C.Gars Ltd
C.Gars Ltd is a UK-based specialist merchant of premium Cuban and New World cigars, whisky, and luxury tobacco accessories, founded 1997 and operating 30 retail shops across Europe plus a global e-commerce storefront as part of the Dominique London Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What C.Gars Ltd does
C.Gars Ltd is a privately held UK-based specialist merchant of premium cigars, spirits, and luxury tobacco accessories, founded in 1997 as the UK's first online Cuban cigar merchant. The company operates a hybrid distribution model combining an e-commerce storefront at cgarsltd.co.uk with 30 physical retail locations across Europe, including a La Casa del Habano boutique in Chester, walk-in humidors in London Mayfair, Liverpool, Norfolk, and Nagsport, and a dedicated London headquarters at 16 Kingsgate Place. C.Gars is a subsidiary of the Dominique London Group, a family-run conglomerate with 200 employees and 200+ years of combined heritage through the Turmeaus Tobacconist business established in 1817.
The product offering is organised around three core pillars: Cuban cigars (including EMS-certified Havana classics and rare/vintage editions accessed via the Hunters & Frankau partnership), New World cigars from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Peru, and adjacent luxury categories encompassing whisky, cognac, gin, rum, port, wine, pipes, pipe tobacco, humidors, and cigar accessories. Customer engagement layers include the C.Gars Plus tiered loyalty program launched November 12, 2024 (Bronze, Silver, Gold), recurring cigar subscription boxes, client locker storage services, personalised cigar bands, humidor engraving, and an in-person sampling events programme at UK lounges.
The business operates on a primarily one-time-purchase retail model supplemented by subscription recurring revenue, with unit-level pricing ranging from under £10 to over £1,500, free UK delivery above £50, and a price-match guarantee against UK cigar retailers. Customer acquisition and retention are driven by a multi-channel marketing mix spanning email newsletters, a Cigar Library content portal, dedicated brand portals (Davidoff, Oliva, Rocky Patel, etc.), the C.Gars Magazine, social media presence across Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and a peer-review footprint of more than 29,000 Trustpilot reviews. The customer base of over 200,000 worldwide is concentrated in enthusiast personas (cigar aficionados, gift buyers, whisky/spirits enthusiasts, pipe smokers), with no B2B or enterprise customers disclosed.
C.Gars Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C.Gars Ltd
- Legal name
- C.Gars Ltd
- Website
- https://cgarsltd.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- C.Gars Ltd is a UK-based specialist merchant of premium Cuban and New World cigars, whisky, and luxury tobacco accessories, founded 1997 and operating 30 retail shops across Europe plus a global e-commerce storefront as part of the Dominique London Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C.Gars Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Cigars and Tobacco Retail
- NAICS
- Tobacco, Electronic Cigarette, and Other Smoking Supplies Retailers (459991), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tobacco & Nicotine Specialty Shops (Tobacconists) (CRANADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cigar & Premium Tobacco Retail (CRANADAB), Online Tobacco & Nicotine Retail (Delivery/Click & Collect) (CRANADAI)
Keywords
Where C.Gars Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
C.Gars Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Cigars and tobacco products: Retail sale of premium cigars (Cuban, New World, Rest of World), pipe tobacco, hand rolling tobacco, cigarettes, and snuff products. Products sold as single items, packs, bundles, boxes, and samplers.
- Spirits and whisky: Sale of whisky (single malt, blends, world whisky), cognac, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, liqueurs, port, wine, and champagne.
- Accessories and humidors: Sale of cigar accessories including lighters, cutters, cases, ashtrays; humidor storage solutions; pipe accessories; and lifestyle items.
- C.Gars Plus loyalty program: Points-based loyalty scheme launched November 12, 2024. Bronze (0-£4,999 annual spend), Silver (£5,000-£9,999), Gold (£10,000+). Points redeemable for purchases (excluding cigarettes).
