It was ten years ago that the UK cigar scene lost one of its most recognisable journalists and advocates, Nic Wing.

I only met Nic once, but that one meeting had a bigger impact on me than he could ever have known.

I went on one of Nic’s Cuban Cigar Walks around London, and while I’ve been on plenty of walking tours over the years, that one was different.

It opened my eyes to a side of London that I simply hadn’t appreciated before.

Nic showed us just how accessible the city’s cigar scene was — the cigar shops, the sampling lounges, the history and, most importantly, the people behind them.

For me, that walk changed everything.

At the time, I don’t think I fully appreciated just how much that experience would influence my own journey into cigars. But looking back now, I can see that Nic gave me something much more valuable than a walking tour.

He gave me a way into the London cigar scene.

Nic Wing and the UK cigar scene

Nic had come into the cigar world through a rather unusual route.

Around 2008, he read an article by Simon Chase of Hunters & Frankau about visiting some of London’s great cigar merchants on foot. That inspired Nic to create the Cuban Cigar Walk London, taking enthusiasts around some of the capital’s historic cigar landmarks.

It eventually led to his involvement with Sautter of Mount Street, where he became a familiar face and conducted cigar training for beginners.

Nic also wrote for publications including Cigar Aficionado and Country Life. His work wasn’t simply about reviewing cigars. He was interested in the people, businesses, history and culture surrounding them.

In 2015, he launched UK Cigar Scene, an online magazine dedicated to the British cigar world.

Across its 18 issues, Nic covered new releases, industry developments, events and the people involved in the UK cigar trade.

He also produced a huge amount of video content, interviewing people from across the cigar world.

Looking back at those interviews now, they provide a fascinating snapshot of the UK cigar scene of that period.

Nic also became involved with the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders, becoming a Freeman and later a Liveryman in 2015. In January 2016, he became a Court Assistant.

Following his death, Nic was awarded Cigar Writer of the Year, with his wife Sally accepting the award on his behalf.

His Cuban Cigar Walk continued in his memory, with friends organising a memorial walk through London in April 2017. More than £16,000 was raised for the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

Nic Wing (1958-2016). Gone but not forgotten.

If you’re lighting up a cigar over the next couple of days, raise it to Nic 🙏🏻.

You can watch all of Nic’s YouTube interviews here, and there’s also a lovely tribute to Nic over at The Eccentric Club.