Churchill Dinner

IT wouldn’t be too much of a stretch of the imagination to call it the cigar dinner of the year.

A right royal line-up of cigars from the legendary house of Romeo y Julieta, superb drinks, a beautiful venue and a lot of fun and laughter created a night to remember for the Sautter Churchill dinner to mark 81 years since D-Day.

On a blustery evening, 40 guests in black tie and gowns arrived to mark the occasion at Alfred’s, the Dunhill Private Members Club in the very heart of Mayfair.

As soon as they had stepped inside, guests were handed their goodie bags, each including a commemorative Churchill table lighter, cutter, matches, an old Crown coin with the great man’s visage on it; and, of course, a selection of cigars to smoke throughout the evening.

Burners glowing merrily, the courtyard at Alfred’s was soon swirling with aromatic cigar smoke. Oysters and amuse-bouche were served, accompanied by refreshing glasses of Churchill’s favourite Champagne – Pol Roger. Some puffed on a Wide Churchill from their pack – some chose a Short Churchill. Tough choice.

Dinner was served.

This was a menu that the great man could have chosen himself; all his favourites, one after the other. Prawn and Avocado Cocktail to start (outrageous sweet and succulent prawns); followed by roasted Aberdeen Angus Sirloin, Yorkshire pud and all the trimmings. Wines flowed; more favourites like a wonderfully silky Claret, the Château Bellevue Saint Emilion 2003 or the Vina Pomal Rioja Reserva from 2018. Summer fruit pudding formed the dessert, Ararat Akhtamar Armenian Brandy Aged 10 Years the astounding finale. Words were spoken by Sautter Boss, Laurence Davis, author Nick Hammond narrated Churchill’s extraordinary life and Jimmy McGhee of UK Cuban cigar suppliers, Hunters and Frankau, talked of Churchill’s love of cigars – particularly those from Cuba.

And then a Romeo Y Julieta Churchill Reserva from 2012 – an incredible cigar to enjoy back out in the courtyard, with more drinks, laughter and smoke.

You couldn’t have wished for a finer cigar evening among like-minded, interested and interesting people. If you missed it, bad luck – make sure you keep your eyes peeled on all Sautter networks for the next extravaganza. If it is half as good as this one – you won’t want to miss it.