- Cigar subscriptions: Recurring cigar subscription boxes offering Cuban and New World cigars delivered on a scheduled basis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with free delivery threshold |
| Subscription | Annual | Bronze membership (£0-£4,999 annual spend) |
| Subscription | Annual | Silver membership (£5,000-£9,999 annual spend) |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold membership (£10,000+ annual spend) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
C.Gars Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C.Gars Ltd is a UK-based cigar and luxury tobacco merchant that retails premium Cuban, New World, and Rest of the World cigars, alongside whisky, cognac, gin, and other spirits, pipes, pipe tobacco, hand rolling tobacco, humidors, lighters, cutters, and related accessories. It sells through an e-commerce store, mail-order phone line, and 30 physical shops across Europe, supplementing sales with a cigar subscription service, the tiered C.Gars Plus loyalty program, and in-person cigar and whisky sampling events.
Product overview
C.Gars Ltd operates as a multi-category e-commerce and retail platform specializing in premium cigars, spirits, and luxury accessories. The core offering centers on an extensive portfolio of cigars divided into Cuban (Havana) cigars and New World cigars, supplemented by curated cigar samplers and subscription services. The platform extends into adjacent luxury categories including whisky and spirits, pipe tobacco, pipes, humidors, and premium accessories. Key services include Cigar & Whisky Sampling Events, Client Lockers for personal cigar storage, Personalized Bands, and Humidor Engraving. The company also operates a loyalty program (C.Gars Plus) and maintains a Cigar Library for consumer education. C.Gars Ltd is part of the Dominique London Group, operating 30 physical locations across Europe alongside its e-commerce operations, with historic roots dating to Turmeaus Tobacconist (1817) and recognized as a Havana Cigar Specialist through partnership with Hunters & Frankau.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- C.Gars Plus: Loyalty rewards program offering points, discounts, and exclusive member benefits for customers.
- Orchant Selection
- La Casa del Habano
Products and services
- Cuban Cigars Premium Cuban (Havana) cigars including English Market Selection (EMS) certified stock, rare and vintage editions, and major brands such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas, Bolivar, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, and others; sold as singles, packs, boxes, and tins to cigar enthusiasts and gift buyers.
- New World Cigars Premium non-Cuban cigars from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Peru, featuring brands such as Oliva, Arturo Fuente, Padron, Drew Estate, Rocky Patel, A.J. Fernandez, and Plasencia; available across light to full strength profiles.
- Cigar Samplers Curated multi-cigar selection packs including beginner samplers, strength-based samplers (light, medium, full), regional samplers (Cuban, Dominican, Nicaraguan), and occasion-based cigar-and-spirit pairing samplers.
- Cigar Subscriptions Recurring subscription boxes delivering Cuban and New World cigars on a scheduled basis, allowing customers to receive curated selections automatically.
- Whisky Extensive whisky selection including Single Malt Scotch (Speyside, Highland, Islay, Lowland, Campbeltown), Blends, Irish Whiskey, American Bourbon & Rye, Japanese Whisky, and Vintage Whisky, plus whisky liqueurs.
- Spirits, Port, Wine & Champagne Full range of premium spirits including Cognac, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, Liqueurs, Calvados, Port, Red and White Wines, Champagne and Sparkling Wines, and miniature formats.
- Humidors Cigar storage humidors from brands such as Adorini, Davidoff, Dunhill, Elie Bleu, ST Dupont, and Savinelli, ranging from small 0-10 cigar capacity units to large 100+ capacity cabinets, including travel humidors.
- Cigar Accessories Cigar accessories including lighters (Colibri, ST Dupont, Dunhill, Xikar, Zippo), cutters (guillotine, punch, V-cut, scissor), cigar cases, and ashtrays.
- Pipes Smoking pipes from brands including Dunhill White Spot, Peterson, Savinelli, Neerup, Chacom, Falcon, and Meerschaum, with filter and non-filter options across various finishes and styles.
- Pipe Tobacco
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200,000 satisfied customers worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use C.Gars Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
C.Gars Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
C.Gars Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Hunters & FrankaucoreOfficial partnership with Hunters & Frankau, the official UK distributor of Habanos SA (Cuban cigar) products. This partnership enables C.Gars Ltd to be recognized as a Havana Cigar Specialist and offer English Market Selection (EMS) certified Cuban cigars including rare and vintage editions.
- Dominique London GroupcoreC.Gars Ltd is part of Dominique London Group, a family-run company with over 200 years of combined experience as premium cigar merchants. The group comprises 30 locations with 200 employees. Dominique London Group includes Dominique Gyselinck (Chief Operating Officer) and Mitchell Orchant (C.Gars Ltd Founder).
