Vina Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year Awards 2021
Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021
December 6 2021
On the evening of Monday 6th December 2021 Boisdale of Canary Wharf hosted the greatest cigar event outside of Havana.
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.
Tom Parker Bowles returned as the host of the award ceremony alongside Boisdale founder Ranald Macdonald, the two shared quick-witted exchanges between inviting the 2021 winners to the stage. This particular year celebrated the 200th anniversary of the independence of two great cigar producing nations, Honduras and Nicaragua. Boisdale welcomed the evenings guests of honour Her Excellency Guisell Morales-Echaverry, the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Her Excellency Ivan Romero-Martinez, the Honduran Ambassador of the United Kingdom. Also in attendance were the Ambassadors of the other two great tobacco producing nations of the world, Her Excellency Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez the Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom and His Excellency Elnio Manuel Duran, the Dominican Ambassador to United Kingdom.
An eclectic collection of cigar lovers joined in the celebrations, including English actor Rafe Spall, veteran film star James Cosmo MBE, Ella Vaday of the BBC Ru Paul’s Drag Race, film producers Stephen Evans and Jonathan Sothcott, singing sensation Rebecca Fergusson, it-girl Georgia Toffolo and Czechoslovakian super model Hana Jirickova. As well as, musicians, politicians and business leaders, all of whom share a common interest in their fondness for cigars.
The lavish and luxury celebration at Boisdale of Canary Wharf began with a cocktail reception on the Cigar Terrace, guests were served three delicious cocktails using Old Pilot’s Gin, including the The Bay of Figs Negroni, which paired beautifully with the apéritif cigar, Rafael Gonzales Perla from Cuba.
All guests received the following cigars on arrival:
Camacho Nicaragua Toro
Plasencia Reserve Original Robusto
Mitchellero Robusto, Nicaragua
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado
Rafael Gonzales Perla, Cuba
Menu and wines:
Isla of Gigha Smoked Halibut & Atlantic King Prawns
Shaved fennel, orange & dill salad
Carmen D.O Quijada Semillon 2019, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Robert Parker 91 Points)
Braised Short Rib of Scottish Beef with Wild Mushroom Chasseur Sauce
Italian black truffles, potato purée, spinach
Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel Estate Bordeaux Blend 2019, Maipo Valley, Chile (Robert Parker 91 Points)
Selection of Artisan British Cheeses
Chutney, Comice pears and oatcakes
Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Maipo Valley, Chile (James Suckling 94 Points)
After the main course, the original cast members of the West Ends best ever selling show, The Definitive Rat Pack took to the Yamaha Music London Stage to portray the greatest crooners of all time. Ella Vaday joined Frank Sinatra for a hilarious duet on the classic song My Way. See film clip
Followed shortly by the much-anticipated awards ceremony in which Rafe Spall was awarded The Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021. It is safe to stay spirits were high and the party continued with a final night cap of stunning Flor de Cana 130th Anniversary Dark Rum, enjoyed on the terrace with the evening’s stunning cigars.
Awards as follows:
The Cigar Communicator of the Year
Sean Croley of Hunters and Frankau
The Cigar Sommelier of the Year
Slawomir Bielicki of Annabels
The Cigar Spirit of the Year
Flor de Cana 130th Anniversary Rum
The Robusto of the Year 2021
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No2, Cuba
The Cigar of the Year 2021
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado, Nicaragua
The Cigar Producer of the Year 2021
Davidoff
The Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Scott Vines of Tor Imports
The Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021
Rafe Spall