There was an air of mystery as, on the evening of 23 September 2026, eleven connoisseurs, both men and women, gathered in the wonderful atmosphere of the Maduro Olten were present. The owner of Maduro Olten, Jörg Stofer, was there too and enjoyed the event to the full. Vasilij Ratej, the editor of cigars.zone and origin-of-cigar.com, invited visitors on a very special journey of discovery: Insight rather than prejudice.

The tables are set, the stage is ready: an evening full of curiosity, encounters and surprising discoveries awaits at the Maduro Olten.

Without dazzling cigar bands, without evocative brand names and free from any price tag, the Churchill cigar lay before the guests. What really matters when all external distractions are stripped away? Only the pure craftsmanship – the way the smoke unfurls in the room, the balance with which the flavours harmonise, and the way the cigar dances gently on the palate. Refreshments were well catered for: delicious canapés rounded off the experience perfectly.

Raise your glasses and cast your preconceptions aside! This gathering celebrates the joy of embracing the unknown.

Goodbye, raspberry with chocolate sauce: a refreshingly different tasting experience

Usually, a cigar tasting is often like a treasure hunt for the most astonishing flavours: you search desperately for nuances of fine oak, roasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, smooth cream and the like. But let’s be honest: many cigar connoisseurs find it difficult to immediately recognise the full range of a delicatessen in the tobacco smoke.

That is why Vasily suggested a refreshingly different approach that evening. Instead of desperately searching for culinary impressions, the participants began by simply observing the smoke itself: how does it spread through the room? Is it thick and creamy, or rather light? And how elegantly does it dissipate again?

The focus then turned to what really mattered – the fundamental balance of the five basic tastes on the tongue: bitter, sour, sweet, salty and umami. Which of these sensory reference points were perceptible? It didn’t take long to realise just how liberating this method was. The participants clearly enjoyed observing the cigar in its purest form, rather than desperately searching for culinary phantoms.

As the evening wore on, the focus shifted to the technical qualities and behaviour of the longfiller: how long does the cigar hold up without needing to be drawn on? How even is the burn, and how compact is the ash? And lo and behold: Suddenly, nobody was meticulously searching for notes of walnut or fresh raspberries with chocolate sauce any more. Instead, the aficionados simply sat back and enjoyed observing exactly what the cigar honestly and confidently delivered. They were simply wonderful, carefree moments!

A dance of flavours and a little test of courage

Little by little, the room filled with thick, aromatic clouds. The eleven participants – with Jörg Stofer right in the middle of them – immersed themselves in the tasting, analysing the composition and discussing the subtle flavours. With their gentle strength of light 1/5 to 3/5 The mysterious long filler turned out to be a surprisingly elegant companion – velvety, well-balanced and subtly flavourful.

First take a sniff, then discover: even in the glass, the exciting quest to uncover the subtle aromas begins.

The group’s thirst for knowledge was immense, and so many lively technical discussions took place throughout the evening. The participants asked numerous practical questions: To store in cellophane or not? Should I light it with gas or petrol?And Why does a cigar actually taste better in tropical seaside conditions than it does here at home? Vasily answered questions and treated the audience to an evening that was both humorous and incredibly informative.

No ring, no brand name, no price tag: this Churchill had to speak for itself. And it certainly had a story to tell!

Even a small one Test of courage One thing was essential: holding the cigar as close as possible to the burning end! What’s the point of this? If you can hold the cigar just behind the embers for a long time without your fingers getting too hot, it reveals two things at once: on the one hand, you’re smoking at the perfect, slow pace. On the other hand, it is a sign of excellent rolling and tobacco quality – because the tobacco smoulders slowly and evenly without overheating. The satisfied participants were able to take these valuable insights, and many more besides, home with them.

There was plenty to discover between trains, too: lovingly prepared canapés provided some delightful moments.

A piece of chocolate, a sip from the glass and a moment to relax: these little treats made the evening complete.

Amidst the water carafe and a gentle wisp of smoke, the conversations really got going: sharing experiences, asking questions and learning together.

The estimate and the magical moment of the unveiling

The brand remained a secret, but the impressions came to light: bit by bit, an opinion began to form about the unknown Churchill figure.

When the cigar had finally reached its final third and the flavours had fully developed, Vasilij posed the crucial question to the group: „What do you reckon this cigar is worth?“

The participants’ estimates ranged across an impressive span of CHF 14.00 to CHF 29.00 – fascinating evidence of just how refined and complex this Churchill was perceived to be on the palate, completely unaffected by its the actual price of CHF 13.00.

Right up close to the embers: during this little test of courage, how quickly each person smoked became a topic of conversation – and theory turned into a hands-on experience.

Then came the highlight of the evening: the secret was revealed! There were looks of amazement all round. The Villiger LA CAPITANA Churchill was unveiled. A murmur rippled through the room – the proof was there! Above all, all the participants agreed: VILLIGER produces outstanding long-filler cigars. Free from brand bias and image expectations, the smoke impressed across the board and left the entire group thoroughly delighted. And some even bought the LA CAPITANA Churchill from Maduro Olten.

The answer was right there on the table: LA CAPITANA Churchill by Villiger! Earlier, the group had estimated its value at between CHF 14.00 and CHF 29.00. The actual price: CHF 13.00.

What if your sense of taste has been deceiving you all along? Documentary – click on the image

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Conclusion: Freedom for the palate!

This blind tasting has once again impressively demonstrated just how strongly our expectations usually shape our judgement. As soon as the label is removed, pure enjoyment takes over. An inspiring evening full of ‘aha’ moments, wonderful conversations and the realisation that true enjoyment knows no prejudice.

Now the evening even had a name: LA CAPITANA Churchill by Villiger. What remained were delighted guests and the realisation of just how surprising a judgement can be when you set aside your preconceptions about the brand.

The venue

Maduro Ltd / Cigars, tobacco & spirits in Olten, Ringstrasse 4, 4600 Olten

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Free eBook: PURO – A Journey to the Heart of the Cigar.

Forget superficial flavour lists. As a thank you to the zigarren.zone community (since 2014) I’ll give you my complete eBook as a PDF. Experience a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes: from the very first lighting, through the secret of ageing, to the true art of the blender. You’ll receive the download link just in time for Christmas 2026, sent directly by email.

Blind tasting in Olten: When smoke blows away preconceptions