Evening in the sun in Sissach: On October 11, 2025 the sun was not only in the sky, but also in the heart of every participant. At the Sonne Sissach, 14 connoisseurs met for a very special evening - an evening that was all about Cuban cigars. The Sun Sissach has a history. It was lovingly restored over a period of three years and is now a place for real gourmets. The Vaulted cellar houses a private cigar lounge - only accessible to club members. On this evening, however, the doors opened exclusively for Cigars.zone and Origin Of Cigar. In this article, you can experience the best moments, charming mishaps and exciting insights from this enjoyable evening. And why this gourmet evening was more than just a tasting - a piece of Cuba in Sissach.

What did the participants experience at the Sonne Sissach gourmet evening?

A journey through Cuba's tobacco culture

Claudia Puszkar and Vasilij Ratejthe publishing duo of Origin Of Cigar (Online launch on January 1, 2026), hosted the evening together. Claudia, Habanos historian, and Vasilij, editor of Cigars.zonetook the guests on a journey through Cuba's tobacco culture with passion and expertise - with exciting insights, historical background and lively discussions.

The atmospheric photos of the evening were taken by Christian Schmid from FOTOWERK132 - a great cigar aficionado who masterfully captured the atmosphere, the light and the passion of the evening with a keen sense and a sure eye.

Vasilij Ratej and Claudia Puszkar led through the program with competence, charm and subtle humour - a well-rehearsed duo with a palpable passion for Cuban cigar culture.

Claudia Puszkar - For years, she traveled the streets of Havana in the sweat of her brow. She recorded and evaluated every source she could find. She talked to people who knew something or had experienced it themselves. To find out as much as she could about Habanos manufacturers and brands. Collecting knowledge as a passion! The online magazine "Origin of Cigar" (online from 01.01.2026) is therefore a kind of archive in which this knowledge is compiled. But the search goes on and on, one piece of the puzzle after another is added to the overall picture.

Vasilij Ratej - Publisher and creative mind behind Origin of Cigar and Zigarren.Zone - two platforms dedicated to the world of cigars with dedication, care and depth. His focus is on conscious enjoyment, not casual consumption. His aim is to offer you an authentic experience - with well-founded content and a clear attitude. He stands for quality, transparency and the conviction that a cigar is more than just a product: culture, history and personality.

The cigar lounge in the vaulted cellar of the Sonne Sissach - stylishly decorated, atmospherically lit and ready for an unforgettable evening of enjoyment. The ventilation is extraorbitantly good and ensures that the cigar smoke is almost completely extracted - for clear air, unclouded enjoyment and an atmosphere in which everyone feels completely at ease.

Pleasure, history and surprises

The ticket price included everything your heart could desire: a Quay d'Orsay Edicion Limitada 2019a S.T. Dupont cutter in chromea matured Juan Lopez Selección Especial LCDH 2021 to take away and a 5-course tavolataaccompanied by exquisite wines.

The Early-Bird-Ticket was already available months before the event for only CHF 299 available - and sold out in no time. The actual value of the package was over CHF 560.

This attractive prize was made possible by the Sponsorship from S.T. Dupont (the cutter) and Vasilij Ratej (the two Cuban cigars; only the Quay d'Orsay Edicion Limitada 2019 at the time the ticket was rolled out had a value of around CHF 200 per piece).

An arrangement of consummate elegance - made possible by the sponsors: S.T. Dupont with the fine cutter and Vasilij Ratej with the matured cigars - a Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 and a Juan Lopez Selección Especial LCDH 2021.

An evening that Indulgence, History and Surprises characterized by inspiring conversations, fine humor and valuable knowledge that Claudia and Vasilij shared over the course of the evening. The guests brought their own Cuba experiences a wonderfully lively round full of passion and exchange on this evening of enjoyment in Sonne Sissach.

Prosecco, Parma ham and stories

The finest indulgence in preparation: the wafer-thin sliced San Daniele ham was freshly carved on the classic Berkel machine - a culinary start with style.

Finest pleasure in preparation: the wafer-thin sliced prosciutto was freshly carved on the classic Berkel machine - a culinary start with style.

