London hotel Dukes has opened its new Cognac & Cigar garden last week.
The Dukes Hotel is situated in a tiny courtyard right at St James’s Place. It’s the hotel where Ian Fleming used to stay, I wonder if he got inspired here for James Bond’s drinks…
The garden offers a full range of cognac, such as brands like Martell and of course Cuban cigars by Hunters & Frankau. The outdoor bar also serves Cognacs like 1811 Napoleon Grande Fine Champagne Imperiale. By the way, they also serve Armagnac.

Of course Dukes has cocktails to offer, the ‘Ruby Windsor’ was created for the new outdoor area: It’s a mix of Champagne, angostura bitters, Martell XO Cognac and a brown sugar cube.
But don’t come with your bus full of mates because the garden accomodates a max of 20 drinkers and smokers. The idea of creating a lounge apparently came from one of the guests, to socialize, smoke and relax.

The garden is opened all year, heated in winter: from 8pm on, barman is called Alessandro.
A snifter of Martell Cordon Bleu costs £ 12
The Ruby Windsor is at £16.50
Cigars range from £16 to £36: Hoya, Bolivar, Montecristo, Romeo & Juliet, Cohiba Siglo V1
Here the full Cognac menu
Martell Cordon Bleu £12
Remy Martin VSOP £12
Hennessy VSOP £12
Brillet XO 1er Cru £16
Delamain 1973 £24
Menuet 50 years £84.50
Hermitage 1945 £149
Croizet 1914 £149
P. Desbordes & Co 1902 £180
Georges Roullet 1900 £185
Borderies 1865 £190
Richard Hennessy 50 years £220
Dupont 1890 £220
Bignon 1800 £340
Impériale 1811 £375
Images and sources: spoonfedblog.com, caterersearch.com