- SagePaycorePayment processing integration through SagePay, providing secure payment processing for all online transactions. Payment information is handled directly by SagePay's secure platform.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
C.Gars Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Iwan Ries & Co. Historic Chicago tobacconist founded in 1857, offering premium cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, and accessories through physical store and online channels. Comparable heritage tobacconist with multi-generational brand and physical-plus-online retail model.
- Cigars International: One of the largest US online cigar retailers offering a broad assortment of premium, boutique, and value cigars to a global DTC audience. Comparable multi-brand, e-commerce-first cigar specialist competing for the same global online cigar buyer.
- Famous Smoke Shop: Established Pennsylvania-based cigar retailer operating both a long-running catalog business and a major e-commerce site with deep cigar assortment and accessories. Comparable multi-channel specialty cigar retail model with international shipping.
- Cigar Page: Fast-growing US online cigar retailer with an aggressive pricing and assortment model focused on digital-first customers. Comparable as a pure-play e-commerce cigar specialist competing for the same global online cigar buyer.
- James J. Fox: Historic London tobacconist (operating since 1787, claimed oldest in the world) located in St James's, specializing in Cuban cigars, pipe tobacco, and luxury smoking accessories. Comparable as a heritage UK specialist with physical Mayfair/St James's retail and multi-channel cigar sales.
- Hunters & Frankau: The official UK distributor of Habanos SA products, operating both a wholesale business and its own cigar retail/website. Directly comparable as a UK-based Cuban cigar specialist that is simultaneously supplier and competitor to C.Gars.
- Thompson Cigar: Long-running US cigar catalog and online retailer offering premium, boutique, and value cigars to a broad national customer base. Comparable established multi-channel cigar retail business with international shipping reach.
- JR Cigars: Major US online cigar retailer combining JR Cigar Outlet physical stores with a large e-commerce operation. Comparable multi-channel cigar specialist with a broad assortment competing globally online.
- Casa del Habano: International franchise network of Habanos SA-authorized cigar shops specializing in authentic Cuban cigars, of which C.Gars itself operates one in Chester. Comparable cigar retail format anchored on EMS-certified Habanos inventory.
Broad incumbents
- Davidoff (Oettinger Davidoff Group): Global premium cigar manufacturer and retailer operating Davidoff flagship boutiques and lounges worldwide, including London. Comparable as a luxury cigar specialist with brand-driven retail experiences and a broader product portfolio spanning cigars, tobacco, and accessories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
C.Gars Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceC.Gars Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C.Gars Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
C.Gars Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C.Gars Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C.Gars Ltd
What does C.Gars Ltd do?
C.Gars Ltd is a UK-based cigar and luxury tobacco merchant that retails premium Cuban, New World, and Rest of the World cigars, alongside whisky, cognac, gin, and other spirits, pipes, pipe tobacco, hand rolling tobacco, humidors, lighters, cutters, and related accessories. It sells through an e-commerce store, mail-order phone line, and 30 physical shops across Europe, supplementing sales with a cigar subscription service, the tiered C.Gars Plus loyalty program, and in-person cigar and whisky sampling events.
Is C.Gars Ltd a public or private company?
C.Gars Ltd is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was C.Gars Ltd founded?
C.Gars Ltd was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is C.Gars Ltd based?
C.Gars Ltd is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does C.Gars Ltd make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Cigars and tobacco products are the primary driver. The others are spirits and whisky, accessories and humidors, C.Gars Plus loyalty program and cigar subscriptions.
Who are C.Gars Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Iwan Ries & Co., Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, Cigar Page, James J. Fox, Hunters & Frankau, Thompson Cigar, JR Cigars and Casa del Habano. Davidoff (Oettinger Davidoff Group) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does C.Gars Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for C.Gars Ltd.
What industry is C.Gars Ltd in?
C.Gars Ltd's product category is Premium Cigars and Tobacco Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANADAE, Tobacco & Nicotine Specialty Shops (Tobacconists), with a secondary code of CRANADAB, Cigar & Premium Tobacco Retail. Its NAICS code is 459991.