Soggy and inspirational north

I've spent the last couple of days exploring the wonderful Hotel du Vin outlets at York and Newcastle - not to mention the lovely Mal Maison in Toontown too - researching for a forthcoming series of articles.

These classy outfits provide everything that cigar-lovers enjoy; fine food, vintage wines, whisky and spirits of every hue and description, comfortable and well-equipped rooms - and best of all, humidors stuffed with delicious Cuban smokes and heated, covered Cigar Shacks to enjoy them in.

Not all 14 HdV hotels have a dedicated shack or bothy because of lack of room, but half or so do. Replete with a small gas fire, leather chairs, cushions, lighting and table service, it's a simple matter to adjourn from your meal with a coffee and Scotch and light up in comfort outside.

And inevitably, when a group of disparate people with similar tastes are thrown together, you make new friends. Over the course of two nights, I met a millionaire Scottish IT wizard who hardly drew breath; a proud mum and dad celebrating their son's graduation (brandy and port cocktail anyone?!) and a smashing group of ex-Navy lads computer mapping the bottom of the Tyne.

There's no doubt that without the cigar shack, we'd have slipped away forever, never having exchanged a word. But thanks to the brotherhood of cigars, we shared a laugh, a smoke, taste-tested each other's drinks pairings and learned something new about the world.

Tell me that's not healthy.

I've put together a little compilation video that gives you a flavour of what Hotel du Vin is all about. Once your appetite is whetted, go one step further and visit yourself. The hotels regularly join forces with local shops to host cigar dinners, and each outlet has a dedicated 'Cigar Champion', trained by Hunters and Frankau. Find your nearest HdV hotel at www.hotelduvin.co.uk





While in the soggy north, I made a point of dropping in on city newcomers, Cuban Cigar Club. What a pleasant surprise to dash in out of the rain to a warm, well lit and beautifully presented cigar 'showroom' with a large and extremely well-stocked humidor. Two real enthusiasts in Justin Clayton and Manager Nick Houghton treat visitors with respect and understanding, and are building up quite a following. Plans are afoot to build a lounge under in the cavernous back of the shop - can't wait for that. Watch this space for further details and get up their and support the lads if you can. You can find them at www.cubancigarclub.co.uk
To send you on your way, here's a quick wander around the shop, courtesy of MontyCristoTV.





All the best,


M.