Boisdale Cigar Awards
7 December 2021
London December 2021: The Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021
Monday 6th December at Boisdale of Canary Wharf.
Old Pilots London Dry Gin, produced by Croatian craft-distillery, The Spirit in The Bottle (Duh u
boci), has taken off into the UK domestic market, by sponsoring the world’s most prestigious
Cigar Awards Dinner, the Boisdale Cigar Awards in Canary Wharf London. The lavish and luxury
celebration at Boisdale of Canary Wharf began with a cocktail reception on the Cigar Terrace,
guests were served three delicious cocktails using Old Pilot’s Gin, including The Bay of Figs
Negroni, which paired beautifully with the aperitif cigar, Rafael Gonzales Perla from Cuba – all
created and served by Croatian Mixologist and MasterChef star, Filip Pleteš.
Old Pilot’s Founders CEO, Tomislav Anadolac and Master Distiller, Hrvoje Bušić sponsored and
presented the award to The Cigar Communicator of the Year to the winner,
Sean Croley of Hunters and Franka. Sean was also presented with a bottle of Old Pilots Barrell
Aged Gin – the perfect accompaniment to cigars.
Founded by Boisdale in 2013 The Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner has become the
world’s most prestigious Cigar Awards Dinner outside of Havana, celebrating iconic cigars, cigar
producers, cigar communicators, and cigar sommeliers in the company of cigar connoisseurs
from the world over. Tom Parker Bowles returned as host for this year’s awards.
This glittering evening celebrates the wonderful world of hand-made cigars. Gathered for the
intimate celebration in Canary Wharf, the capital of the East End, were a glorious host of cigar
aficionados, cigar producers and friends of the cigar. Tom Parker Bowles returned as the host of
the award ceremony alongside Boisdale founder Ranald Macdonald, the two shared quick-witted
exchanges between inviting the 2021 winners to the stage. This particular year celebrated the
200th anniversary of the independence of two great cigar producing nations, Honduras and
Nicaragua. Boisdale welcomed the evenings guests of honour Her Excellency Guisell Morales-
Echaverry, the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Her Excellency Ivan Romero-
Martinez, the Honduran Ambassador of the United Kingdom. Also in attendance were the
Ambassadors of the other two great tobacco producing nations of the world, Her Excellency
Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez the Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom and His Excellency
Elnio Manuel Duran, the Dominican Ambassador to United Kingdom.
An eclectic collection of cigar lovers joined in the celebrations, including English actor Rafe Spall,
veteran film star James Cosmo MBE, Ella Vaday of the BBC Ru Paul’s Drag Race, film producers
Stephen Evans and Jonathan Sothcott, singing sensation Rebecca Fergusson, it-girl Georgia
Toffolo and Czechoslovakian super model Hana Jirickova. As well as, musicians, politicians, and
business leaders, all of whom share a common interest in their fondness for cigars.
All guests received the following cigars on arrival:
Camacho Nicaragua Toro
Plasencia Reserve Original Robusto
Mitchellero Robusto, Nicaragua
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado
Rafael Gonzales Perla, Cuba
After the main course, the original cast members of the West Ends bestselling show, The Definitive Rat
Pack took to the Yamaha Music London Stage to portray the greatest crooners of all time. Ella Vaday
joined Frank Sinatra for a hilarious duet on the classic song My Way.
Followed shortly by the much-anticipated awards ceremony in which Rafe Spall was awarded The Viña
Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021. It is safe to stay spirits were high and the party continued with a
final night cap of stunning Flor de Caña 130th Anniversary Dark Rum, enjoyed on the terrace with the
evening’s stunning cigars.
Awards as follows:
The Cigar Communicator of the Year
Sean Croley of Hunters and Frankau
The Cigar Sommelier of the Year
Slawomir Bielicki of Annabels
The Cigar Spirit of the Year
Flor de Caña 130th Anniversary Rum
The Robusto of the Year 2021
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No2, Cuba
The Cigar of the Year 2021
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado, Nicaragua
The Cigar Producer of the Year 2021
Davidoff
The Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Scott Vines of Tor Imports
The Viña Carmen Cigar Smoker of the Year 2021
Rafe Spall
ABOUT OLD PILOTS GIN
Old Pilots Croatian craft-distillery “The Spirit in the Bottle” (Duh u boci) which is based in the Zagreb
suburb of Rudeš, Croatia. The name Old Pilot’s alludes to the owners who met while in the Croatian Air
Force Academy, became friends and later developed a shared passion for distilling. A passion for flying
combined with passion for the finest spirits inspired two pilots to establish the Croatian craft-distillery and
create something truly unique.
