A prestigious new tobacco-themed event will take place next month.
Boisdale, home of Forest's Freedom Dinner, has joined forces with The Spectator to launch the Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner.
News of the event was announced on Tuesday:
Bringing together cigar aficionados and celebrity cigar smokers from around the world, The Spectator Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner, founded by Boisdale, will be held in the lavish surroundings of Boisdale Canary Wharf on 19th November 2013.
Accompanied by some of the most highly regarded vintage wines and spirits, the inaugural event will celebrate the culture and heritage of the exquisite tobacco product over a jubilant banquet and vintage cigar auction.
The evening will recognise various aspects of the cigar world, with awards categories including cigar producers, retailers, cigar terraces and writers, culminating in The Spectator Cigar Smoker of the Year.
This will be presented to a high profile individual with a complete passion for the pure enjoyment of cigar smoking, and a persona that exudes the stature, refinement and elegance of the great hand-rolled cigar. The celebrity winner will receive a humidor of rare cigars, and a beautiful Jean Richard wristwatch with a value of £15,000.
At the start of the evening Boisdale will also host "one of the greatest cigar auctions ever seen, underpinning London’s position as the capital of luxury and sophistication":
Specialist cigar merchant Mitchell Orchant of C.Gars Ltd has sourced an unrivalled selection of pre-embargo Havanas, Limited Edition Cubans, much sought-after Davidoff and Dunhill cigars, as well as a vast number of collectible Habanos humidors. International cigar collectors will able to place bids online from 15th October at www.cgarsltd.co.uk.
I'm delighted to report that Boisdale MD Ranald Macdonald has invited Forest to present the award for Best Cigar Terrace. There's also a plan for us to have some further involvement on the night.
Tickets are not, er, cheap but if the event offers even a small opportunity to speak up for smokers I think it's right to take it.
For details visit the Boisdale website here.
PS. When Ranald spoke to me about this a few weeks ago I suggested he do a deal with an e-cigar company so guests can 'smoke' in the restaurant during dinner.
"What are e-cigars?" he asked warily.
"Er, they're like e-cigarettes. They try to recreate the look and feel of a real cigar but inside there's a liquid cartridge and battery."
Silence.
"What do you think?"
Still no response. Then a single word that spoke volumes:
"No."
Good man!