Becoming Winston: Lessons from the master It’s been 50 years since the great man’s death and still his legend and philosophy live on and show no sign of slowing down. School children can spout his witticisms and his visage is one of the most well known of any political figure ever. We go beyond his words of perseverance in adversity and show you how to walk a mile in his (well shod) shoes…. Smoke cigars Churchill understood the strong image that smoking a cigar could project. Romeo y Julieta and Camacho were two of his favourite Cuban brands, although he enjoyed a cheaper American alternative throughout much of the Thirties: “They are in a box marked Royal Derby and are called Longfellows,” he wrote. In 1941 Churchill received a gift of 2,400 Havana cigars from the President of Cuba, but one cigar from every box had to be tested for poison before Churchill could enjoy them. Enjoy your food Unsurprisingly Churchill had a rather refined palette. He only liked clear soups (“It must be limpid”, he wrote), he enjoyed gourmet seafood such as oysters and caviar, lobster and dressed crab, and his favourite meats were roast beef shoulder of lamb and fois gras. After-dinner Churchill enjoyed indulging in delicacies including Gruyere cheese and chocolates éclairs, at which point he’d often read fellow diners sections of speeches he was preparing. Known for being able to consume a great deal, Churchill once sat for a 6-hour dinner with Stalin in Moscow. Drink whisky – whether you like it or not Churchill had never like whisky before he was transferred to India as a young army officer; “I disliked the flavour intensely,” he once wrote. However, faced with only tea, water with lime juice, or whisky to quench his thirst, he soon became accustomed to its appeal. “Once one got the knack of it, the very repulsion from the flavour developed an attraction of its own,” he recalled. Churchill’s favourite whisky was Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label (we prefer Johnnie Walker Blue Label), while Hine was his favourite cognac. Dress smartly and sensibly In the name of practicality and comfort, Churchill designed his own zip-up “siren-suit”, that his children referred to as his “rompers”. He had a number made for him by the bespoke tailors Turnbull & Asser in differing colours and fabrics – including a smart blue business-like suit, and one made for him to wear while painting. Also, just because you’re not leaving the house doesn’t mean your style should slip. Churchill famously wore silk pyjamas, and a goose down comforter to bed. The renowned politician even had a customised crested pair of slippers made for him by Peal & Co. When it comes to cars, buy classy and remain brand loyal Churchill used to drive a little Wolseley two-seater, which he later turned in for a De Luxe Landaulette, before again swapping it for a Wolseley four-seater Landaulette. He also used the first advance on the sale of his war memoirs to buy a new Rolls-Royce Barker cabriolet for £2,250. He wasn’t the best driver though, and on one occasion he couldn’t get the car to start. The statesman enlisted the help of a number of people to push it up a hill, before realising he’d forgotten to turn on the ignition and unlock the brake… …and yes. A hat from Christy’s always helps. Via GQUK