Old Pilot’s Gin, an exquisite London Dry Gin, is distilled with hand-picked, all-natural Croatian botanicals
such as juniper, orange, lavender, sage, Angelica and olive Leaves ensuring high quality spirits. It is not
high-volume distillery but a small batch distillery and everything from distillation to bottling is done by
hand at the distillery. The distillery also produces a 45.4% ABV premium Barrel Aged Gin, which is rested
in first fill Croatian and American bourbon oak barrels with special barrel toasting. Each bottle is hand
crafted, filled, and stamped with aluminium labels, closed with premium bottle sealing wax and satin tear
strip. Old Pilots Gin is 100% natural, gluten free and made in Croatia with handpicked selected botanicals.
The distillery also produces a vodka. Old Pilot’s vodka is created exclusively from premium gluten free
wheat distillate and purified four times through different specialised filters. To obtain its rich texture, the
40% ABV vodka is paired with separately filtered water. The bottle is hand crafted and sports a pilot’s map
stamped on the back.
The company plans to become a full portfolio company and will introduce many other products in 2022,
including whisky (single malt, triple malt and four grain) introduced in 2023.
Old Pilot’s Vodka RRP £34.99
Old Pilot’s London Dry Style Gin RRP£49.99
Old Pilot’s Barrel Aged Gin £68.99
Awards
2021San Francisco World Spirit Competition – London Dry Gin – GOLD Medal
2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition – Best London Dry Gin – TROPHY 2019
International Wine & Spirits Competition – Double Dutch Gin & Tonic – BRONZE Medal
San Francisco World Spirit Competition – London Dry Gin – GOLD Medal
San Francisco World Spirit Competition – Packaging Design Awards – BRONZE Medal
Gin Ur Way – 95/100 score
American Distilling Institute – London Dry Gin – Silver Medal
American Distilling Institute – Certified Craft Distilled Spirit
2018 Croatian Gin Convention – Champion – Best Croatian Craft Gin 2018
Croatian Gin Convention – Craft Gin – Gold Medal
BARREL AGED GIN
2021The Spirits Business 2021 – Barrel Aged Gin – GOLD Medal
San Francisco World Spirit Competition – Barrel Aged Gin – SILVER Medal
2020 San Francisco World Spirit Competition – Barrel Aged Gin – SILVER Medal
American Distilling Institute – Certified Craft Distilled Spirit
American Distilling Institute – Bronze medal
American Distilling Institute – Bronze medal Excellence in Packaging
International Wine and Spirits Competition – Bronze medal
https://oldpilots.com/
About Boisdale:
Boisdale is a critically acclaimed great British restaurant, providing an eclectic environment celebrating the very best
of Britain’s heritage through food, drink and music. With sites in Belgravia, Mayfair, Canary Wharf and Bishopsgate,
the restaurants have a unique atmosphere in which to enjoy one of the world’s leading whisky collections and
exceptional wine list including own bottled wine and vintage champagnes. Also retailing some of the world’s best
hand-rolled Cuban and vintage cigars, each Boisdale restaurant features a bespoke humidor, with Boisdale Belgravia,
Boisdale of Mayfair and Canary Wharf also offering discreet cigar terraces.
Boisdale Cigar Awards
Previous winners have included Simon Le Bon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Baroness Trumpington, Burt Reynolds,
Jonathan Ross, Kelsey Grammer, Andrew Neil, Charlie Sheen, James Cosmo, Chris Noth, Jeremy Irons and Dolph
Lundgren.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_1J2wBos8&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HziNsmKrvvo
Comment from the cigar industry about the event:
“In nine years, the Cigar Smoker of the Year awards have gone from an interesting thought over lunch to a highlight
of the year, and, on this occasion, a hugely welcome opportunity to celebrate those who have excelled amid the
turbulent times we have all endured. The night’s winners this year will be especially worthy”.
Mitchell Orchant MD C.gars Ltd
“After the absence in 2020, Davidoff UK is delighted to see the Boisdale Cigar Smoker of the Year awards return. This
is always a highly anticipated event in the UK cigar calendar and a great gathering for those who love cigars. We
can’t wait for the 6 th of December”
Roy Sommer MD Davidoff UK
“Ever since meeting one of the most engaging men on the planet and after visiting his Canary Wharf destination, I
was convinced that the Boisdale’s Cigar Awards Dinner would be epic and that I could highly recommend it to my
closest friends. No amount of distance (flying from LA or South Africa) keeps me from attending. If you love being
spoiled with fantastic cuisine, wine, spirits, cigars, exceptional service and entertainment you will find your home at
Boisdale.”
Daniel Marshall, Founder DM Red Label Cigars & Humidors
Picture https://we.tl/t-eytfoNeDlG
For further information and images please contact:
Wake Walker PR – Kate Wake-Walker
wwpr@btconnect.com
M: 07885443717
