THOLT 2

The Herf in Old London Town - July 11th 1998

by Peter Embling. Additional material - El_Ingles
Photographs © El_Ingles/Andy Wright

You didn't need to know exactly where we were meeting for THOLT2 (The Herf of Old London Town) because the aroma of twelve herfers' herfing had spread for blocks around. We actually met at Franco's bar in the heart of London's "cigar quarter" at the corner of Jermyn Street and St. James's Street, just a short walk from some of the finest cigar shops in the world.

Steven Wayne

Kevin Summons-Walsh

Keith Rowson

David Emmerson

Our guide for the crawl was Simon Chase, the Marketing Director of Hunters and Frankau Ltd, (the UK importers of Havana cigars), and Habanos' Man of the Year - Communications. He generously gave everyone a sample of a new brand of 'Cuban country style' cigar called Jose L Piedra Cazadores.

Sergio

Simon & Sergio

Sharon, Ian, Sergio & Simon

A few minutes past eleven Simon lead us off to our first port of call, J. J. Fox of St James's.

Their business was started in 1881, but now includes Robert Lewis of St. James's who were around in 1787! With such a history it is only appropriate that Fox have a superb museum and we were guided around it by their extremely knowledgeable manager, Tim Cox.
The museum, which is available for all their customers to visit, contains some of the oldest cigars in the world, in glass cases (!), and all sorts or memoribilia relating to cigars and their history. They have the ledgers that show Winston Churchill's cigar purchases, amongst others, and it was quite a shock to be sitting in an armchair in this room and be told that that is the same armchair that Churchill used to sit in, when he visited the shop.
Tim and Simon then gave us a wonderful presentation on the history of the cigar from it's earliest days right up to the present day.

Simon gave us a wonderful presentation

Tim then took us to the customer stock room

Tim then took us to the customer stock room which is where the rich and famous and not-so-famous have their supplies kept in London's largest 'dor! This area is definitely off-limits to the general public, but we were privileged to be shown around. There were so many things to amaze us, too many to list in fact, but one highlight must be the Cohiba anniversary humidor, complete with contents. Truly a rare sight, and in fact Fox's had turned down an offer of GBP 40,000 for it earlier that week. We saw the area reserved for the stock of a famous Lord, at least GBP 50,000 worth. We saw the stock of one lucky owner which apart from the three sealed Cohiba anniversary ceramic humidor jars (how much are they worth...) had over 26 boxes of Montecristo 'A' alone. Another area was entirely comprised of boxes of R y J Churchills, many dozens of boxes, and again all belonging to a single (lucky!!) customer. Tom Cruise keeps some stock there, as does Tom Selleck, Arnie, and many many others.

Inside J J Fox, St James's

Andy & Sharron

Martin & Kevin

We left in awe. Our next port of call was Davidoff, just a few doors away. Welcomed with open arms by Eddie, we were shown what is allegedly the largest open display of cigars in Europe. Just about everything was available, apart from the ever-popular Monte 2. Prices were typical London and quite a few of us took the opportunity to buy there.

Last shop on the crawl was Dunhill. Their cigar room is on the first floor of the main store. Their idea is to make the whole area more like a gentleman's club, with deep comfy chairs, televised sports, and stocks and share prices displayed, and fax machines available for customers use. They too have a humidor lounge where customer's stock is left in lockers, yours for a mere 10 box purchase! We had to cut that visit short because the fire alarm went off whilst we were there, nothing to do with the thick fog following us around I suppose!

Time for lunch. It was 1.30pm and it had started to rain, so it was a brisk 15 minute walk to a small bistro in an area of Mayfair known as Shepherd's Market. Sofra's bistro was small, but blessed with good food and we had a great meal there, with the downstairs area devoted to us and our smoke. Those of us who had missed out on the Herf a'dor were teased by the two members here, with them. They looked great, and boy, were we jealous!

María & Sergio

L to R, Peter, Martin, Steven and Kevin at Lunch

L to R, David, María, Sergio and Paul (El_Ingles) at Lunch

Peter in pensive mood

From bottom left, Louise, Sharon, Ian, Simon, Peter, Martin, Steven, Sergio, El_Ingles, Keith and Sean

Peter, Martin, Steven, Kevin and David, Maria, Sergio, El_Ingles, Keith and Sean

L to R, Martin, Steven and Kevin

Louise

The choice of cigars being smoked was huge. People had been saving their best for today obviously! After the meal, were we treated to a talk by Sergio Morera, of World Duty Free. He is the man responable for improving the facilities at Terminal 4 Heathrow. The talk was obviouly about the Duty free market.

We had intended to go to a couple of pubs in the area for a small quiz, but we got so carried away with the good company at Sofra's that we actually only had time to squeeze in a couple of beers at the Shepherd's Tavern, since there were definate arrangements to meet from 7.00pm at Little Havana, a bar/club in the West End with a distinct interest to us Herfers.

In Shepherd's Tavern after lunch. From left, Steven, Andy, Maria, El_Ingles and Ian

Little Havana is based on what I suppose is our idea of a Cuban bar, with plenty of slatted blinds, palms and plain tiled floors - you get the idea. But the biggest advantage is not only that they support herfing, but actually stock a reasonable selection of properly maintained sticks at single prices cheaper than anything we had seen that day. Well, we stayed late, drank lots, until the time came to say goodnight to friends old and new and slowly make our way home. Until the next time......

In Little Havana. Nearest is Steven, Kevin is hidden just behind, Peter taking a photo, Keith and Andy.

Exotic Dancer dancing on bar at Little Havana.

Peter attempting to help her out of her outfit!

Martin & dancer.
But does Peter
know something
that we don't?

Ian with no dancer

Sharon

Andy wishes....

Peter, Keith & Andy

Martin, Steven & Kevin

Steven & Kevin

Maria & Martin

L-R, El_Ingles, Nick & Rena (Note the ASC Teeshirt!)

El_Ingles (Paul) & Maria (Wife)

At Little Havana

Maria & Kevin

Ian, Sharron & Martin

"Well what is it?" as Ian hands Peter a prize.

Another prize winner

Why is Peter doing this?

Salt

Down in one....

....or is some left?

YUK!

Another Victim

Arh... The Reason! But what's that round her Navel?

Keith, Censored, & El_Ingles looking on

No Comment!

Rena

Andy

Maria - just kidding?

Ian, Sharron & Martin

Peter & Andy

Those attending (in full or part) included

Simon Chase
Maria Dixon
Peter Embling
David Emmerson
Paul Dixon (El_Ingles)
Sharron Kiernan
Sergio Morea
Ian Pepper
Keith Rowson
Nick Tsermulas
Rena Tsermulas
Kevin Summons-Walsh
Steven Wayne
Andy Wright
Martin
Sean McCarroll
Louise McCarroll

Index