Archive: May 2025

Hi everyone! It’s been another fantastic week here in Norfolk! We even had a special visit from Mitchell and our new Dominique London UK Manager Andy Swain!

On Bank Holiday Monday, I was working with Will, Josh and Lisa. We had an incredible amount of online pickings to pick! With the warmer weather around the corner we had a lot of customers ordering and it was great to see! It was also the first weekend that the Drew Estate Blackened cigars were available and we had lots of people ordering them by the boxes! Keep an eye on our new in page to see what other new releases we have had! We all worked hard to get through the pickings and then we got to work organising our humidors ready for our big visit on Wednesday. I have also ventured into cigarillos and in particular the Al Capones Flame – I was intrigued into how they fit 10 cigarillos into such a small pack but I was pleasantly surprised to see how unexpectedly big they were! And they were incredibly tasty too, a nice 5/10 minute smoke when you don’t have long.

Tuesday felt like a crazy day! Firstly, I was working with our suppliers to get the best cigars for the July subscriptions. In between emails, I was helping organise humidors, update price tags and fully stock the rest of the shop as the bank holiday weekend took a lot of stock from the shelves. I was getting pulled from all directions to help out all departments, but the place looked lovely as always. Meanwhile, I had a great gentleman who was on holiday and so only wanted a couple of small smokes for relatively cheap, I suggested the Inka Red Tres Petit Corona and the Charatan Petit Corona as they are both great reliable smokes. The gentleman then wanted a longer smoke, so of course I suggested the Macanudo M Dark Toro, again the customer fell in love with the smell and purchased it straight away. Later on in the day, I had a couple of gentleman looking for some cigars for an event. I suggested the Regius Serie Limitada Robusto, as they liked the idea of a sweeter cigar and the gold bands always look great in pictures. At the end of the day I was shattered! But felt great.

I unfortunately missed Mitchell and Andy’s visit on Wednesday but I have been told it was a great visit and many more exciting times are on the way! I was back in on Thursday and it was time for the New World stock count with Lisa! It was the first time doing stock count with our new humidor in place but we found it much easier! It took us nearly all day but we got there in the end!

Friday was my promotional day. I have felt like this month has flown by and I have had barely any chance to do any! So firstly I completed all of the shop newsletters, ready to be sent out on the 1st of June! Next I completed two articles for the C.Gars cigar library – One on the new Blackened cigars – which you can read here, and the other being Mantis accessories – which you can read here. I also spent a lot of time taking the pictures. I also spent some time taking pictures for my future article which will be about the latest cigar to come from Montecristo – the Open Slam! This has been a cigar many connoisseurs have been excited about and upon first look, they look amazing! In the afternoon, I took some pictures for a couple of Josh’s articles, which you will see on the C.Gars cigar library very soon. His ones are all cigar reviews and they give you a great insight to each brand.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks goings on and I hope to see you all in store very soon.

So long for now

Oliver

Hi everyone! It has been an incredible week here in Norfolk! A lot has gone on in a short week.

On Monday, I was joined in the shop with Sharon. We worked through the mountains of online orders, which seemed never ending! I had one of my regulars come in to purchase a few cigars to get through the week. Of course I showed him my one of my new favourite cigar – the Macanudo M By Macanudo Dark Toro. I cannot stress enough how much chocolate this cigar exhumes! The rest of the day was taken up by online pickings, it certainly looked like everyone was getting their smokes in early ready for the bank holiday weekend!

Tuesday was my marketing day. I focused massively on the shop newsletters as I was a bit behind with them and had to get them done and proof read by our content manager. By the end of the day I had all but one of them completed. In between newsletters I wrote an article for the C.Gars cigar library – It was about the ST Dupont Le Mans Accessories, which I think is the most beautiful of the range. You can read that article here. I also spent some time taking pictures of them and hopefully I have done them justice. I also focussed on creating another article ready for next week… You’ll have to read next week’s blog to find out what it is about. Towards the end of the day I was asked to post an article about our management team’s appearance at the AITS Ignite trade show. I was handed the article and loads of pictures to choose from – You can read that by clicking here. It sounded so fascinating! And I learned a lot too. I was particularly happy to hear that the Drew Estate Blackened cigars had made their way into the UK market! They are very popular in the USA and are made in collaboration with James Hetfield – The lead singer of Metallica! I grew up listening to Metallica, so to have a cigar which has been approved from the James Hetfield is incredible! We are also going to be blessed with a couple of new Cubans – The Montecristo Open Slam and the Partagas Mille Fleurs. It is certainly an exciting time in the UK cigar industry!

