Sautter the quintessential British brand. A 50 year old business selling cigars and cigar accessories has now launched its online store.

In February 1979 Desmond Sautter took over the Mount Street address and made it home to Sautter, still going strong and approaching its 30th anniversary. The shop was thought originally to be a haberdashery of sorts and the grand double width doorway was built to accommodate the ladies crinoline dresses worn in the 19th century. When Desmond took over the premises, it was occupied by French jewellers "Tessiers", there was a coal merchant next door and a coal tip still exists in the basement.

Desmond owned a chain of specialist pipe shops in London under the Sautter name and the acquisition was for further expansion.

He became aware that he was catering to an older sophisticated clientele together with cigar savvy Americans. After meeting with cigar importers "Hunters & Frankau" they organised a trip for Desmond to Switzerland to see the cigar shops. He was impressed with what he saw. The shops were a complete contrast to the stuffy old shops in London. Smart and luxurious.More importantly they used a method called humidification to keep the cigars fresh. This was unheard of in the UK, where cigars were sold dry and stale for years!

On his return Desmond Sautter was convinced that Havanas were the way forward and he converted his pipe business overnight. He designed a walk in humidor in Mount Street which became very fashionable and by the end of the 80's he had helped create a cigar revival in London. At the time a magazine called Cigar Aficionado helped with advertising opportunities and promotion but the biggest boost to the business during the ensuing years were the American customers.

Following the Cuban embargo in 1959 American high flyers and political heavyweights had to look elsewhere for their Havanas and when they visited Mount Street they were like kids in a candy store! Despite the fact that the UK price was fivefold what they were used to paying. They wanted the best, moist cigars and to rich and powerful Americans if it cost more, it was a better product. The embargo with Cuba has lasted 50 years and has been a blessing to Sautter's business.

The shop is probably best known for the connection with Winston Churchill who, during the so called 'wilderness years' of unpopularity (1900-1905), lived above the shop.

It's now 2009 and Desmond's legacy lives on, our love of "everything cigar " and our determination to move with the times whilst never forgetting our strong foundations will undoubtedly lead the way to a very exciting future.