Hunters and Frankau Specialist Retailers Exhibition and Dinner 2006

This years Specialists conference was held at the Waldorf Hilton in the Strand and I was delighted to attend with my assistant Michelle form our London office, Christine and Alfie representing Turmeaus Tobacconist retail shops in Liverpool and Chester as well as my partner Ron Morrison representing Robert Graham Ltd (Whisky & Cigar Merchants) of Scotland.

Representatives from Habanos S.A., Villiger, Agio, Altadis USA and Colibri held an excellent exhibition to show case their products.

Simon Chase (Hunters and Frankau Marketing Director) gave a most informative talk on dating vintage Havana cigars boxes and I was delighted to be on his table for the dinner.

David Lewis (Hunters and Frankau Chairman) proposed the toast to the Queen followed by the entire room singing Happy Birthday (the Queen is celebrating her 80th birthday!)

There were numerous prize draws and Neil Millington (Manager of La Casa Del Habanos in London) won the trip to Cuba for next years Festival...lucky chap ;-)

We were treated to the delightful new Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills at dinner which I’m pleased to say is available now exclusively to the UK market. (Shipping worldwide available NOW).

I can confirm that they are a delightful cigar (having smoked three on the night!) full flavour, medium strength with a colorado wrapper and a cool draw and even burn.

We also smoked the new limited editions for this year. Namely Monte Robusto (not for the faint of heart!...this is some powerhouse) and the splendid Partagas Serie D No 3 which is a full strength and rather spicy (peppery) corona gorda that I am fast becoming fond of.

This years Silver Chaveta award went to Desmond Sautter for his outstanding contribution to the cigar trade since 1958. Congratulations Desmond! The award could not have gone to a finer Gentleman.

Edward Sahakian of Davidoff London was of course in attendance snapping away with his digi cam as ever!...hope to mooch the photos off him for the website in the next few days (when I grow up I want to be Edward!)

The meal was delicious and the wines sublime (thanks to John Darnton of Hunters and Frankau!)

Sincere gratitude to Jemma Freeman and Hunters and Frankau for inviting us to a most wonderful evening.

Best 

Mitchell Orchant ( SmokeyMo)
Founder
C.GARS Ltd 
Havana Cigar Specialists London, Chester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow