Greetings from sunny London where I’m happy to report I’m enjoying a Cohiba Siglo VI paired up with a G&T (using Foragers Black Label of course)
Supply issues continue but our rather brilliant UK exclusive importer Hunters & Frankau keep a healthy range of Havanas flowing through to us and though we don’t expect to have full range availability again any time soon we do have many alternatives if your favourites are unavailable. We have also been rounding off the range by releasing some of our reserve stocks including Siglo VI, Lanceros, Esplendidos and Behike over the last month. 😊
We were honoured to welcome Rocky Patel to the UK last week and I think the UK cigar trade gave him a very warm welcome. I saw social media photos of an amazing and huge event at our friend James Barber in Harrogate. Rocky spoke to attendees at the sold out events at Turmeaus Liverpool and C.Gars – Leeds and great evenings were had by all. We sampled Rocky Patel White Label Robusto and Sixty Toro cigars and paired them up with Remy Martin 1738 and XO Cognac. I’m not usually a Cognac drinker but the pairing was quite delicious and certainly worked very well.
The sampling event was followed by dinner at Puffin Rooms with music by the lovely Victoria Sharpe. Our G.M James then selected a flight of rare single malt whiskies from the huge selection at Puffin Rooms and Rocky, Kolja, Paul and I herfed on till… terribly early (or is that late?!) the next morning!
The Rocky Patel range of cigars is available on the website of course and we will be adding new lines over the coming months. This range is comprehensive with shapes, sizes,
flavour and strength profiles to suit all cigar smokers, personally, I love the Gran Reserve Robusto a kaleidoscope of complex flavours from start to finish.
C.Gars Group has sampling events around the country every week throughout the year. A great opportunity to sample new cigars and whisky, rum or cognac as well as learn more about the brands from brand ambassadors. The best opportunity to meet with friends and make new friends sharing our wonderful interest in these finest products.
We introduced the fabulous Aladino range of Honduran cigars to the U.K. a couple of months ago. I love Honduran tobacco but this brand takes quality and blending to a different level. They are incredible value for a premium brand. Perfectly crafted for a cool draw and beautifully presented.
I’m looking forward to welcoming the brand owner Justo Eiroa for a wonderful sampling event at Turmeaus Liverpool on the 19th of July – St James’s on the 21st July Tickets are almost sold out now so book up soon and join us for a memorable evening.
On the 28th July I will be hosting a rare Havana cigar sampling at C.Gars – St James’s together with Sean Croley of Hunters & Frankau. The star cigar will be the rather delicious Por Larranaga Sobresalientes UK regional edition 2014. We will be pairing with a flight of our finest single cask Stalla Dhu single malt whisky and the lovely Lockets wine bar will be laying on canapes. Only 20 tickets available so don’t delay!
But the event of the year will be the C.Gars 25th anniversary party on Wednesday 3rd of August at Boisdale Belgravia!!! To celebrate this milestone we have taken over Boisdale Belgravia for the evening which will start at 6pm. Over 100 guests will be treated to live Cuban band, a feast of food, cigars and libations till late…
Tickets were released late last week and the last time I looked there were only 10 left available… Book soon to avoid disappointment. You don’t want to miss this one!
Our Summer auction was a resounding success with total sales exceeding £800,000 including premiums, in fact, one of the largest auctions we have held. The appetite for aged and rare Havana cigars continues to be insatiable.
Highlights of the sale included:
Davidoff Chateau Haut Brion – £5,050
Davidoff Chateau Latour – £6,100
Davidoff Chateau Margaux – £6,500
Davidoff Dom Perignon box of 25 – £10,100
Davidoff Dom Perignon box 10 – £8,100
La Gloria Cubana 25th anniversary humidor – £7,600
Partagas 170th anniversary humidor – £23,200
Ramon Allones Imperials humidor – £16,900
Cohiba Majestuosos humidor – £24,000
Our next auction is planned for September and we are considering consignments now. Email the auction team at [email protected]
That’s the news for now so I’m heading back to the garden to herf an Aladino Cameroon Robusto in the sunshine 🙂
Have a smoky week
Peaceful puffing
Mitchell