On Saturday, 26 July, Carlowrie Castle opened its gates to a rare celebration of two of the world’s most storied pleasures: cigars and Scotch whisky. The inaugural Meet the Makers in the UK brought together a circle of makers, connoisseurs and passionados for a day of expert panels, tastings, and spirited giving.
Hosted by TOR Imports Ltd. and Robert Graham 1874, the event welcomed 250 guests from over 20 countries, including the United States, UAE, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Latvia, Nairobi, Canada and across the UK. The occasion sold out in advance and raised more than US$30,000 in support of three charities working across Scotland and Nicaragua.
A Day of Craft, Camaraderie and Culture
From the moment guests arrived, greeted by the skirl of a Highland piper and the rhythm of traditional dancers, the stage was set for an immersive experience. The cigar and whisky makers stood in a line, welcoming each attendee to this intimate and special encounter.
Whisky and cigars enthusiasts enjoyed seminars with legendary cigar and whisky makers, exclusive tastings, curated pairings and a convivial Highland Games competition. In one of the day’s most memorable moments, Team Whisky triumphed over Team Cigars in a tug of war finale, though both camps won hearts through their good humour and sporting spirit.
As day turned to evening, guests gathered for a Leaf and Malt reception, followed by a live charity auction with one-off lots donated by the makers themselves. The night closed on a high note with a performance by The Rolling Drones, whose energetic blend of modern pop and Highland pipes brought the castle to life.
Each guest received a gift bag, featuring a cigar from each maker, a branded Glencairn glass, whisky miniatures and accessories, a fitting gesture from an event that celebrated the art of generosity as much as it did flavour.
A World-Class Line-Up of Makers
Throughout the day, guests took part in six curated panel discussions featuring leading voices from the cigar and whisky worlds, each offering rare insights into craftsmanship, innovation and pairing culture.
The opening session, “Tradition vs Innovation”, brought together Robert Caldwell of Caldwell cigars, Jorge Luis Fernandez Maique of Casa Carrillo, Steve Saka of Dunbarton and Thomas Gryson of Oliva for a lively exchange on balancing heritage with modern thinking in cigar making. The panel was moderated by author and journalist Nick Hammond.
Whisky took centre stage in “Oak and Smoke”, with Professor David Thomson from Annandale, Mateo Ortiz of The Dalmore, Iain Forteath of Glencadam, Scott Fraser of Isle of Raasay and Gordon Dallas of Tamdhu exploring wood influence, smoke integration and flavour evolution. Moderation came from Christopher Coates, editor of Whisky Magazine.
In “The Ultimate Cigar Pairing”, accessory makers Sean Knutsen of Boveda, Pierre Jourdan of Les Fines Lames and Rosemary Sharp of Lotus discussed how design and detail elevate the smoking experience. The session was chaired by Joshua Habursky of the Premium Cigar Association.
The seminar “New World Then and Now” reflected on the evolution of the New World cigar movement, with insights from Abdel Fernandez of AJ Fernandez, Gerardo Turrent of Casa Turrent, Christian Eiroa of CLE and Joey Reichenbach of Drew Estate. The panel was led by Katja Gnann of Cigar Journal.
In “Whisky Moments: Neat, Mixed or Paired?”, Scott Adamson of Tomatin and Abigail Clephane of Bruichladdich explored the many ways whisky finds its place, from cocktails to contemplative pours.
The final panel, “30 Years of Excellence”, featured Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana and Nick Perdomo Jr. of Perdomo Cigars in a reflective conversation on building legacy and staying relevant in the premium cigar world.
A Celebration with Purpose
At its heart, Meet the Makers Scotland was a philanthropic endeavour. Funds raised will support:
- Fe y Alegría, a school in Estelí, Nicaragua, that feeds and educates over 1,200 children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The Yard Scotland, which offers inclusive play spaces and support for disabled children and their families.
- Lothian Children’s Deaf Club, a peer-led initiative empowering deaf children and their families in the Lothians.
Scott Vines (left), Managing Director of TOR Imports, together with Stephen Johnstone (right), Managing Director of Robert Graham 1874.
“This event was about more than cigars and whisky. It was about connection, community and giving something meaningful back,” said Scott Vines, Managing Director of TOR Imports. “We’re deeply grateful to all who travelled, contributed and made this possible.”
“Bringing together the world’s finest makers with such generosity of spirit was a privilege,” added Stephen Johnstone, Managing Director of Robert Graham 1874. “This was a moment we will carry with us, not just as hosts but as part of something bigger.”
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