On Thursday, I was working in the shop. I spent a lot of time stocking up the humidors and organising the pipe room. I had also noticed that the Drew Estate Blackened had been delivered during my day off as well as many new cigars which you will see on our website very soon! I have also been working closely with Lisa on organising our brand new humidor! This one is not available for the public to see, however we can always give you a sneak peak! We have been keeping our eye on the humidity closely making sure it is perfect, ready for us both to fill it.

Friday was incredibly busy! Lisa and I worked together to fill up our new humidor. We decided to put full boxes in there which then frees up the shelves in our walk-in humidor for our open boxes. This makes it easier to pick orders and for us to be able to show you cigars which aren’t necessarily on the shelves. We were both running between both humidors to try to get it done as quickly as possible! In between we were both needed to help out the rest of the team with deliveries. Due to the stock available at the AITS Ignite trade show, we had ordered LOADS of stock! And it was all coming in on Friday! So I was doing numerous trips up and down the stairs, putting stock in their place. Then later on in the afternoon, one of the biggest deliveries I had seen came in! There were loads of cigars, pipe tobacco and more! Keep an eye on the website and you will see what we have come in!

On Saturday, It was Josh, Will and myself. Josh completed the Cuban stock count by himself! We unfortunately didn’t have time on Friday to get it completed, so Josh focused his time on Saturday to complete it. Will finished doing the deliveries and I noticed we had received a box of Cohiba Lanceros! They are a legendary cigar which I had never seen before! It was one of Fidel Castro’s favourite cigars and was often used as diplomatic gifts.

Will also got to serve his first customer! It is a big milestone and hopefully it has given him the confidence to serve even more in the shop. He was with them for a while which is always a good sign. As soon as that customer left, Will served the next customer! I think now he has a taste for it and he loves it!

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks goings on and I hope to see you all in Norfolk very soon.

So long for now.

Oliver.

Hi everyone, It’s been another glorious week here in sunny Norfolk! We have had a few familiar faces as well as holiday makers discovering our store for the first time.

On Monday Josh and I were overwhelmed with the amount of online orders to pick! We spent all day, picking orders and serving customers! At around 3 o’clock we were so worn out that we had to have a little pause! But we got there in the end! In between online order pickings, I served two brilliant gentlemen who were on holiday! They had seen the shop and made sure they came in, they were overwhelmed with the amount of products we had to offer. I took them through to our humidors, and again they were in awe. We had a lovely chat about cigars they have tried but overall they were beginners. One wanted to try a Cuban with a bit of strength behind it, he liked the look of the Punch Punch, so as I always suggest, if you like the look of a cigar – Go for it! Afterwards we looked at the New World Cigars, I suggested the Tabak Especial Toraja, the gentlemen loved the aroma, so purchased one, I then spoke about the Tabernacle Knight Commander, I mentioned that it was very limited in the UK (Only 14 boxes available) and he instantly wanted one as he likes limited edition products. In the end both gentlemen left with 5 cigars each and promised to come back at the end of their holiday. I enjoyed serving them and they certainly liked coming into the shop.

On Tuesday, I was back to picking orders with Josh and Will. This time it was much less relentless, however we received the biggest delivery I had ever seen! We had 1154 tins of tobacco come in! Most of which was tobacco we hadn’t had for around a year! But after putting it away, I am pleased to say we have the full Ashton and Solani range in stock again! So have a look in store and online as we may have your favourite back! 

