Churchill Cigar Dinner in London Marks 81st D-Day Anniversary

IT wouldn’t be too much of a stretch of the imagination to call it one of the cigar dinners of the year.

On a blustery evening in London, a royal line up of cigars from the legendary Cuban house of Romeo y Julieta, some superb drinks, a beautiful venue and a lot of fun and laughter created a night to remember for the Sautter Churchill dinner to mark 81 years since D-Day.

Over 40 guests in black tie and gowns arrived to mark the occasion at Alfred’s, the Dunhill Private Members Club in the very heart of Mayfair.

As soon as they had stepped inside, they were handed goodie bags, each including a commemorative Churchill table lighter, cutter, matches, an old Crown coin with the great man’s visage on it; and, of course, a selection of cigars to smoke throughout the evening.

Burners glowing merrily, the courtyard at Alfred’s was soon swirling with aromatic cigar smoke. Oysters and amuse-bouche were served, accompanied by refreshing glasses of Churchill’s favourite Champagne – Pol Roger. Some puffed on a Wide Churchill from their pack – some chose a Short Churchill. Cigar Journal’s Nick Hammond was on hand.

Dinner was served.

This was a menu that the great man could have chosen himself; all his favourites, one after the other. Prawn and Avocado Cocktail to start (outrageous sweet and succulent prawns); followed by roasted Aberdeen Angus Sirloin, Yorkshire pud and all the trimmings. Wines flowed; more favourites like a wonderfully silky Claret, the Château Bellevue Saint Emilion 2003 or the Vina Pomal Rioja Reserva from 2018. Summer fruit pudding formed the dessert, Ararat Akhtamar Armenian Brandy Aged 10 Years the astounding finale. Words were spoken by Sautter Boss, Laurence Davis, Nick Hammond narrated Churchill’s extraordinary life and Jimmy McGhee of UK Cuban cigar suppliers, Hunters and Frankau, talked of Churchill’s love of cigars – particularly those from Cuba.

And then there followed a Romeo Y Julieta Churchill Reserva from 2012 – an incredible cigar to enjoy back out in the courtyard, with more drinks, laughter and smoke.

This was a quintessential English cigar event to commemorate one of the world’s great statesman and the freedoms he defended so vigorously when freedom itself was hanging in the balance. Food for thought in today’s fight against those who would stop us even being able to hold such events.