Gilbert de Montsalvat 18: What begins as a birthday ends (almost) in a state of emergency

A birthday. An invitation. And a night that ends somewhere between pleasure and madness. Why is the cigar dedicated to the hippopotamus? Here's his explanation of why he chose the hippo: Reel on Instagram.

Here is my 5-minute documentary film

YouTube, only possible with „18+“ login. You can also use your Google login. Click on the cover:

Gilbert de Montsalvat Year Of The Hippo. - „What?“

I stand in front of the door of the event location, pause for a moment and think: So Gilbert de Montsalvat turned 18 - on the first of April. And at this birthday party comes a cigar that is completely different to anything you would normally get for a «Limitada». Honestly, and it wasn't an April Fool's joke!

And me in the middle of it:

• Date: 01.04.2026
• Location: Showroom 39 in Küsnacht near Zurich
• Birthday cigar: Gilbert de Montsalvat Year Of The Hippo! Huh? What's that supposed to be?
• Vitola: Double figurado

Brief summary for quick classification

The event, organised by brand owner Raymondo Bernasconi, is exclusive and only open to invited guests. The atmosphere is intense, personal, warm and stunning. It is not a classic cigar event - but a celebration of enjoyment, encounters and moments that stay with you.

An invitation that cannot be taken for granted

„You're in.“ That's all the message said (or something like that). No programme. No details.

Just these two words. And suddenly it's clear: this is not going to be a normal evening. Raymondo Bernasconi is inviting you - and when he invites you, it means something. Not an open event, not a „come along“.

I step inside - and you can feel it immediately: This is not about mass. This is about presence. Among them: Specialist retailers, long-time companions of the brand and aficionados. No selfie culture, no superficial networking. Instead, conversations, laughter, stories, discussions. You quickly realise: no one is here by chance.

The evening takes place in a deliberately chosen setting that reflects exactly this attitude: subdued lighting, armchairs and tables, a room that doesn't have to be loud to have an impact. Not a place for walk-in customers - but for people who know why they are here.

18 years of Gilbert de Montsalvat - and what that really means

The author Thomas Brunnschweiler is the actual namesake of the brand. The character Gilbert de Montsalvat comes from his story. Gilbert himself has no sense of taste - and yet he describes his sensory impressions. It is precisely this contradiction that makes the character so fascinating. When Raymondo Bernasconi reads the end of the story and realises the truth, he is initially disappointed. And at the same time gripped. At a personal meeting, the decision is made - not in a meeting, but with a handshake: the new cigar brand will be called Gilbert de Montsalvat.

This evening is not just about an anniversary. It is also about a premiere. For the first time, a new cigar from Gilbert de Montsalvat will be presented - a vitola that was created precisely for this occasion. Not a loud launch, not a spectacle. But a beautiful, confident presentation. The cigar is well-balanced, with a presence that is not intended to impress, but to convince. You can read my review of the cigar here.

Deliberately no «Limitada number 843», deliberately no «Year Of The Chinese Zodiac», but this time the hippopotamus is honoured. Typical Raymondo. Here is his explanation of why he chose the hippopotamus: Reel on Instagram.

18 years is not a number in the world of cigars. It is a filter. Brands come, brands disappear - only a few remain. Gilbert de Montsalvat is one of those that have stayed.

Not through volume. But through consistency. Through decisions that only pay off years later. Through tobacco that is given time. And through lines that don't follow every trend. This brand has not accelerated. It has developed.

And that's exactly what's in the air tonight. Not as marketing. But as an attitude.

The cigars served tonight tell exactly that story. No show. No artificial spectacle.

But substance.
A guest next to me says quietly:
„This is not a party. This is a statement.“

He's right.

And then my birthday, no joke, also on 1 April

At some point, between conversations, smoke and a glass that never really gets empty, someone says: „Wait a minute... it's your birthday today too, isn't it?“ I nod. -„How old?“ he asks. I hesitate for a moment. Then I say: „61.“ A short pause. A grin. „61 years young?“ I laugh.

Raymondo and his team have prepared something. Oh my God. I can (have to) take the microphone. «But I'm shy and don't understand humour at all!» I say and hide behind Raymondo. The guests laugh. And then this: the whole room sings the birthday serenade. Honestly, I'm touched because I wasn't expecting it. I'm presented with flowers and a sensational cake in the shape of the new HIPPO cigar.

The candles are burning - there aren't 61 of them, but they are arranged in such a way that it looks like a 61. Unfortunately, I don't recognise this because the cake is in a different position. But now that I know, I appreciate it all the more. (Giuseppe, who arranged the candles this way, knows what I'm talking about). 🤣🤣🤣

What a party

And then something happens that you can't plan for.

The conversations become more intense.
The cigars become more personalised.
The mood shifts from elegant to electrifying.

No loud excess.
But a dense, almost tangible energy.
People stand together, laugh, discuss, keep quiet - and smoke.

Every moment feels a little more significant than it normally is.
And that's exactly what makes it special.

The host

Raymondo Bernasconi moves through the room as if it were all completely natural.

But it is not.

Raymondo Bernasconi in the centre 😎

You can see that there is more to it than organisation.
There is an attitude behind this.

No exaggerated appearance. No loud „Look here“.
But presence.

And that's exactly why this evening works so brilliantly!

What remains

At some point it gets quieter. The conversations become quieter, the cigars shorter. I stand there, thinking about that number again: 18 and 61. And suddenly my number, 61, doesn't matter at all. Because this evening has shown something else: Time is not measured in years.

But in moments that stick.

To the point

This evening was more than a double birthday - it was a reminder of why we love cigars in the first place. Not because of the tobacco alone, but because of the people, the conversations and the moments that arise from them.

The quality of an evening does not come from the programme, but from what happens between the people. And the creativity of Raymondo Bernasconi.

Pictures: Vasilij Ratej