London Cigar Smoker
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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The Cigar Merchant opens at DUKES Hotel London
It’s a brand-new year, and while the world’s news may already feel a little chaotic just two weeks in 🤯, it’s an exciting time for cigar enthusiasts in London. The city is welcoming several new cigar shops and sampling lounges. The first this year has just opened its doors — say hello to The Cigar…
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Punch Néctares No. 50 Edición Regional Irlanda to get a UK release
A rare Cuban cigar made only for Ireland will be sold in the UK for the first time. The official UK launch will take place in central London. The Punch Néctares No. 50 is the first Habanos Regional Edition ever made only for Ireland. It was available only in Ireland for six months. From February,…
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Celebrating 5 Years of London Cigar Smoker — Plus a Review of 2025’s Best Cigar Events!
Can you believe it’s been five years to the day since I started this blog? I honestly can’t believe it myself! 🤯 It all started on the 27th December, 2020, during the COVID lockdown. I was bored and wanted a new challenge, so I set myself a cigar challenge: to smoke one of each brand from the…
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The Chancery Rosewood to open cigar terrace in partnership with Sautters in 2026
According to various sources, a new cigar terrace is set to open in 2026 at The Chancery Rosewood in Mayfair, further expanding the luxury offerings at the landmark hotel housed in London’s former US Embassy. The Chancery Rosewood, which opened in September 2025 following a £1bn restoration, occupies the reimagined embassy building on Grosvenor Square.…
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A sneak peek behind the scenes of new La Casa del Habano flagship on Pall Mall
As reported in September, London is set to welcome a new La Casa del Habano flagship store on Pall Mall, with Dominique London planning to open in spring 2026. Located at No. 26 Pall Mall, near several of London’s historic private members’ clubs, the site remains under construction. A behind-the-scenes tour shared today on the…
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Corita Cigars ‘Expairing’: Experience Meets Pairing
The more time I spend traveling and dipping my toe into the global cigar scene, the clearer it becomes how different the UK market is from what’s available elsewhere. Ultimately, what fills our humidors is largely influenced by importers and distributors, and with limited shelf space dominated by long-established legacy brands, it must be super…
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Around the World in 80 Cigars – The American Dream: PCA and Nick Hammond announce landmark literary collaboration
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced a partnership with acclaimed British author Nick Hammond to produce a new book: Around the World in 80 Cigars – The American Dream. This work will serve as the third volume in Hammond’s celebrated “Around the World” series, following Travels of an Epicure and There and Back Again.…