Geneva, Post Tenebras Lux. That city, at the end of Lake Leman, is known for its international and humanitarian presence with the Geneva Conventions, the Palais des Nation, the International Red Cross, CERN and numerous other NGOs. The financial sector of Geneva is primarily dominated by its production of luxury items with the presence of firms such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Franck Muller and many more. Today, it is one of these iconic brands that brings us here, Davidoff.
A quick stop by the hotel Le Métropole, just to get changed for the evening, white with a touch of gold, and I’m off to the event. Lake side, Quai Gustave-Ador, in front of a heavy steel gate with illuminated letters reading Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives. A fast-paced walk uphill between freshly cut green grass, a squirrel climbing up a tree and I’m there. I give my name and luckily I’m not the last one to arrive!
After having looked around at all the displays of fine jewellery by Tavitian, some unusual ceramic white and blue decanters of Clase Azul tequila which looked a little like Dutch Delftware, a stop by the cold cut meats and a cocktail in hand, I spot a man with a clean-cut salt and pepper beard walking by the cigar rolling table. Emilio Ventura enters the scene.
Excuse me Señor Ventura. Could I take a moment of your time to ask you a few questions?
Emilio Ventura: Please do.
When did you start rolling cigars?
Emilio Ventura: Well, I’ve been rolling cigars for Davidoff for 14 years, but I started first working with my family on the tobacco plantation at the age of 19 years old, so I have a little more than 20 years working with tobacco in one form or another.
You are here rolling cigars for this event, I am sure it’s a long process, is it not?
Emilio Ventura: Yes, I started early this afternoon rolling the cigars. Some are already done and a few only require the cap to finish them off.
Is this your first time outside of the Dominican Republic?
Emilio Ventura: Yes, I arrived a few days ago in the German speaking part of Switzerland and then I’ll be heading to Spain.
What do you think of Switzerland:
Emilio Ventura: It’s beautiful and very different.
Do you like teaching your art?
Emilio Ventura: Yes, I must agree that I do. It’s like handing over my knowledge to the next generation.
I have one last question for you. What is your preferred cigar size?
Emilio Ventura: six inches with a 52-50 ring gauge. I love Intense flavours, something like our Yamasá blend.
Thank you for your time.
Emilio Ventura: You’re welcome.
The guests assemble, we are greeted by our host, the emblematic Davidoff of Geneva, at rue de Rive 2. After a few words of introduction, we are reminded to try and smoke on the balcony. Hmm, I look at the Davidoff Millennium in my hand when someone in the background responds with an emphasis on “try to” followed by the laughter of the crowd. We are given the details of the cigar that has been handcrafted today by Emilio Ventura, a reintroduction to a limited-edition blend from 2012.
Throughout the evening I had some pleasant conversations with interesting people. One of which was after I spent some time looking at the assembly table near the Tavitian displays. A man full of smiles and a joyful look in the eye, Simon Tavitian.
Where did the name of the collection come from and how did they come to be?
Simon Tavitian: This is my first collection of jewellery; I’ve been doing the jewellery setting for all the luxury brands of Geneva since 1989. When covid happened, I wanted to do something for myself and decided to start my own collection. My initial idea was to call them “les Iles” (the Islands) because they look like islands from a bird’s eye view, but a friend told me that I should call them Corail.
During the presentation we were told that your son works with you, was it to follow your footstep?
Simon Tavitian: No, I have always encouraged my children to follow their dreams. He was in business school, but he didn’t like it. So he told me “Dad, I want to stop and work with you”. And now he is a geologist.
A few Dark and Stormy later, maybe it’s time to try the cigar prepared by Emilio Ventura as a night cap. I am trembling with excitement, the draw is perfect with just the right amount of resistance, black pepper, lots of black pepper, musk, leather, and cedar, masterfully crafted indeed! I am going to fall in love with this cigar. The difference between a fresh cigar and one that has had the time to rest at the factory is astonishing and definitively worth the try.
It is almost midnight when I bid my farewell. I look back once more to the front gate of the park and walk back to the hotel with the goodie bags in hand. What made this event so special is that guests were able to try the cigar freshly rolled – a very rare opportunity. Yep, I had a blast of a time!