Lunch to end all lunches...

I'VE only just recovered from a barnstormer of a cigar luncheon at The Lanesborough last week.

It was so good I've taken a few days off the cigars for my palate to recover!

I'll be writing about the occasion for the lovely Arbuturian, so I can't go into too much detail, but I can tell you it was sensational. From the moment I was welcomed to The Lanesborough by the Royal Household Cavalry (an accident - I think) to receiving a cigar-shaped dessert, it was the height of food, drink and cigar pairings. Or is that treblings?

Anyway, I include a few taster snapshots for you and will of course let you know via my Twitter feed when the story proper is published. How's about this for a menu?

Not a bad drop this...



Now for the Cognac - now that's a quality pairing

The elegant Garden Room transformed:

And how about a little cigar-themed dessert?

Hope you've enjoyed the sneak preview. May there be many, many more ahead. My thanks to Ajay Patel of Casa del Habanos, Teddington, for his kind sharing of photos.

Best,

M.

Montecristo Open Day

I spent one day this week in the welcoming environment of the Cigar Terrace at Number Ten Manchester Street Hotel.

Armed with an Americano, wifi, walk-in humidor and my iPad, I was all set up and ready for meetings by 11am.

It's a great place for a catch up drink or business meeting; on a fine day, it's a pleasure to stroll down New Cavendish Street from Euston for 20 minutes or so before the welcome sight of the Number Ten fluttering flag greets you as you round the corner.

From there it's the work of but a moment to be ensconced on the warm, friendly terrace. Unusually for me, as I tackled the first emails of the day, I fired up a Montecristo Open - the Master to be precise.

I say unusually, because I've not tried the line before. I wasn't impressed with this one either.

It started dull and bitter and got worse. I discarded it with a third left.

It was incredibly boring, and while it's unfair to judge a cigar based on one stick, a Havana of this price point should be better.

I bumped into Dan from Hunters & Frankau and by an amazing coincidence, he recommended I try another Open - this time the Regatta. I told him of my disappointing experience earlier, but to his credit he stuck to his guns and won me over by telling me Simon Chase had been known to wax lyrical about this cigar. Sold.

I'm pleased to report it was a much better smoke; mild, yes, but flavoursome and with a really superb draw. Good daytime smoke. Thanks Dan.

Just goes to prove you don't know 'til you try...

M.

Cigar O'Clock

I'VE had a blast in the last couple of weeks, really getting stuck into some exceptional cigars and some cracking events.

I can't say too much at this stage as recent jollities are forming the basis of two new articles which I'll direct you to in due course, but suffice to say, a good time was had.

I snipped my way through red-tape with gay abandon last week when I attended a Top Secret Prohibition Dinner.

A gathering of like-minded friends made use of the fine facilities of a city eatery to enjoy some tantalising food, wine, Cognac and cigars - without leaving the dinner table!

The event was a little two-fingered salute to the over-zealous health police who have held sway with their repugnant smoking ban for far too long. So we practiced a little civil disobedience - and it felt naughty but nice ;)

I've also enjoyed some wine and cigar pairings with some thoughtful advice from @DuvaultBlochet of esteemed London merchants Corney and Barrow. These pairings will form the basis of future articles. Anyone interested in a red wine and cigar pairing evening?

Plenty going on and lots to write about. Give me a shout and let me know what you'd like to see covered.

Happy herfing.

M.