On Wednesday, I was back to picking online orders with Josh and Will again. We seem to be forming a proper dream team. After my online order pickings, I thought I’d spend a bit of time in the empty cigar box room, we like to sell on our empty boxes as a lot of them have some beautiful artwork and so you can purchase them without the need of purchasing them with cigars inside! I spent a lot of time putting boxes we had online ready for our lovely customers to purchase. Afterwards, Will gave me some brilliant news! We received another big delivery of pipe tobacco! All Charatan pipe tobacco is now back in stock and with a new label, making them look a lot smarter!

On Thursday, I was picking orders, due to us being understaffed we had decided to delay our New World stock count, however it was later decided that we needed to do it due to the Ignite trade show starting on Friday! So from around lunch time, Billy and I charged through all of our New World stock as quickly as we could and just about got it done by the end of the day. During our charge through, Billy came across the Macanudo M By Macanudo Dark Toro. He opened the box to count and he had a massive aroma of chocolate! I didn’t believe him, so he passed me one to smell and I couldn’t believe it! It smelled just like a stick of chocolate! That will certainly be my next purchase. I immediately messaged Josh (who was at home) and told him all about it. He decided then he would purchase one the next day.

So here we are on Friday, it has been a very busy week but we got there in the end! Josh smelled the Macanudo and couldn’t believe it, he said he might even purchase two! Anyway, I was working in the shop. I had a regular customer come early, he even apologised for being early. He wanted a few cigars for his birthday weekend, he knew he wanted a couple of Joya de Nicaragua Clasico Torpedo and then I showed him the Macanudo, he loved the smell so decided to try one. He then chose a Cuban, he loves the Hoyo de Monterrey range, the only Epicure he hadn’t tried was the Epicure No. 3, so I suggested he tried it as it seemed like a natural progression. He then got himself a beautiful Adorini cigar case and bottle of C.Gars Malt and left very happy. As would I! I decided to show everyone that came in afterwards the Macanudo Dark Toro and they all loved the smell and purchased one! Including Josh.

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks goings on and I hope to see you all in Norfolk very soon

So long for now

Oliver

Hi everyone! The weather is certainly brightening up here in Norfolk! And we have had a lot more customers coming in because of it!

Monday was a bank holiday and we had loads of online orders! Sharon and I was picking the orders whilst Sarah and Porscha packed them and booked them on Royal Mail. It reminded me of the old days where it was always me and Sharon in the shop, picking all of the orders and serving the customers. Meanwhile I served a great gentleman who I had never seen before. He said it had been a while since he last came in but he was going to a Jazz event and wanted a few cigars to enjoy whilst he was there. I suggested an Avo Heritage Robusto, AVO was created by Avo Uvezian, he was a Jazz musician so I felt it went hand in hand with the customers event. Previously the customer was recommended a Romeo y Julieta, so I suggested the No. 2 as the tube would protect the cigar and he could keep using it for other cigars at other events. He left very happy and I certainly enjoyed serving him. 

On Tuesday, I was picking online orders, there were loads to pick and it felt like I didn’t stop! In between order picking, I created the leaflets for my cigar subscriptions. Whilst I was making the leaflets, Porscha walked past and said “I didn’t realise you had to do so much to create a leaflet”. It really shows how much effort I have to put in to create the cigar subscriptions. Not only do I have to talk to suppliers and make sure we get the best cigars possible, I also have to make sure I have the leaflets ready. However, I am lucky to have a great team around me to put the subscriptions in their boxes and ready to go. I also served a lovely lady who wanted to get a couple of cigars as presents. She was amazed at how beautiful our shop is! She said she will make sure she brings the rest of the family next time.

On Thursday, I was picking online orders with Josh. Together we picked all of the orders very quickly! Afterwards, Josh organised the deliveries and I worked through stocking up the humidors and ordering more stock. We have certainly been getting through our stock and so ordering daily is becoming essential! I also emailed all of our stores to organise the June shop newsletter. I have decided to take a different approach with the newsletter, I usually ask for three items they wish to promote and work with what they have. This time I asked for three items they have had for a little while and need extra help promoting, I will also be coming up with specific promotions for them to use in each individual store. This means every store will be unique in what deals they promote! I thought it was a really good idea!

