Santa Rita Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner and Awards 2023

On Monday 4^th December, cigar passionados from all around the world gathered to celebrate the most prestigious Cigar Awards event outside of Havana. Celebrating iconic cigars, producers, writers, cigar sommeliers, and legendary cigar enthusiasts. Guests witnessed the great and good of the cigar world eating the finest dry aged Aberdeenshire beef together with Hollywood royalty, iconic musicians, writers, chefs, sportsmen, business leaders, broadcasters, politicians and the London commentariat including Ray Winstone, Dougray Scott, David Haye, Derek Chisora, Lawrence Dallaglio, Pete Waterman, Omar, Ferne McCann, Aimie Atkinson, Andrew Turner, Nick Ferrari, Randolph Churchill, and Lord Carnarvon enjoyed the evening at Boisdale of Canary Wharf which was as hosted by Tom Parker Bowles and Ranald Macdonald founder of Boisdale.

Quotes of the evening:
Tom Parker Bowles: “The eleventh cigar awards I have hosted and one of my favourite nights of the year.”
Ranald Macdonald: “Boisdale founded this event in 2013 inspired by the Cigar Festival in Havana. The Cigar Smoker of The Year Dinner is the highlight of the Boisdale calendar.”
Dougray Scott on receiving the award for Cigar Smoker of The Year:
“Thank you so much Boisdale for this award. You can keep your Emmy’s and your Bafta’s… I love cigars. Me and cigars go back a long way. They’re synonymous with everything that’s wonderful in life, relaxing and contemplative. Quite often when I’m at home with my wife I’ll say sweetheart open up the humidor, I’ll spark up and think about all the wonderful things that have happened that day.”

The evening included grand cigar reception at which Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and Whitley Neill Distillers Cut Gin and Aber Falls Welsh Whisky cocktails were served. A delicious three course dinner, including perfect beef Wellington for 250 guests with stunning wines (the Florester Chardonnay 2020, Chile and Delanz Estate Blend 2019, Chile) was accompanied by entertainment from Sambrosa Cuban All Stars performing the very best of The Buena Vista Social Club.

Awards and winners for 2023
·       Cigar Accessory of The Year – Boveda
·       Cigar Communicator of The Year – Colin Cameron
·       Cigar Spirit of The Year – The Hine Cigar Reserve XO Cognac
·       Cigar Sommelier of The Year – Adam Lajca of The Connaught
·       Cigar Producer of The Year – Davidoff
·       Cigar Newcomer of The Year – Regius Serie Limitada Wide Churchill, Peru
·       Churchill Cigar of The Year – The Por Laranaga 47, Cuba
·       Davidoff Cigar Chef of The Year – Andrew Turner
·       Cigar of The Year – Charatan 160^th Anniversary
·       Cigar Sportsperson of The Year – Derek Chisora
·       Cigar Musician of The Year – Pete Waterman
·       Cigar Lifetime Achievement Award – Ray Winstone
·       Cigar Smoker of The Year – Dougray Scott

Winners received a beautiful bottle of Xerjoff Perfume, a personalised travelling humidor filled with the Charatan 160^th Anniversary Cigars, S.T. Dupont lighter and an award trophy.

The Cigars for guests on the evening:
Drew Estate Liga Privada Seleccion De Mercardo Toro, Nicaragua
Davidoff Signature No2, Dominican Republic
Charatan 160th Anniversary Special Edition Churchill, Nicaragua
Por Larranaga Petit Coronas, Cuba
Regius Serie Limitada Wide Churchill, Peru.

Boisdale Christmas Charity Online Auction:
Boisdale concluded their Christmas online charity auction on the evening raising a total of £67 949. 100% of proceeds will go to five registered charities Parkinson’s UK, Lord Of The Isles Galley Charitable Trust, International Churchill Society, Art History Link Up and The Siobhan Trust. The auction included 95 amazing lots from vintage cigars, rare whiskies, fine wine, to art and experiences.