Company CEOs and celebrities descend on Canary Wharf for the greatest cigar event outside of Havana, supported by Viña Carmen.

Boisdale of Canary Wharf hosted their annual celebration of the cigar, bringing cigar aficionados and celebrity cigar smokers from around the world to share in their passion for the exquisite tobacco product. Hosted by Tom Parker Bowles and Ranald Macdonald, the banquet and vintage cigar auction culminated with Oris Erhuero winning the award for Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker Of The Year 2022.

This glittering evening has been hosted by Boisdale since 2013 and celebrates the wonderful world of hand-made cigars. Gathered for the intimate celebration in Canary Wharf, the capital of the East End, were a glorious host of cigar aficionados, cigar producers and friends of the cigar. Boisdale welcomed the evening’s guests of honour Her Excellency Guisell Morales-Echaverry, the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Her Excellency Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez the Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Also in attendance were the great and the good from the world of film, music, business and politics. Guests included Nancy Dell’Ollio, musician Hamish Stuart from The Average White Band, athletes Mike Edwards and Perri Shakes-Drayton, actors Oris Erhuero, Tom Canton, chef Claude Bosi, Head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders and host of the evening Tom Parker-Bowles.

On receiving the award Oris Erhuero graciously accepted his win and spoke of the togetherness and friendships that cigar smoking had brought to his life. It was a sentiment echoed by Lifetime Achievement Award winner, General Sir Patrick Sanders who stressed the importance for troops serving overseas of sharing cigar moments together. Oris received a bottle of Hine Rare Cognac, a S.T.Dupont Diamond Head Yellow Gold Ligne Lighter and a Fine Lames custom gold cutter.

Throughout the evening, Boisdale played host to a charity auction, raising £84,400 for good causes including incredible lots of fine and rare cigars and humidors, with the top lot – a Cohiba Serie A Humidor going for £54,500.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner of marinated Orkney Salmon and Aberdeenshire Beef which Boisdale is famed for, served with fantastic Viña Carmern wines. The dinner was finished with a tasting of Hine Rare Cognac and all guests received four luxurious cigars to enjoy throughout the evening as well.

THE WINNERS

Cigar Smoker of the Year, presented by Viña Carmern
Oris Erhuero

Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Viña Carmern

General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC

Cigar Accessory of the Year, presented by The Nicaraguan Ambassador Her Excellency Guisell Morales-Echaverry
Les Fines Lames

Cigar Communicator of the Year, presented by The Cuban Ambassador Her Excellency Barbara Montalvo Alvarez
Ricardo Carioni

Cigar Spirit of the Year, presented by Hunters & Frankau

Facundo Eximo 10 Year Old Rum

Cigar Sommelier of the Year, presented by Hine Cognac

Vanessa Vieria at The Sahakian Lounge, The Bulgari Hotel

Cigar Producer of the Year, presented by C.Gars

AJ Fernandez

Cigar Newcomer of the Year, presented by Tor Imports

Zino Nicaragua

Churchill Cigar of the Year, presented by Innis & Gunn

Romeo y Julieta Churchill

Cigar of the Year, presented by Holland & Holland

Aladino Corojo Robusto

Davidoff Cigar Chef of the Year, presented by Davidoff

Claude Bosi

Cigar Sportsperson of the Year, presented by Jade Vault

Mike Edwards

Cigar Musician of the Year, presented by The Wren Press

Hamish Stuart

THE CIGARS

All guests received the following cigars:

Aladino Robusto 5 x 5 Ring Guage, Honduras

AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Robusto

Romeo Y Julieta Petit Royales 3 5/8 x 47 Ring Gauge

Zino Nicaragua Robusto 5 x 50 Ring Gauge, Ecuador/Nicaragua/Honduras

THE MENU AND WINES

FIRST COURSE
Marinated Orkney Salmon, Beetroot & London Honey
Crispy Crab croquettes, Grain mustard & dill dressing

Viña Carmen Gran Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018
IWSC Silver 90 points
Descorchados 92 points

MAIN COURSE
Braised Featherblade of Scottish beef,
Smoked bacon, Goulash Sauce
Gratinated potatoes with English Alpine cheese,
Steamed Brussel tops

Viña Carmern Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
James Suckling 91 points
Descorchados 93 points
Global Cabernet Masters Silver

Viña Carmern Winemakers Black Edition 2013
Concurso Mundial de Bruselas Medalla de Oro
International Wine Challenge Silver Medal

THIRD COURSE
Selection of Great British cheeses
Chutney, fresh pears, oat cakes
Hine Rare Cognac