Cigars
-
No 1 Lounge: New cigar sampling lounge set to open in Bristol in April
A new cigar sampling lounge and bar, No 1 Lounge, is set to open in Bristol next month, offering enthusiasts a space to sample premium cigars and experience curated tasting experiences. The venue is the latest venture from Bristol-based cigar merchant Salman Ullah, who already operates two Cigar Manor locations — one in Bristol and another…
-
A Visit to James Barber’s Tobacconist & Cohiba 60th Anniversary Dinner in Harrogate
This year, Cohiba is celebrating its 60th anniversary — six decades during which the brand has established itself as the world’s premium Cuban cigar. A box of 10 Cohiba Behike 52 cigars costs £3,500, which is around £350 per cigar. A Cohiba Behike 56 is approximately £500-£650 per cigar. There were rumours about a new…
-
Dominique London Opens Flagship La Casa del Habano on Pall Mall
After months of anticipation, Dominique London today officially opens its flagship La Casa del Habano boutique at 26 Pall Mall, London. The two-floor store welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 to 21:00, offering a curated luxury experience for both seasoned collectors and newcomers. The Pall Mall location marks the seventh La Casa del Habano in the UK,…
-
An evening at The Lanesborough: Inside London’s new pop-up, The Garden Room Cigar Terrace
Last night I found myself with one of the hottest tickets in town — the opening of a new pop-up sampling lounge at The Garden Room at The Lanesborough, just by Hyde Park Corner and a short walk from Knightsbridge — and what an event! The evening brought together some real heavyweights from the cigar…
-
An Interview with Lisardo of Toro Puro – Online Cigar Shop
I’m always excited to discover new cigar businesses across the UK, and last year I came across Lisardo Vivas from Cardiff who has created Toro Puro, an online cigar shop designed around the complete cigar ritual. From carefully selecting each cigar to the moment it arrives at your door, every step is crafted to make…
-
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…
-
The UK Aficionadas: Empowering the UK female cigar community
On Friday night, I had the pleasure of attending a cigar sampling event at London’s JJ Fox cigar merchant to celebrate the first year anniversary of the UK Aficionadas — a growing community of women passionate about cigars. The timing felt especially fitting as the celebration coincided with International Women’s Day, a moment dedicated to…
-
My visit to ProCigar Festival 2026 – Dominican Republic – Reflections
Oh wow — where do I even begin? I recently returned from an incredible week at the ProCigar Festival in the Dominican Republic, and I’m still processing it! 🤯😁 Seven unforgettable days in what many call “Cigar Country,” including four full days packed with festival adventures. Before the trip, throughout the festival, and after returning…
-
A visit to La Aurora Field & Factory
The ProCigar Festival is the Dominican Republic’s annual premium cigar event, held each February in Santiago de los Caballeros, opening the industry’s fields and factories during harvest season. I visited three factories during the festival. The third and final one was La Aurora – its said to be the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican…
-
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…
-
Tobacco & Vapes Bill: Where things stand
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill (Bill 121) is currently progressing through Parliament. Its central proposal is to introduce a “generational” ban on tobacco sales, preventing anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever legally purchasing tobacco products. The measure is intended to reduce long-term smoking rates and forms part of the Government’s manifesto commitments. What the bill…
-
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…