges. There is an ease and familiarity to them that a dedicated lounge rarely replicates. At a lounge you are a guest; at a club where you are a member, you are at home.

That said, dedicated cigar lounges have their own charm and unique character, and I have enjoyed visiting several in London and beyond. They are simply a different experience rather than a lesser one.

Each club stands out in its own way. In terms of the cigar experience itself, I would highlight two in particular. The East India Club has a dedicated cigar sampling lounge, which is increasingly rare among private members’ clubs today. I also greatly enjoy my cigar ritual in the garden of the Reform Club.

The Reform was the first club I joined, and I have had many memorable afternoons and evenings there, so I will admit there may be a little bias involved.

At what point did the idea for Ashlar House begin to take shape?

The idea had been at the back of my mind for around a year before I formally established the company at the beginning of 2026. It emerged naturally from a combination of personal interests – my growing appreciation for cigars and the rituals surrounding them, alongside a longstanding sensitivity to aesthetics, proportion and visual composition – as well as connections within the art and craft industries.

For those who haven’t come across the brand before, what exactly is Ashlar House?

Ashlar House is, at its core, a material-driven luxury design house focused on sculptural objects and accessories that sit somewhere between function and art.

While our primary collections are centred around cigar accessories, the broader idea is not limited to that category. It is about approaching everyday objects with greater intention, materiality and form. Many objects in this space prioritise function while overlooking their potential as aesthetic pieces. Ashlar House is, in many ways, a response to that.

Ashlar House works in exclusive collaboration with Vanakat, a specialist Armenian obsidian atelier, as the exclusive representative of its work in the UK.

We are also currently working with several other specialist ateliers and, in the near future, plan to expand beyond obsidian into new materials and forms.

At its core, the aim remains the same: to reintroduce a sense of permanence and artistic intention into objects that are too often treated as purely utilitarian.

Volcanic obsidian isn’t a material most people would associate with cigar accessories 😁. What drew you to it?

Obsidian is a remarkable material. It possesses a natural depth, texture and character that few other materials can match. Every piece carries subtle variations that make it entirely unique.

Beyond its visual qualities, I was drawn to the fact that it is a natural volcanic glass with a rich geological history. There is something compelling about transforming a material formed through volcanic activity into an object designed to be enjoyed for generations.

What sort of pieces are currently available through Ashlar House?

At present, our largest collection consists of obsidian ashtrays, though we also offer cigar boards, lighters and drinking glasses.

We are currently developing several new product lines, including a highly distinctive cigar case collection, which we hope to launch in the coming months.

Do you also take on bespoke commissions and custom projects?

Absolutely. Alongside the products available through our website, we undertake bespoke commissions. These can include cigar accessories, interior design pieces, kitchenware, decorative objects and wall art, examples of which can be viewed on our website.

What defines luxury, in my view, is the ability to create something personal and individual. That flexibility is a central part of what we do.

Is there a particular piece in the collection that you’re especially proud of?

The ashtrays remain particularly special due to both the material itself and the level of craftsmanship involved in creating them. Some blur the line between accessory and sculpture.

One of my personal favourites is the Obscura, an artisanal sculptural ashtray that I believe perfectly represents the direction and philosophy of the brand.

Who do you see as the ideal Ashlar House customer?

There are two main audiences.

The first is private clients who appreciate craftsmanship, beauty and artistic objects within their living spaces.

The second is high-end hospitality venues, cigar lounges and private clubs that want distinctive pieces capable of elevating their environment and setting them apart from competitors.

What’s next for Ashlar House? Are there any new products or projects on the horizon?

We are actively developing several new collections and exploring additional materials beyond obsidian. We are also working on expanding our bespoke offering and collaborating with specialist artisans in other disciplines.

The ambition is to continue creating objects that balance functionality with artistic expression while remaining true to the craftsmanship that defines the brand.

Finally, if readers would like to learn more or commission a piece of their own, where should they go?

Our collections can be viewed on the Ashlar House website at ashlar-house.com

Because we aim to keep our projects highly individual and exclusive, enquiries regarding commissions, bespoke work or purchases can be directed to us directly via email at info@ashlar-house.com.

You heard it here first! Thanks again for the great conversation and the cigar, Hayk 🙏