London Cigar Smoker
-
The Essex Cigar Company – Sampling Room opens in Shenfield, Essex
A couple of years ago, I made a trip down to Shenfield Wines Co in Essex, for one of their Sip & Smoke events. It was a brilliant experience. The wine shop housed an impressive cigar humidor, the outdoor seating was spot on, and there was already a strong sense of community among local cigar…
-
A visit to the La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Factory
Every February, Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic comes alive for the ProCigar Festival, a celebration of premium cigars. This year, I had the privilege of visiting La Flor Dominicana (LFD), the second factory visit of this festival — here’s how it went down👇. Walking into the LFD factory with Litto Gomez as…
-
A visit to the Davidoff Tobacco Fields & Factory – From Seed to Shop
The ProCigar Festival is the Dominican Republic’s annual celebration of premium cigars, held each February in Santiago de los Caballeros and the surrounding tobacco-growing regions. Timed deliberately with harvest season, it is the time of year when the industry opens its doors — granting access to tobacco fields, curing barns, fermentation rooms, and factory floors. I…
-
Tony Spacey, founder of Cigar Lounge Derby, dies
Tony Spacey, the founder of Cigar Lounge Derby, has died, his family has announced. A statement posted on the business’s social media page over the weekend said: “With great sadness… It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tony, founder of our businesses and a much-loved husband, father, friend and colleague. Tony…
-
James J Fox cigar shop makes appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix series
For many Londoners — and cigar aficionados around the world — James J. Fox needs little introduction. The St James’s institution, long associated with Winston Churchill, has now found itself before a global audience after featuring on Netflix’s ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman’. The veteran broadcaster David Letterman filmed a short…
-
A visit to the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club, Santiago, Dominican Republic
I’m in the Dominican Republic for the annual ProCigar Festival, and my first stop for a cigar had to be the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club in Santiago de los Caballeros. The shop and lounge are located inside Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton, a stylish four-star property that blends contemporary design with Dominican character. The cigar shop and club…
-
ProCigar Festival 2026: Live Reporting
The ProCigar Festival 2026 takes place 17–20 February in the Dominican Republic, bringing cigar lovers together in Santiago for factory tours, tobacco field visits, exclusive releases and gala dinners. Hosted by ProCigar the Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers, it’s a full-on celebration of Dominican craftsmanship at the height of harvest season. I arrived on Saturday 14 February.…
-
Attending my first international cigar festival: ProCigar Festival 2026 🇩🇴
This is mad — I’ve just arrived in the Dominican Republic after the long haul from London (via Madrid!) and I’m here for my very first international cigar festival: ProCigar Festival 2026 (17–20 February). Even writing that feels surreal. What started as simply reviewing cigars and visiting shops because I love the hobby has somehow led me…
-
XXVI Festival del Habano Postponed
Cigar Journal reported this morning that this month’s XXVI Festival del Habano, scheduled to take place in Havana, Cuba from 23 to 27 February 2026, has been postponed. Similar reports later followed from Half Wheel and Cigar Aficionado. According to the publication, the decision had been under consideration for some time and was finalised more…
-
Exploring La Casa del Habano in Switzerland: A mini tour of Mendrisio & Lugano
Over the past year, I’ve visited more La Casa del Habano locations than ever before. You might remember my La Casa UK Tour, which included visiting newly opened locations in Sheffield and Long Eaton (Nottingham), followed by overseas visits to La Casa del Habano in Gran Canaria and Cyprus. So, when Massimo de Munari—whom I…
-
Where to smoke cigars in Milan, Italy
As someone who regularly writes about cigar shops, sampling lounges, and cigar-friendly spaces, I get a steady stream of messages across email, social media, and WhatsApp. They usually follow the same pattern: “I’m in [this city] — where can I enjoy a good cigar? Any recommendations?”. That question came up recently in relation to Milan.…
-
DeART Italy: Inside the factory where the world’s finest cigar humidors are made
Over the past few years, I’ve set myself a personal mission: to visit every single cigar shop, sampling lounge, and cigar-dedicated terrace in London. So far, I’ve explored and reviewed around 44 establishments across the capital – most people are surprised at how many there are in one city. Along the way, one pattern has…
-
Punch Néctares No.50: Ireland’s First Habanos Regional Edition Launches in the UK
Cigar events take place across the UK every week, but on Thursday evening the hottest ticket in town was at James J. Fox on St James’s Street, London, for the UK launch of the Punch Néctares No.50 — Ireland’s first Habanos Regional Edition. Guests arrived from 6.30pm for the standing-room-only event on the ground floor…
-
XXVI Festival del Habano: What we know so far
As of 14th February 2026, Habanos S.A. has confirmed that this year’s festival has been postponed. More information is available here. The 26th Festival del Habano, Cuba’s flagship cigar event, is set to take place in Havana from 23 to 27 February 2026, against the backdrop of heightened international interest marking the 60th anniversary of Cohiba, the…
-
A Visit to Sam’s Aroma House – Cigar Sampling Lounge, Colchester, Essex
We’re a couple of weeks into 2026, and it’s time to visit another new cigar establishment — this time Sam’s Aroma House, located in the heart of Colchester, Essex 🙌. The venue offers a curated selection of cigars alongside a dedicated sampling lounge. I first wrote about it when it opened last year, and finally had…