Going to Scotland and London, should I buy cigars there?

[HoyoDC]

Any suggestions where and is it worth it price wise? Finally, will they have decent selections?  

[Odessa]

London: Davidoff of London, James J. Fox.

Is it worth it: no.

[NSXCIGAR]

Selection in the UK is usually very good... because nobody can afford it!

If you can get to Gibraltar it's among the cheapest places in Europe to buy cigars. 

[cigcars]

*Is Mitchell Orchant's cigar place in London and Scotland still in effect? You should be reasonably sure that all those Habanos are definitely legitimate and well aged.

[RDB]

I live in London and visit Scotland regularly. As above, availability is pretty good but prices are nuts.

My hot tip in Scotland is Jeffrey St Whisky & Tobacco in Edinburgh. 

[potpest]

Yeah selection is great, but expect to pay between $35 - $45 for a D4.
Prices vary greatly from shop to shop but nowhere is particularly cheap.

[MagicalBikeRide]

Selection is great and there are some fantastic shops with super staff, but you will pay the taxes, which are high.

Examples off top my head (est in USD)

Partagas D4 = $45-$50 USD 

Monte No 2 = $55-$60 USD 

Whilst prices are high, it is definitely worth buying one or two sticks and sitting in at a sampling lounge. It’s a nice experience. JJ Fox on St James and Sautter on Mount St would be my suggestions. 

[ha_banos]

AJ (no6 Cavendish) is about to break open an original release cab of 50 Fundadores. Bring mucho dinero 😁 loads of aged options

Mitch now has a cgars store about a half minute walk from jjfox. He's often there herfing. The abuse is for free 🤣 usually busy Thursday Friday evenings with guys herfing. Could even order online and collect in store. Some UK level discounts at the moment... 

The peninsula has great views apparently. Plushness. You can buy a crocodile skin wrapped humidor.

The sahakian sampling lounge at the bulgari. Where I met Kirby 😝 wood panelled and grown up.

Boisdales of Belgravia has a terrace you can smoke your own or they have cigars there too. Dinner, jazz, terrace after for cigar? Old Scottish themed in London. Our home from home.

All London places mentioned not really far from each other.

 

Edited January 27, 2024 by ha_banos
Add obligatory Kirby pic. Lol. Sorry. Last time. Just too topical.

[99call]

3 hours ago, ha_banos said:

All London places mentioned not really far from each other.

Or the OP could come to Manchester. There are many park benches here to enjoy a cigar, some even have their original paint in tact, and only a slight smattering of pigeon shit.  

On a serious note, if anyone is going to buy cigars in London, I think the smart money is to take best advantage of the rarity available, buy a few singles of discontinued/vintage stuff. Tick it off your bucket list.  

[ha_banos]

38 minutes ago, 99call said:

Or the OP could come to Manchester.   There are many park benches here to enjoy a cigar,  some even have their original paint in tact, and only a slight smattering of pigeon shit.  

On a serious note, If anyone is going to buy cigars in London, I think the smart money is to take best advantage of the rarity available, buy a few singles of discontinued/vintage stuff.  Tick it off your bucket list.  

 

London? Or Manchester?

[99call]

Just now, ha_banos said:

London? Or Manchester?

OOOoooh it's a toughie!

[HoyoDC]

London and Edinburgh 

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Mitch now has a cgars store about a half minute walk from jjfox. He's often there herfing. The abuse is for free 🤣 usually busy Thursday Friday evenings with guys herfing. Could even order online and collect in store. Some UK level discounts at the moment...

Can you bring your own cigars to any of these?

[ChangBang]

Bring your own if you just want to smoke cigars. If you want mostly the experience then knock yourself out and bring your wallet....

I found a few cigar bars and lounges where you can bring your own and just had a minimum spend of like $50 or so.  If you do buy, do as @99call said and get something you can't usually find on your own.

[MagicalBikeRide]

27 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Can you bring your own cigars to any of these?

Not legally. There is technically no indoor smoking allowed in workplaces. Cigar lounges have an exemption of sorts - whereby a customer is allowed to try a single stick in the shop - premise being that the customer needs to experience the cigar before committing to an entire box. 

[ha_banos]

32 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Can you bring your own cigars to any of these?

Only to the terraces. They are officially open outdoor spaces. Even though they can be quite well covered and heated. Eg. No 10 Manchester.

[HoyoDC]

1 hour ago, ChangBang said:

Bring your own if you just want to smoke cigars.  If you want mostly the experience then knock yourself out and bring your wallet....

I found a few cigar bars and lounges where you can bring your own and just had a minimum spend of like $50 or so.  If you do buy, do as 99call said and get something you can't usually find on your own.

 

1 hour ago, ChangBang said:

Bring your own if you just want to smoke cigars.  If you want mostly the experience then knock yourself out and bring your wallet....

I found a few cigar bars and lounges where you can bring your own and just had a minimum spend of like $50 or so.  If you do buy, do as 99call said and get something you can't usually find on your own.

Thank you.  Great to know. Do they even have good selection options f you want to buy?  Love the bar idea.  A Macallan and a cigar. Nothing better.  

[ChangBang]

Seems like they will have the more common brands. You could always buy at the cigar shop and take it to the bar?

https://www.corinthia.com/globalassets/hotel-london/documents/menus/the-garden/corinthia-london-the-garden-cigar-menu-winter.pdf

https://www.thechurchillbar.co.uk/menus

Those are 2 smoking bars that I visited when I was there so you can get a feel of cost.  Not sure if the cigar shops are anymore affordable.

[HoyoDC]

Yes, you are right!  And the prices are high as mentioned. Maybe some fun browsing and buy if something special is available.  

Thank you for the link!

[GoodStix]

14 hours ago, HoyoDC said:

Macallan and a cigar. Nothing better.

I can’t speak for UK prices, but across the pond here Mac 18 is pushing $1,000 CAD with taxes 😳. Tamdhu 15 and 18 are excellent sherried drams, similar to Mac, and far more affordable. Worth a try for those interested.

[BrightonCorgi]

7 hours ago, GoodStix said:

I can’t speak for UK prices, but across the pond here Mac 18 is pushing $1,000 CAD with taxes 😳. Tamdhu 15 and 18 are excellent sherried drams, similar to Mac, and far more affordable. Worth a try for those interested.

MacCallan 18 is under $400 around here with no additional taxes

 

[HoyoDC]

Love Macallan 18! I had 25 at a friend’s house which was incredible but not willing to pay the price. 

[Nevrknow]

6 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

MacCallan 18 is under $400 around here with no additional taxes

My son in laws and I enjoy " the Mac" as we call it. The double cask is our fav. Need another bottle or 2. The dummy ( he knows who he is ) spilled part of my last bottle at the lake.  😒🤦🏼‍♂️

😂😂 worth it for the hell we give him to this day! 😂😂

We won't shirk a 12 either tho. 👍🏻

[GoodStix]

6 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

MacCallan 18 is under $400 around here with no additional taxes

Wow!  I’m headed to your southern border now 😉

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, GoodStix said:

Wow!  I’m headed to your southern border now 😉

Wait till it's on sale!  I am sure there are better prices than those (NH Liquor Store) at some liquor stores in MA.