Cigar Review
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A review of the new Havana House Cortesano cigar, blended by Eladio Diaz
Blimey, Havana House aren’t messing about. After months of anticipation, first sparked by a brief reveal last August — last month they finally released their first custom-blended cigar at a really reasonable price point… and it tastes great! In recent years, several UK retailers have launched their own house blends. JJ Fox introduced the Fox…
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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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Ramón Allones Absolutos Edición Limitada 2024: UK Launch and Review
After a year of anticipation and international rollout, Hunters & Frankau (H&F) has officially launched the Ramón Allones Absolutos Edición Limitada 2024 to the UK market. The launch event took place from November 10 to 14, 2025, featuring 52 events organised by Habanos Specialist retailers in cities across the country, including London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and…
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Wowzers! My first CAO Amazon Basin cigar experience…
A few weeks ago, during the Havana House Windsor Cigar Cruise… … I had the pleasure of meeting Jayce, who has been following my cigar journey on this blog and social media. I really enjoy connecting with people this way, and I’m grateful that Jayce reached out to me at the event. It’s always interesting…
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Celebrating 90 Years: The Perdomo x Mitchells Wines anniversary cigar
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…
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Notorious Cigars by Conor McGregor – Are they worth the hype?
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has officially launched his own line of cigars called Notorious Cigars. After debuting in the United States, the cigars are now in the UK and will be available soon. This new venture follows the successful releases of Proper No. Twelve whiskey, Forged Stout beer, and the opening of his pub,…
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Montecristo Open Slam – UK launch and sampling events
Following its announcement at the Habanos Festival XXIII in 2023—and as I mentioned last month on the blog—the Montecristo Open Slam has officially landed in the UK. It is now available at Havana Cigar Specialists and selected hospitality venues across the country. The latest addition to Montecristo’s Open Series According to a recent update by…
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Sampling EGM cigars
If you’ve been active on social media in recent years and follow the cigar community, you’ve probably come across posts or viral videos from EGM Cigars. This Switzerland-based brand and online cigar store has been making a significant impact online, gradually building a dedicated following. A popular trend showcases some of London’s top cigar sommeliers,…
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Delving into the world of Casa 1910 cigars
Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting City of London Cigars in Spitalfields, just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street Station. Upon stepping into their walk-in humidor, I was immediately captivated by an open box of cigars. The packaging was eye-catching—an orange box that held cigars adorned with bands in white, orange, green, and…
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Kiskeya Cigars unleashed in the UK
In recent years, the UK has seen a rise in the amount of small, independent cigar brands that are proudly UK-owned, serving enthusiasts by importing and distributing cigars nationwide. However, these smaller companies are up against considerable challenges, particularly because of stringent Track & Trace regulations put in place to counter the illegal tobacco trade.…
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Cuban vs New World Cigar – Blind Tasting
Many people, myself included, often ask whether Cuban cigars are better than non Cuban cigars aka ‘New World’ cigars – a term us Brits often use to describe cigars made in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The country and region where a cigar is produced have a significant impact on its flavour, aroma, and…
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My InterTabac experience 2024
Just over two weeks ago, I attended my first InterTabac event, and what an experience it was! From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by the best folk in the cigar world (minus Habanos S.A., who sadly pulled out earlier in the year). I met great people, smoked amazing cigars, and discovered exciting new…
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Sampling the new Trinidad Cabildos Limited Edition 2024 cigar at Soho Whisky Club, London
After being captivated by the Habanos World Days event in London earlier this year and enjoying the Trinidad Tasting Time event at Sautter’s Knightsbridge, where we sampled the Trinidad Fundadores cigar, I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with the new Trinidad Cabildos Limited Edition 2024 cigar. However, with a steep price of around £160…
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Exploring Number 11: A new arrival in the UK cigar and spirit scene
As I’ve progressed from being a cigar novice to an enthusiast, I’ve always been keen to try as many different cigar brands as possible. While I’m familiar with several renowned UK cigar specialist shops that produce and offer their own branded cigars, I have recently noticed a small increase in the number of independent UK…
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Meeting author Alexander Groom of El Habano Moderno: A Collector’s Guide to Cuban Cigars at James J Fox
So for those of you that don’t know there is a brand new cigar book available to cigar newbies, enthusiasts and connoisseurs at James J Fox, it’s called El Habano Modern: A Collector’s Guide to Cuban Cigars and it’s written by Aussie author Alexander Groom. Some of you may already be familiar with his name,…