The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

By Mohamed Miah | The Narratives

Walk into Davidoff of London and the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the cigars — it’s the calm. The kind of calm that only comes from confidence, class, and two men who’ve mastered their craft without ever needing to show off. Edward Sahakian and his son Eddie don’t just sell cigars — they live them. They breathe them (pun intended). But more importantly, they share them, with the humility and charm that makes every customer feel like a welcome guest, not a transaction.

Edward, is tobacco royalty — but he’d never say that himself. His reputation speaks before he does. The stories float around like gentle smoke — how he once took a rare, limited edition cigar from a Davidoff manager, cut it clean in half, pocketed one side, and lit the other with a casual grace. The manager sat there stunned. But if Edward does it, you don’t question it. You watch. You take notes.

He’ll sometimes use a Bic lighter. Other times a long wooden match. Occasionally, he’ll let the cigar die out and light it again later — not out of neglect, but curiosity. He wants to see how the flavours mature, how the character changes. A 45-minute cigar? He might stretch it to two hours. Not because he’s slow, but because he’s savouring. It’s never rushed. Never forced. Always personal.

And that’s the key to Edward Sahakian. He’s not here to impress you. He’s here to connect with you. Whether you’re a City banker in pinstripes or a bricklayer on your first payday splurge, he’ll look you in the eye, talk to you with sincerity, and guide you to a cigar like he’s pairing you with a lifelong friend. No arrogance, or ego. No hard sell. Just warmth, wisdom, and that rare instinct that only true craftsmen have — the ability to understand people.

Eddie, his son, is just as brilliant — not in a carbon-copy way, but in a complementary one. He’s grown up with the culture, steeped in the same values, but he brings a new-age sharpness. He moves with elegance but speaks with simplicity. No waffle. No fluff. Just good conversation, honest advice, and the same golden rule, enjoy the cigar. Rituals are fine, but comfort is king.

He’s said it himself: “A cigar is to be enjoyed.” Not worshipped. Not over-analysed. Just enjoyed — in your own time, your own way.

And that’s the beauty of the Sahakians. They’ve kept the class, the history, the reverence — but removed the snobbery. They’ve built a space where cigars aren’t locked behind elitism, but handed to you like a warm handshake. Where every detail, from the lounge chairs to the scent of cedar, speaks of timelessness — but the welcome always feels fresh.

It’s rare, in this world of algorithms and online orders, to find a place that still understands human connection. Rarer still to find people who treat both strangers and regulars with equal charm. Edward and Eddie have made Davidoff of London more than a shop — they’ve made it a sanctuary. For thinkers. For friends. For those who just want to take a moment, exhale, and feel like they belong.

Because success, real success, isn’t loud. It doesn’t shove its way into the room. It invites. It listens. It remembers your name.

And that’s what these two gentlemen have always understood:

A good cigar will stay with you.

A great experience will bring you back.