The Boisdale Awards

A LOT has changed since the early Boisdale Cigar Awards.

They were raucous affairs, and still are – but these days, 10 years since the inaugural event the operation is slick and the great and the good of the cigar world know what they’re going to get for the price of their ticket.

Great live music, camaraderie from old friends and new; a selection of good sticks to smoke in the chilly London air; a sumptuous meal; and a long awards ceremony.

The Viña Carmen-sponsored awards for this year did not disappoint, with Elvis himself providing a rollicking live show which warmed up the already excited crowd and a host of award winners.

The coveted Cigar Smoker of the Year Award went to actor Oris Erhuero, a ling-time Cuban cigar fan who is educating himself in the world of cigars from other locations and Lifetime Achievement was won by Head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders. Tor Imports’ own Ricardo Carioni won Cigar Communicator of the Year and other winners included musician Hamish Stuart, chef Claude Bosi and Vanessa Vieria, Cigar Sommelier of the Year from The Sahakian Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel. Cigar Producer of the Year was won by AJ Fernandez.

A full list of winners is as follows:
Cigar Smoker of the Year – Oris Erhuero
Lifetime Achievement Award – General Sir Patrick Sanders
Cigar Accessory of the Year – Les Fines Lames
Cigar Communicator of the Year – Ricardo Carioni
Cigar Spirit of the Year – Facundo Eximo 10-year old rum
Cigar Sommelier of the Year – Vanessa Vieria
Cigar Producer of the Year – AJ Fernandez
Cigar Newcomer of the Year – Zino Nicaragua
Churchill Cigar of the Year – Romeo y Julieta, Cuba
Cigar of the Year – Aladino Corojo Robusto
Davidoff Cigar Chef of the Year – Claude Bosi
Cigar Sportsperson of the Year – Mike Edwards
Cigar Musician of the Year – Hamish Stuart