A Cigar Smoker's Guide To London

It has been said many times, by many people, that London is a man’s city — and a truer declaration has never been uttered.

From the financial district, The City, to Savile Row and Burlington Arcade to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium London, it was built by and for men (gentle or otherwise). Punctuating this fact is London’s cigar scene — one that makes it arguably the world’s grandest tobacconist capital.

Sadly, like all cigar capitals, urbane or not, this one has fallen prey to a myriad of anti-smoking ordinances, including one from last summer so draconian that Prince Phillip probably can’t even light up in his own study at Buckingham Palace for risk of offending the tourists. With the exception of the few sanctuaries listed below, the only safe place to smoke these days here is in homes, or while out for a stroll through one of the city’s stunning parks. Surely Churchill is spinning like a top in his grave.

But all hope is not lost! The big dispatch from London is that Alfred Dunhill is leaving its home of 100 years on Jerman Street for Bourdon House, a legendary city-mansion reminiscent of those fortresses on Fifth Avenue. Replete with a private cinema, wine cellars, lounge area, Bentley concierge service and even a barber for a quick shave, the focus here is nonetheless, first and foremost cigars — part of the lower ground floor will include a retail area, along with 250 cigar lockers (some of which can hold up to 2,500 sticks) and a vintage cigar menu, complete with selections from the 1960s and ’70s.

Indeed, the flame never goes out on the British Empire.

For a downloadable map of London showing cigar stores and cigar-friendly hotels, bars and restaurants, click on this link: Map of a Cigar Lover's London

Below are some highlights of our tour of London...

Puro Exclusivo Para Reino unido

The storied Cuban Por Larrañaga gives the United Kingdom an extraordinary treat

Last November, Habanos S.A. and their exclusive UK distributor, Hunters & Frankau, unveiled the Por Larrañaga Magnifico, a double banded, 6 ¾” x 50 ring gauge monster modeled after the legendary Magnum size. For sale exclusively in the United Kingdom, it was still readily available throughout London’s finer smokes shops at press time.

Por Larrañaga was registered as a trademark in 1834, making it the oldest handmade Havanas still produced. The Magnifico is a testament to this time and honor-bound brand — extremely limited, with a mere 1,428 numbered boxes (1,020 boxes of 10 and 408 boxes of 25) produced. A brilliant cigar — smooth, medium bodied and delicious — and no doubt capable of aging with an aplomb worthy of its forbearers.

cigars.co.uk

Smoking Lane

Do you have an Alfred Hitchcock fantasy of puffing on a robusto while screening Rear Window?

If so, you can live it out in the InterContinental London Park Lane’s Cinema Suite. Other fantasies can also be accommodated — a puff on the old hookah while taking a bath is likewise not a problem.

In spite of the numerous anti-smoking ordinances in the UK, the entire sixth floor of the newly remodeled Park Lane remains exceedingly smoke-friendly. Once the site of a royal residence, the Park Lane is now the personification of modern sophistication and luxury. Located between Mayfair and Knightsbridge it is conveniently within walking distance of just about every great cigar store in London.

ichotelsgroup.com

The Lanesborough

A Liquid History of Flowing Spirits and Languid Smoke

Fancy a Davidoff Dom Pérignon with a Glenglassaugh 1984? Or perhaps a Dunhill Havana Club with an 1818 A.E. D’or Cognac? Then The Lanesborough would be your one-stop shop. Situated on Hyde Park Corner in the heart of London (for those who don’t know), The Lanesborough Hotel has created a dynamic duo in its Director of Food & Beverage Ajaz Sheikh and Library Bar Manger Giuseppe Ruo, who are doing their part to preserve what they call the Liquid History of the Library Bar — which many say is the Best Hotel Bar in the World. This Liquid History is a collection of some of the oldest and rarest Cognacs, Armagnacs and Whiskys in the world. However, the notion of “liquidity” is not limited to libations: Smoke is also part of heralded tradition, which is why the smoke-friendly Lanesborough Hotel Library Bar Terrace, formally known as The Garden Room, offers some of the most prized cigars ever produced.

Of course, such cherished treats come at a price — the DP Glenglassaugh combo will set you back almost £600 per round. Liquidity indeed.

lanesboroughlondon.com

Below, from left: Edward Sahakian, proprietor of Davidoff of London at 33 St. James's Street; Howard Smith of Alfred Dunhill, soon to set up shop at Bourdon House, 2 Davies Street.