The Spectator & Boisdale’s Summer Cigar Garden Party, Thursday 2 July, 7.30-10.00pm

You are invited to join us at The Spectator’s venerable headquarters in Westminster to celebrate cigars, fine wine and rare malt whiskies and a sumptuous seasonal canapé supper, prepared by Boisdale, in our beautiful garden, all included in the ticket price. Do join us. Davidoff cigars: Zino Honduras Robusto 5" by 54RG RRP £25 - The new Zino Honduras from Davidoff uses an Ecuadorian wrapper over a blend of Honduran tobaccos from Copán and the Jamastran Valley. Medium-full bodied Plasencia Alma del Cielo Robusto 4 7/8" by 52RG RRP £30 - Grown on the Plasencia family’s (founded 1865) most treasured estate, Finca San Julián in Condega, this is the world’s highest cigar plantation, cultivated at an awe-inspiring 1,300 meters above sea level. That rare altitude imparts a unique character and complexity that sets this cigar apart. Medium bodied. Santa Rita Grand Cru Wines of Chile: Santa Rita Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2022, Maipo, Chile | Santa Rita Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Maipo Chile | Santa Rita Gran Reserva Carmenere 2022, Colchagua, Chile Rare Limited Edition Duncan Taylor Collection Malt Whiskies: Duncan Taylor 18yo Highland Park Oloroso Octave RRP £300 Duncan Taylor 17yo Glenallachie PX Octave RRP £130 Duncan Taylor 11yo Linkwood Madiera Octave RRP £90 Duncan Taylor 10yo Teaininch, Amontillado Octave RRP £65 More about the whiskies: The Duncan Taylor “Octave” range is one of this esteemed whisky company’s flagship independent limited edition bottling series. The concept is simple: select the finest mature aged whisky cask, draw down 40-70 litres, and transfer it to a small “octave” cask for a few months to intensify wood interaction and flavour development at a much higher wood-to-spirit contact ratio accelerating flavour integration. The result is rich, intense, highly complex sherried whiskies. The Octave casks are made from ex Oloroso, PX (Pedro Ximénez), Amontillado sherry casks as well as ex Madeira and Port barrels. 18yo Highland Park Oloroso - Earthy & Leafy: Initial aromas evoke a damp forest floor, autumn leaves, and moss. Rich Dark Fruits: Deep layers of dark chocolate-covered cherries, stewed figs, and prunes. Savory & Sweet: Gentle whiffs of soft, sweet pipe tobacco and fresh, well-oiled leather. Coastal Backbone: A clean undercurrent of mineral and maritime notes, true to the Highland Park coastal identity. Mouthfeel: A thick, full-bodied, and highly viscous texture that coats the entire mouth. Savory Meats & Spice: Strikingly complex, leaning into a meaty and savoury profile balanced by peppery pencil shavings and warm oak spice. Subdued Sherry Sweetness: Not overly sweet or bitter, delivering concentrated, drier fruit tones like dried figs. Creamy Transitions: The prominent dark chocolate on the nose transforms on the tongue into smooth, milky coffee and espresso notes. Length: A remarkably long, persistent, and clean finish. Smoke & Soot: Lingering notes of earthiness, sooty peat, and a delicate whiff of grass smoke. Warm aftertaste: The sharper, spicy attack fades away to reveal a comforting, warm, and lingering heather honey tone. 17yo Glenallachie PX Octave - The palate is full and rounded, delivering concentrated sherry richness with dried fruits, treacle and toffee, balanced by roasted nuts, espresso and subtle spice. The octave cask adds depth and intensity while preserving the distillery’s character, leading to a long, warming finish of dark fruit, cocoa and seasoned oak from GlenAllachie Distillery. 11yo Linkwood Madiera Octave - Fresh Fruit & Zest: Bright notes of orchard fruits (baked apples and pears) interwoven with the sharp, vibrant lift of citrus peel and clementine. Sweet Pastry & Baking: Decadent aromas of shortbread, vanilla pods, fresh sponge cake, and dark honeyed toffee. Subtle undertones: delicate wafts of cut grass, toasted oak, and soft, warming kitchen spices. 10yo Teaininch, Amontillado Octave - This 10-year-old Teaninich is brought to us as part of the independent Octave collection. Distilled in 2015 and bottled in 2026, this single malt finished its maturation in a little amontillado sherry octave for enhanced depth of flavour. Dark forest berries, buttery fudge, spiced clove warmth, rich sherry, candied citrus peel.