The Cigar World
Excerpt from the book by
A cigar makes time stand still’ is a quote often associated with a man whose name was synonymous with cigars throughout his lifetime: Zino Davidoff (left). In 1911, Henri Davidoff opened a small cigar shop in Geneva that quickly grew. It became an inspiration for his son Zino, born Sussele-Meier Davidoff in the former Russian Empire. In the early 1920s, Zino travelled to South America to learn everything about the tobacco business. Upon his return to Geneva, he took over the reins of the family business.
In 1946, Zino was selling his own cigar line from a Cuban production factory which he named after famous the French wineries. By 1968, Davidoff’s No. 1, No. 2 and Ambassadrice were launched, all with the legendary white band. From then until the early 1990s, the cigars were produced in Cuba under the Davidoff brand name.
In 1970, Davidoff sold the firm to his friend Dr. Ernst Schneider (p. 21), CEO of Basler Oettinger Imex AG, and the multinational company Oettinger Davidoff AG came into being. Zino himself became a tireless, global ambassador for the Davidoff brand. The company’s portfolio today includes not only Davidoff, but also brands such as Camacho, Zino Platinum, AVO, Cusano, The Griffin’s, Private Stock and Zino. As CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard (right) puts it, ‘Our vision revolves around innovation, passion, and integrity. Inspired by this vision, we are working as a global team to be an indispensable business partner.’
The cigars are now primarily produced in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua, and are characterised by their reliable quality.
The Cigar World Book
Luxury, exclusivity, status―for centuries, the cigar has been a symbol for the special and extraordinary. Cigar smoking, which began over 2,000 years ago with the Maya, is experiencing a huge renaissance today. The cigar is a recreational luxury item in high demand, a combination of craftsmanship and tradition with a cult following that is hard to top. Connoisseur and cigar expert Cosima Aichholzer is one of the world’s leading authorities on cigars. There isn’t a cigar lounge in the world she hasn’t traveled to or a brand that she hasn’t personally tested. In this standard reference work for all cigar experts and fans, the sophisticated Austrian provides authoritative answers to questions about the cigar’s history, production process, where tobacco for cigars is grown, how to buy and store cigars, and much more. Let us take you on an exciting and fascinating journey into the world of cigars. Learn more about the countries they come from, the raw materials that go into them, the craftsmanship involved in making them, and the world’s most beautiful cigar lounges, all shown in captivating pictures. Take a look at exclusive accessories, custom-made humidors, luxurious lighters, and many other items. So sit back, light up a cigar with celebrity fellow smokers, and peruse entertaining interviews that include tidbits like the cigar that Arnold Schwarzenegger finds unforgettable.
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