Cuba
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Cohiba Talismán 2017–2026: The cigar coming full circle in London
First launched in London in 2017 as a Cohíba Edición Limitada, the Talismán quickly became a sought-after cigar in the Cohíba portfolio. Nine years later, it returns to the same city with a very different status: as a permanent member of the Cohíba Línea Clásica. As we prepare for a major celebration in London this…
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My review of the Romeo y Julieta Amantes cigar
Sometimes I smoke a cigar and then have to sit down and write about it afterwards — this is one of those times. I’d been wanting to try the Romeo y Julieta Amantes for a long time. I first came across it through social media, seeing posts and videos from people I follow who had attended the 2025…
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Inside La Casa del Habano Pall Mall: Dominique London’s new luxury cigar destination
After months of anticipation, the UK’s premium flagship, La Casa del Habano at 26 Pall Mall, officially opened its doors in Central London on the 26 March 2026. I’ve been sharing updates along the way in several articles: London to welcome new flagship La Casa del Habano on Pall Mall A sneak peek behind the scenes…
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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,…
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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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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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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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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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Montecristo Open Slam is on its way to the UK!
For those following the Habanos Festival, you may have heard about this cigar’s announcement in 2023. While it takes a bit of time for Cuban cigars to reach our shores after festival announcements, the Montecristo Open Slam is set to be released by Hunters & Frankau shortly in cigar shops up and down the country.…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 7 – Where to eat, the blackouts and final impressions
And just like that—I’ve reached the final part of My Cigar Adventure to Cuba. What an incredible journey it’s been. I’m so glad I took the plunge and booked this trip with Surrey Cigars for March 2025. Honestly, it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was well anxious about going with a random group of people…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 6 – The Cigar Shops & Sampling Lounges
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to spend seven unforgettable nights in Cuba with Surrey Cigars. This post is all about the cigar shops and sampling lounges we visited during our time in Havana Cuba. Including what I purchased and brought back… If you missed the earlier posts, catch up here: Part 1 – Before…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 5 – The Cigar Factories
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to spend seven unforgettable nights in Cuba with Surrey Cigars. It was truly a dream trip and worth every penny. For £2,000, we experienced an action-packed itinerary, diving deep into Cuba’s rich cigar heritage as a group of ten passionate enthusiasts. It’s not something I could have ever…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 4 – Hector Luis Prieto Tobacco Plantation
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to spend 7 unforgettable nights in Cuba 🇨🇺 with Surrey Cigars. It was truly a dream trip and worth every penny. For £2k, we experienced an action-packed itinerary, delving into Cuba’s rich cigar history as a group of ten passionate cigar enthusiasts. This was an experience I never…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 3 – Visiting the Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Plantation
Last month, I went on my first-ever trip to Cuba 🇨🇺 with a small tour group of cigar enthusiasts, organised by Surrey Cigars. I still can’t quite believe it happened! Visiting this country has been a dream of mine ever since I developed a passion for cigars—definitely bucket list stuff. This is Part 3 of my cigar…
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My Cigar Adventure to Cuba – 2 – Getting there and first impressions
Earlier this month, I took my first-ever trip to Cuba 🇨🇺 with a small tour group organised by Surrey Cigars. I still can’t believe it happened! Visiting this country has been a dream of mine ever since I developed a passion for cigars—definitely bucket list stuff! I have a lot to share from my trip,…