The Sampling Lounges of London – Part 1
London’s cigar tasting rooms beckon to aficionados of the leaf, promising an experience like no other. Within the walls of these sanctuaries, the air is thick with the smoky aroma of cigars, and comfort envelopes you as you unwind in indulgent bliss. In these havens of tobacco, the staff is well-versed in the art of cigars, guiding you in selecting the perfect one for your taste buds.
Each is renowned for their extensive selection of cigars from around the world. From the bold flavours of Cuba to the nuanced notes of the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, these rooms offer a journey through the world of cigars. And, for those seeking a perfectly paired libation, there are also a variety of drinks to choose from, such as whiskey and cognac.
If you’re a novice to the world of cigars, there is no need to fret. The knowledgeable staff at these tasting rooms are eager to assist you in selecting a cigar that’s just right for you, based on your preferences and experience level. They will also guide you in the proper techniques for cutting, lighting, and smoking your cigar, ensuring an unforgettable experience. For both seasoned cigar aficionados and those just beginning their journey, London’s cigar tasting rooms offer an enchanting adventure into the mysteries of the leaf.
In a series of four articles we will list these tasting rooms, in no particular order
Photo by Charles Postiaux on Unsplash
James J Fox
One of the oldest tobacco stores in London, or maybe even the oldest dating back till 1787. It started with Robert Lewis, who began trading fine tobacco in St James’s Street in 1787. James J Fox was formed in Dublin in 1881 and opened its first tobacco shop in London in 1947. Fox acquired the business of Robert Lewis on 14 September 1992, uniting two of the most respected names in the cigar world. Both companies now trade as JJ Fox and the shop on St. James Street is exempted from the smoking bans.
Situated on the first floor of the JJ Fox flagship store on St James’s Street, the sampling lounge can hold up to 27 guests comfortably.
James J Fox, 19 St James’s St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1ES
C.Gars St. James
If the lounge at J.J. Fox is full, it’s only a very short walk to the next cigar sampling room as Dominique London opened the C.Gars St. James Shop just two doors down at 23a St. James Street. It is one of the three sampling rooms operated by Dominique London within the city limits and we will visit the other two lounges in the next articles about the London Sampling Rooms
C.Gars St. James, 23a St James’s St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1HA
Sautter’s of Mount Street
Sautter, the world-renowned London Cigar store, was founded over 50 years ago in the heart of fashionable Mayfair. It has earned an enviable reputation in the world of cigars for aged and vintage Cuban cigars which makes it a magnet for lovers of exceptional cigars.
Sautter’s of Mount Street, 106 Mount St, London W1K 2TW
Edward Sahakian Cigar Shop at The Bulgari Hotel
Internationally renowned and multi-award-winning cigar merchant Edward Sahakian’s eponymous Cigar Shop and Sampling Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel has established itself as the premier London destination for connoisseurs in search of truly exceptional vintage cigars. Specialising in rare Havanas that are quite simply unobtainable elsewhere, the cigars are sourced from Edward Sahakian’s private collection, which has been assembled over the last forty years.
Edward Sahakian Cigar Shop at The Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW
