It was an exquisite and memorable evening in London as Daniel Marshall collaborated with other family owned businesses to commemorate Sir Winston Churchill’s birthday. Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Churchill, was in attendance and provided a stunning tribute to her famous grandfather in a private dining room at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower in Belgravia.
Sandys, a notable expert on the life and history of her grandfather, shared intimate stories of his life, travels, philosophy and challenges faced by the luminous legend and leader. She highlighted what Sir Winston was doing and where on each significant birthday from his birth to his death at 90 years old. She held us spellbound with interesting stories relating to his life-long love for whisky and cigars as we sipped some of the world's finest Glenfiddich Single Malts and savored his Namesake Cigar. She told us, "When I was a little girl, I would ask my Grandfather for the cigar bands from the cigars he was enjoying to use as rings that I proudly wore on my fingers."
“My Grandfather never went out without his cigar, even when flying with the Royal Air Force where he modified his mask to allow for his cigar.”
“Every Birthday and Christmas, my mother and I would go to the cigar merchant and buy my Grandfather a cigar as his gift. His 90th Birthday was no exception; we gave him his cigar which he enjoyed with his whisky and champagne.”
"When my Grandfather escaped from prison in South Africa, he made sure he had the bottle of whisky next to him, as he was smuggled out of prison in a wheelbarrow. The whisky very likely was one of your brands," as she spoke to Kirsten Grant, the Great-Great Granddaughter of Glenfiddich’s founder, "which was smuggled into his prison cell in a basket of fruit." Sandys continued, "When I came of age to taste cigars, I enjoyed the smaller size cigars."
Those in attendance heard a firsthand story about a famous Churchill portrait. Sandys asked the group, "Do you know how the photographer Yousuf Karsh was able to capture the famous portrait of my Grandfather that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery? As Karsh readied the equipment, but just before taking the picture, he placed an ashtray in front of Churchill, asking that the Prime Minister remove the cigar from his mouth. Churchill obstinately refused, and Karsh was perplexed; the smoke from the cigar would certainly obscure the image. He returned to the camera, ready to take the picture—but then with lightning speed, Karsh leaned over the camera and plucked it from Churchill’s lips. ‘He looked so belligerent, he could have devoured me,’ Karsh would remember later, and it’s that renown Churchill belligerence and independence that is a hallmark in the famous photograph—a scowl over the pilfered cigar that came to represent, seemingly, a fierce glare as if confronting the enemy. This was the day that Sir Winston lost his cigar!”
The special event hosted by Glenfiddich, Marshall and Davidoff brought together three family owned companies that share a common commitment to quality. The evening’s events included a fabulous collection of Glenfiddich Whisky’s, a Daniel Marshall special three-tier “Whisky Tasting Cigar" designed to pair with 12, 18 and 21 Year Old Glenfiddich. Marshall partnered with 5th generation master blenders and cigar creators Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia to develop the Whisky Tasting Cigar that features three different blends of tobacco and kinds of wrapper leaf.
Following the Whisky Tasting Cigar the guests savored three vitolas from Davidoff; the Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Corona, Robusto, and Toro cigars. Marshall commented, “I am confident Sir Winston would have greatly appreciated the 'Cigars of Character' that Davidoff has created with his namesake Davidoff Winston Churchill Cigar Collection for the world to remember his leadership, courage and relentless passion for the best of the best.” Those in attendance were treated to delightful pairings of these cigars alongside 18, 21 and 30-year vintage Glenfiddich whisky.
Davidoff’s participation holds a special personal meaning to Marshall. “Since 1911, Davidoff has the vision and commitment to carry the legend, passion and lifestyle of fine cigars to the highest level of quality,” said Marshall. “Davidoff represents the absolute best and embodies all of the reasons why we love cigars. Their stores, lounges, and fabulous team worldwide are stellar. I believe we share a common vision with an obsessive commitment to excellence and the extraordinary.”
Marshall and William Grant & Sons, the owners of Glenfiddich have partnered on a host of other events and projects including the Daniel Marshall Whisky Stave Humidor created from the finishing port pipe casks of 21 Year Balvenie Portwood. In addition, the initial launch of the special three-part Daniel Marshall Whisky Tasting Cigar for Glenfiddich was celebrated with Glenfiddch earlier last year in London and Lebanon, Beirut.
Guests in attendance included:
Kirsten Grant, Great-Great Granddaughter of founder William Grant whose family owns and operates Glenfiddich and Balvenie Whisky brands as well as many of the worlds most awarded and loved premium sprits.
Edward and Eddie Sahakian, Davidoff of London and the Sahakian Cigar Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel, London
Mark Thomson, Glenfiddich UK Brand Ambassador
Sambrooke Spurrier, Prestige Business Development Executive William Grant & Sons UK Ltd
Sir Colin Hampden-White, Renowned Photographer
Ms. Sandys completed her tribute to her famous grandfather in a private dining room at the Jumeriah Carleton Tower, London that became so quiet as we hung on every word as she recited this special poem which was written by Sir Winston's friend, Duff Cooper. The poem summed up how the British people, despite voting him out of office after the war, felt about him after the war, and many people in Europe and America that felt the same:
'When ears were deaf and tongues were mute
You told of doom to come;
When others fingered on the flute
You thundered on the drum;
When armies marched and cities burned and all you said came true,
Those who have mocked your warnings turned almost too late to you;
When doubt gave way to firm belief and through five cruel years,
You gave us glory in our grief and laughter through our tears;
When final honours are bestowed and last accounts are done,
Then shall we know how much was owed by all the world to one.'
Photo Credit to: Sir Colin Hampden-White
Daniel Marshall/Glenfiddich Tasting Cigar Events are being scheduled worldwide. Please email info(at)danielmarshall(dot)com or call (714) 923-2889 for details.
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