"Just when you are looking for a cigar shop, three come along at once". I was visiting the Design Museum in Kensington and stopped off at Earls Court as I'd spotted The Smoking Jacket via a web search. The friendly and helpful Sonal told me they had been open since 2008 and also had branches in Gloucester Road and Old Brompton Road. Sonal recommended a particulary good cigar which made my trip to the Design Museum all the better.

Our London reporter has stumbled across two new locations, both which have been open for a few years now. Firstly Smoker's Paradise on Fenchurch St, the shop opened here after the Bank location was closed. Not yet visited it during the day time but I'm sure it will be top quality.

Secondly a cigar bar right in the middle of town. Just next door to Victoria station is TomTom Mess Hall, a small cafe with coffee some excellent looking cakes. However down stairs in the basement is a bar with a well stocked humidor. Out of the back is a garden with seating, heating and some shelter where you can enjoy a drink and cigar.

Cigars & Cybernetics is a new podcast series about systems, technology, aesthetics, and cigars. From @gsvoss & @wesleygoatley. There's a diverse range of topics and guests along with fine cigars and whisky.

Niel Kerber has created some excellent cartoons for cigar enthusiasts. Find them on the inside of the matchboxes available at Sautter cigars.

Cigar Box Guitar - Build and Play Workshop by OddBox Guitars on Sat, October 28, 2017 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Spend your Saturday making a fully functional cigar box guitar with hardwood neck and genuine Havana cigar box. The team supply the materials, knowhow and tools. No prior woodworking knowlege is necessary although being able draw a straight line would help.

If you travel with Emirates you'll be familiar with their luxurious lounges. Secret Lives of the Super Rich on CNBC looks at their lounge in Dubai in detail, including their cigar lounge and bar.

Saturday Cigar training is available at Sautter, learn the history of cigars, how cigars are made and how best to keep and smoke your cigars. Package includes, a selection of cigars, lighter and cutter, tasting notes and a cigar portfolio book.

The Boisdale Canary Warrf is celebrarting the Snow Queen Cigar Smoker of the Year on Mon, December 12, 2016 at 19:00. Ticket prices start at £175 and include dinner and aged whiskey and rum. Cigar Smoker of the Year 2016 nominees include:

• Jeremy Irons
• Idris Elba
• Sir Ian Botham
• Cillian Murphy
• Kelsey Grammer
• Tom Hardy
• Ricky Gervais
• David Dimbleby

A violin made from one of Winston Churchill’s cigar boxes was one of the starring lots at Ingles & Hayday October 25 auction. Gerry O’Brien from the Churchill Arms bought the 1956 instrument for £5500. The violin was made from a 12½in (32cm) long box lid, it is branded Fabrica Tabacos Don Joaquin, Habana, and has a label reading Sir Winston Churchill. The violin plays well and was demonstrated by Sir Yehudi Menuhin on US radio in 1958.

To mark the 90th birthday of Fidel Castro veteran tobacconist Jose Castelar and team rolled a 90m long cigar. The cigar took 10 days to make and the length was sent to the Guinness book of records.

Fidel passed away on November 25, 2016, Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba

1A St. James’s is also in the awards this year, having gained the ‘The Cigar Retailer of the Year’. UK cigar expert Robert Emery leads the team at 1A St James’s. Commenting on the award Robert said: “We were in some highly esteemed company, our fellow nominees represent the very best in cigar retailing in the UK. This makes it all the more significant for us that our plans for delivering a different style of service for today’s cigar and tobacco lovers have been appreciated.” 1A St James’s offers sought-after and newly discovered cigars and is the place to explore the world of fine and classic tobacco taste with the help of a knowledgeable team. In this ethos, the store hosts events, where for example, cigars can be paired with adventurous spirits and wines.

Laurence Davis wins the 2015 Silver Chaveta trophy for his outstanding contribution to the UK fine cigar trade including Habanos sales, promotion of Habanos, presentation, innovation and investment. Laurence has been running Sautter of Mayfair since 2006 and has installed a row of refurbished seats from the Royal Albert Hall into the shop. He can be found on many a weekend afternoon, perched on a high stool on the other side of the counter, chatting with friends and customers over fine Cuban cigars.

Sautter Cigars is one of the premium brands forming the Quintessentially Wine and Gentleman's Atelier at Skinners' Hall later in the month. For more details visit their shops in Mayfair or Knightsbridge.

I thought I'd provide a few notes on travelling to the USA. There's been press this year about the relaxation of the restrictions on Cuban cigars. However this ONLY applies to visitors travelling directly from Cuba who are bringing the cigars for their own consumption. So it's best to make sure that any cigars you bring from the UK are not identified as cuban. See U.S. Customs and Border Protection - personal use and U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Importing Cuban Cigars

Purchasing Cuban-origin cigars and/or Cuban-origin rum or other Cuban-origin alcohol over the internet or while in a third country (i.e. not Cuba) remains prohibited.

Voltaire has been open for a few years and has been running cigar evenings for quite some time too. It's skipped my attention as it's in a part of London that I don't visit often, just opposite Blackfriars station. I was looking for a place to meet some friends on a Friday evening so thought I'd see what they had to offer. There's a large bar area with friendly staff and a large humidor, and we encamped in one of their vaults for the evening.

I smoked some Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2 which were in good condition and smoked well. The vaults have previously been used to house prisoners and bank treasures but they are very comfortable now and we had a most enjoyable evening.