Punctually at 5:00 pm the reception began with a glass of Prosecco. This was accompanied by freshly sliced Parma ham served - finely sliced by Michele Linsalatathe owner of Sonne Sissach, in person. The scent of anticipation was already in the air - and soon after, the fine smoke of the Quai d'Orsay Senadores Edición Limitada 2019.

A relaxed start in a stylish ambience - cigar lovers toast with a glass of Prosecco and enjoy the first conversations of the evening.

Excited, but cool 😅

Vasilij caused hilarity right from the start: he charmingly blabbed twice - first when he said that the brand name Quay d'Orsay according to a Paris Bridge named (in reality it is a Uferstrasse). And a little later, while explaining the tasting sheet, he confidently announced that the Number 1 was the best rating - realized it at the same moment and corrected himself laughing: Of course the 1 the worst grade. Excited, but cool. 😅

Vasilij Ratej caused hilarity right at the start: he charmingly blabbed and explained that Quay d'Orsay was named after a Parisian bridge - in fact, it is a riverside road. 😅

When explaining the tasting sheet, Vasilij Ratej confidently announced that the number 1 was the best score - he realized it at the same moment and laughingly corrected himself: Of course the 1 is the worst score. 😅

Knowledge served up in small bites: making the Sonne Sissach gourmet evening an unforgettable event

At intervals of about ten minutes each, alternating Claudia and Vasilij everything about the brand Quay d'Orsay - about the special features of Cuban cigar boxes in the Limitadasthat Age of the tobaccos used and the reason why Cuban cigars matured should be.

The guests asked interested questions, shared their own observations and experiences - and turned the evening into a lively round of enjoyment full of exchange and humor.

Claudia Puszkar inspired the audience with her expertise - her historical insights into the Quay d'Orsay brand combined knowledge, charm and wit.

Vasilij Ratej led through the evening with passion - informative, lively and always with a cigar in his hand.

An evening of enjoyment and conversation - in the atmospheric vaulted cellar of the Sonne Sissach, cigars, culinary delights and history came together to form a harmonious whole.

Vasilij Ratej personally handed each guest a cigar - a moment of appreciation that heralded the start of an enjoyable evening.

The Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 - carefully inspected before it is lit. A moment of anticipation that marks the beginning of a special pleasure experience.

All set for enjoyment: the napkin in the background - artfully folded by the apprentice - symbolizes the rays of the Sissach sun. A lovely detail with meaning.

A journey through history - with Claudia Puszkar

At the gourmet evening in Sonne Sissach Special guest Claudia Puszkar on a fascinating journey through the history of Quai d'Orsay - well-founded, lively and with that charm that makes even dry facts shine. You know her from the Zigarren.Zone film documentaries - but experiencing her live is in a class of its own.

With concentration and curiosity: the fragrance of the Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 is carefully examined - the beginning of a sensory journey through aromas and history.

Concentrated and precise: The first impressions of the Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 are carefully noted on the aroma wheel - with Zigarren.Zone and Origin Of Cigar's own tasting tool, bilingual in English and German.

Concentrated and precise: the first impressions of the cigar are carefully noted on the aroma wheel - with Zigarren.Zone and Origin Of Cigar's own tasting tool, bilingual in English and German.

While Claudia talked about brand myths and political turning points, the Wine accompaniment from the Sonne cellar for flavorful magic:

Despacito ChardonnayPaladin family - Tuscany, Lombardy, Veneto
Little Mafalda Magnum 2020Christie Wines - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franc & Tinta Roriz

One glass, one puff - and you were already in the middle of another world.

Tranquillity, concentration and enjoyment - the Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 unfolds its aromas. A moment of pause in which time seems to stand still.

An evening with character - and humor

The guests discussed the aromas, structure and character of the Quay d'Orsay Edición Limitada 2019 with passion and humor - every puff a topic of conversation.

The two online cigar magazines Cigars.zone (since 2014) and Origin Of Cigar (from 01.01.2026) are under the creative direction of Vasilij Ratejwho runs both with passion and a flair for authentic stories. While Zigarren.Zone sheds light on the entire world of premium cigars, the Origin Of Cigar exclusively the Cuban cigar history - carefully curated by Claudia Puszkar and Vasilij Ratej.

