Boisdale of Canary Wharf

I've been here many times over the last few years and it has always been fairly lively. The food is good, sometimes excellent, but it can also be a bit pricey. The booze is excellent and there's enough bottles of single Malts to kill a rich man's liver. But what a way to go. The decor is plush very Scottish and the food from Scotland Grace's the menu. Live mini haggis starters, salmon, steak and burgers. There's live jazz most nights (Jool Holland is director of music, or something like that). The cigar lounge is where you can taste fine Havanas for as long as you like but cigarettes are a no-no.

The downstairs bar is adjacent to a nice smoking terrace. Ranald McDonald who owns the place has been collecting rare vintage photos of famous people for years and they are up on the walls like a photo gallery. It's not cheap to eat and dine and smoke here but it's usually worth it. If you want to enjoy the live music bedt to check it's on before you arrive. Very good place for business groups and City types. Personally I prefer Boisdale Belgravia which is a lot cosier. Worth a punt if you want a special night out. It all depends on the night for it's sometimes quiet.

On Monday 2nd December, friends from all around the world gathered to celebrate one of the most prestigious Cigar Awards events. Now in its twelfth year it is the greatest cigar awards party in the UK. (Photo: Ranald Macdonald, Managing Director of Boisdale)

The awards ceremony was hosted by Tom Parker Bowles and Ranald Macdonald. The charity auction on the evening raised a total of £55,000. Guests came together to pay homage to the cigar with the great and good of the cigar world, global film and pop stars, writers, business leaders, politicians and the London commentariat.

Guests included: Jack Churchill, Piers Morgan, Ray Winstone, Paul Oakenfold, Niall Keating, Kelsey Grammer, Tamer Hassan, Viscount Hereford, Omar Lye-Fook, Cuban Ambassador Her Excellency Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez, James Cosmo and Lord Carnarvon.

The sold-out black-tie event included a Boisdale Premier Cru Champagne, Flor de Cana 18yr rum and Highclere Castle Gin cocktail reception, a delicious three course dinner with stunning wines from Santa Rita and Vina Carmen as well as wonderful entertainment from Susan Black and her phenomenal Edith Piaf Show and Ladyva performing her world-renowned Boogie Woogie on the Yamaha Grand Piano.

See link to the program for the itinerary, menu, wines, cigars and sponsors here.

The Santa Rita Boisdale Cigar Smoker of the Year Awards Winners 2024:

1. Cigar Communicator of the year: Ana Lopez, Head of Marketing, Hunter’s & Frankau
   Cigar Sommelier of the Year: Blue Curran of The Emory

2. Cigar Producer of the Year: Plasencia Cigars, Nicaragua

3. Cigar Newcomer of The Year: Casa 1910 Revolutionary Edition Cuchillo Parado Robusto, Mexico

4. Robusto of the Year: Davidoff Grand Cru Robusto, Dominican Republic

5. Churchill of the Year: Romeo & Julieta Wide Churchill, Cuba

6. Cigar of the Year: EP Carrillo Encore Majestic, Nicaragua
   Cigar Spirit of the Year: Tomintoul Cigar Malt
   Cigar Chef of the Year: Niall Keating
   Cigar Sportsperson of the Year: David Haye
   Cigar Musician of the Year: Paul Oakenfold
   Cigar Smoker of the Year: Piers Morgan
   Cigar Lifetime Achievement: Mitchell Orchant

Jack Churchill, great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, presided over the charity auction on the evening, which raised £55,000. 100% of proceeds will go to charities including: The International Churchill Society, Sovereign Art Foundation & Lord of The Isles Galley Charitable Trust.