The Fascinating World of Vintage Cigars: Collectors, Connoisseurs & the UK Market
The world of vintage cigars is as alluring as it is enigmatic. Poorly defined and often misunderstood, it straddles the line between smoking pleasure and serious collecting. Over the past decade, the UK has emerged as one of the most active hubs for vintage cigar sales, with dedicated auctions, specialist merchants, and a growing number of private collectors.
Two Distinct Types of Vintage Buyer
Dr Maximilian Herzog, owner of three specialist cigar stores in Berlin and a respected figure in the vintage trade, explains that vintage buyers fall into two distinct groups.
- The smokers: Enthusiasts who seek the ultimate experience, tracking down specific box codes, limited editions, or rare vintages to enjoy cigars at their peak.
- The collectors and investors: Those who acquire rare cigars not necessarily to smoke, but to hold, admire, and potentially profit from as values appreciate over time.
Amir Saarony, author of Partagás El Libro and a seasoned collector, echoes this. Some collectors buy to satisfy a personal obsession with rarity, while others are driven by investment. Younger collectors, he notes, often play the long game, building portfolios they believe will appreciate over decades. Older buyers, meanwhile, are often driven by the thrill of smoking something almost impossible to obtain — a badge of honour and a mark of generosity when shared.
The UK’s Role in the Vintage Market
While the United States has a thriving pre-embargo Cuban cigar scene, the UK has become a true international hub for collectors thanks to its global reputation, trusted merchants, and world-class auction houses.
The Online Cigar Auctions in London, held twice yearly, now attract bidders worldwide. Sales often feature rare humidors, commemorative jars, discontinued Limited Editions, and legendary cigars from brands like Davidoff, Dunhill, Cohiba, and Partagás.
Historic British institutions such as JJ Fox of St James’s Street and Hunters & Frankau also play a central role, with deep vaults of vintage stock and provenance records that give collectors the confidence they seek.
What Collectors Are Chasing
Certain names always make pulses race:
- Cuban Davidoffs & Dunhills: The holy grail for many collectors, often commanding prices in the tens of thousands.
- Limited Editions from the 1990s: Early Habanos Edición Limitadas are increasingly rare and highly sought-after.
- Special humidors and jars: From the Hunters & Frankau Por Larrañaga Magnificos Humidor (2008) to Cohiba 30th Anniversary Robusto Especiales (1996), these limited productions have become crown jewels of many collections.
Recent London auction highlights include:
- A 1990 Cubatabaco 1492 Humidor of 50 cigars, fetching over £25,000.
- Ten Cohiba 30th Anniversary Robusto Especiales (1996), selling for £3,500.
- A Partagás 165th Anniversary Humidor of 100 cigars (2010), hammering at nearly £6,000 — triple its original release price.
Nic Barker, consultant at JJ Fox, notes: “Everyone has their own ‘Holy Grail.’ Popular lots include Davidoff Dom Perignons, Dunhill Don Candidos and Cabinettas, and more recently Cohiba Sublimes 2004 or Ramón Allones 8-9-8s. The best collectors are connoisseurs who understand not just the value, but the artistry of aged cigars.”
The Mystery and Discretion of the Market
Collectors are often discreet, reluctant to reveal sources or prices. Italian collector Gino Iannillo admits: “Each person has their passion — pre-Castro, jars, humidors. Dunhill and Davidoff are most searched, but not always the best to smoke today. Finding merchants you trust is key. In London, La Casa del Habano and JJ Fox are excellent.”
That trust factor matters. The UK market is regulated, and provenance is everything. With counterfeits rife, serious buyers increasingly turn to reputable merchants and auction houses where authentication is guaranteed.
Beyond Cuba: A Growing Interest in New World Vintages
While Cuba dominates, a small but growing niche exists for aged New World cigars. Collectors in the UK and Europe are beginning to explore vintage productions from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras — with names like Padrón 1926 Maduro, Fuente Fuente OpusX, and Avo Limited Editions quietly building followings.
A Market of Passion and Patience
The UK’s vintage cigar market is a blend of passion, patience, and prestige. For some, the joy is in lighting a rare cigar and sharing it among friends. For others, it’s about building a collection as enduring as fine art. Either way, vintage cigars are no longer just about smoke — they are about heritage, investment, and the thrill of owning something truly irreplaceable.
As more enthusiasts enter the scene, one thing is certain: whether you’re a smoker, a collector, or both, the chase for vintage cigars in the UK has never been more exciting.