At the Sonne Sissach gourmet evening, the host Michele Linsalata and his team provided the perfect setting - attentive, cordial and always professional. Special mention must be made of Daniel from the Sonne Sissach, who was at our disposal throughout the evening; he looked after us with humor, professional competence and a charming calmness that is rarely experienced.

Michele Linsalata from Hotel Restaurant Sonne Sissach explains the menu with passion - together with his wife, he also runs the company ML Design in Sissach, which specializes in exclusive high-end bathroom furnishings.

Incidentally, Sun Club membership is not for everyone. You need two guarantors - and Humor. I actually managed to get in. My entrance test? A cigar blind taste - with blindfolded! I had to guess the brand. And yes - somehow I passed. I still don't know how. I have neither humor nor clairvoyant abilities 😉

Enjoyment, amazement, conversations

While the autumn wind blew through the alleyways outside, we sat in the warm light of the cellar vault - accompanied by soft music, a glass of red and white wine and the spicy aroma of Cuban cigars.

Claudia spoke with wit The fascinating history of the Quay d'Orsay, the participants asked questions, which she answered knowledgeably. I myself explained why it's so important to always use the right spice for Cuban specialties. outer carton and proof of purchase not only for collectors, but also for historical authenticity.

Suddenly, one participant shouted with a laugh: "Couldn't you have told me that 20 years ago?" A sentence that caused loud laughter - and wonderfully captured the mood of the evening: warm, relaxed and full of enjoyment. That's how it was on the evening of pleasure in Sonne Sissach, relaxed and simply beautiful.

Claudia Puszkar explains how long the tobacco ferments and rests in Cuba before an Edición Limitada is rolled - with fascinating background knowledge and palpable enthusiasm.

A quiet moment of enjoyment - the cigar rests in your hand, the smoke in the room, your thoughts on the last puff.

Vasilij Ratej explains why it is crucial to always keep the outer carton and proof of purchase for Cuban specialties - a contribution to the authenticity and history of each individual box.

The menu we were served was simply excellent:

From the velvety Cream of pumpkin soup about the fine Tagliolini with truffle until Entrecôte with whiskey sauceaccompanied by Polenta and gorgonzola espuma - Every course was a small experience. The Plum sorbet brought a fruity freshness, before concluding with the Cheese selection by Rolf Beeler rounded off the evening in style.

Finely seasoned and elegantly served: the cream of pumpkin soup - a warm, velvety prelude that set the perfect mood for an enjoyable evening.

Admittedly: We had to wait a little while for the starter - something had obviously got mixed up in the kitchen. But nobody took it amiss. On the contrary: we used the time for stimulating conversations, laughed a lot and enjoyed the atmosphere. When the tagliolini with truffles was finally served, everything was forgotten - because It was perfect. The gourmet evening in Sonne Sissach was far from over.

Homemade tagliolini with fine truffle - simple, fragrant and masterfully prepared. A course that perfectly combined elegance and flavor.

Entrecôte with whiskey sauce, accompanied by polenta and gorgonzola espuma - a hearty main course, harmoniously balanced and perfectly cooked.

Plum sorbet with a hint of cigar - creatively served, humorously staged by our photographer Christian Schmid and a sweet finish that perfectly complemented the evening.

An exquisite selection of cheeses from Rolf Beeler - finely balanced, aromatically matured and the ideal conclusion to an evening full of enjoyment and conversation.

What do the participants say?

An evening where enjoyment, knowledge and conviviality became one at the Sonne Sissach gourmet evening. The guests said on their way out and afterwards via email and WhatsApp:

"This is how every tavolata should end - with smoke, red wine and a big smile."

"A big thank you to you, Claudia and Michele, not forgetting Christian of course, for this successful evening at Freunden🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 For me, these are always little rays of hope that become visible through the brightness of a cigar glow."

"What an evening! Most of us didn't know each other beforehand, but with good food, fine cigars and conversations full of passion and knowledge, we bonded immediately. We laughed, discussed and enjoyed an unforgettable evening full of warmth."