Ashes & Ink | Introduction

From the pages of a private cigar journal
17 November 2020 · London, UK

2020 marked the beginning of a ritual — the year I lit my first cigar and entered a world defined by tradition, patience, and the pursuit of quality.

What began as quiet curiosity during the stillness of the pandemic became something far more meaningful: a study of craftsmanship, a lesson in flavour, and a bridge to a community bound by shared appreciation. Cigars have given me friendships, perspective, and a deeper understanding of how time, care, and intention shape what we enjoy.

That same year, I began my first cigar journal — a personal record of what I was learning and tasting, and the early notes that would later inspire Forum Cigar Club.

Now, I’m opening that private journal to you — sharing the pages from those early days, one cigar at a time. The notes are honest and unpolished, written with the curiosity of someone discovering a craft that would become part of his life.

My objectives were simple:

• Refine my sense of taste — beyond cigars alone.

• Learn to recognise the nuances that define a great blend.

• Record my impressions and discoveries.

• Understand the science behind the art.

• And most importantly, enjoy the process.

A cigar journal is a quiet companion — a place where flavour, memory, and reflection meet.

Through Ashes & Ink, I’ll be opening those pages to you — the cigars I’ve smoked, the notes I’ve written, and the moments they’ve marked along the way.