On Friday, I was in the shop and I had a brilliant day! I started by creating a brand new display for our pipe room! As the weather is getting nicer and summer is coming, I thought I would give it a bit of a beach theme! I used the Vauen Hawaii range of pipes, as it has lovely bright coloured wood and I found an old poster which also had a beach theme. I also put out some rather unique looking pipe ashtrays, as they were both black I felt a white pipe would compliment, so, after a bit of research I noticed that Vauen also did a range of white pipes called the Edison. What do you think of my display?

I also served a regular of mine who is 90 years old! He always comes in for his regular pipe tobacco (Bosun Cut Plug), but this time we had none left! So he tried something new – Fribourg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug.  In the afternoon, I completed the Cuban stock count on my own as our shop was overflowing with customers getting the warm weather weekend cigars!

On Saturday, it was the new dream team of Josh, Will and myself! Firstly we got through all of the online order pickings and then we started to give the shop a good clean! Due to the placement of our windows, the sun shines through brightly! However, the downside is the dust it brings with it! So we all got the dusters out and cleaned everything! I’m not a fan of cleaning at all but together we did a good job! The 90 year old gentleman came back in for a new lighter, I suggested the Honest Penryn Pipe Lighter with Pipe Tool in Gold. He also said the Fribourg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug was better than his regular tobacco! It shows no matter your age, you should still try new things once in a while!

I hope you enjoyed this weeks goings on and I hope to see you all in Norfolk very soon

So long for now

Oliver

Hi everyone! Another great week has gone by here in Norfolk! I have even been joined by a new member of staff!

On Monday, I was with Josh. We had so many online orders to pick it was unbelievable! We were busy for most of the day picking them. Afterwards I helped out the packing department pack the orders, ready to be sent. Meanwhile I also served a great customer who had travelled from London to visit. He had always wanted to visit our store and even wanted a picture with the Turmeaus sign! He treated himself to a Zino Nicaragua Half Corona, Drew Estate Deadwood Crazy Alice and my favourite the Alec Bradley Orchant Seleccion Skinny. He certainly left happy.

Tuesday was my marketing day. I started out the day by finishing off all of the shop newsletters. I added our latest in store offer on all of them. If you purchase a bottle of Eagle Rare then you will be entered into a draw to purchase a bottle of the extremely rare George T. Stagg for £169! This bottle usually goes for a lot of money and has a high resale value too, so certainly worth entering. Afterwards I spent some more time organising June’s New World subscription. I am trying to get the finest cigar possible to send and this subscription could possibly be one of the best yet! Unfortunately though I can’t tell you what is inside. I then spent some time trying a new format on the C.Gars cigar library. This has taken a lot of my time so no new articles have gone on for a few weeks but luckily I have found the right format and soon more will be added! 

On Wednesday, I was joined in the shop by Will! He has been working for Turmeaus for a couple of weeks but he has been behind the scenes. Now he has had the opportunity to learn about the products and learn how to sell them in the shop. I can tell already he will be a great addition to the team! I talked him through the different regions cigars come from and overall tasting notes but now it is time for him to study whenever he can! He’s still trying to decide which cigar to try after his first pay day! We served a lovely gentleman who was quite new to cigars, he asked for my recommendation for a Cuban. So I recommended the Quai d’Orsay no. 50, he like the sound of nuts and pepper.

On Thursday, I was doing New World stock count with Lisa. She was very nervous about doing it, however I am naturally a stress free person, who doesn’t worry about these kind of things so I helped reassure her that she was doing a good job, which she did! We were done with enough spare time for me to complete the leaflets for both New World and Cuban subscriptions. 

On Friday, I was joined by Will again. This time we went through cigar orders and how to pick them. It is difficult showing someone new around our humidor to pick orders and I can imagine it’s difficult to remember where everything is but Will is doing a great job! I remember when I first started picking orders, it took me ages to find where everything was!

In the afternoon I was doing the Cuban stock count with Josh, as always we get through it incredibly quick

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s goings on and I hope to see you all in Norfolk very soon.

So long for now

Oliver