Shortly after his father's death, DW installed a cedar panelled room with a humidor at 26/27 South Audley Street and began to deal in cigars. This was done through a company set up with his friend Mervyn Baron, who was a great connoisseur in such matters.
One of their mainstays was supplying the Hoyo de Monterrey cigars which were considered the best in the world, and which were later to be smoked by DW's great fictional hero the Duke de Richleau.
Eventually that side of the business did so well that DW required two members of staff to run it, but in 1930 No. 26/7 was burgled and the thieves made off with nearly all the cigars. Since it would have taken several months to ship in and mature fresh stock, they wound down this side of the business.
