New lines and mature tobacco: Salvatore Schaffner on Valentino Siesto & Crowned Heads
„Hello everyone, my name is Salvatore Schaffner and I represent the importer Uniportis with the brands Crowned Heads from Nicaragua and Valentino Siesto from the Dominican Republic.“ Uniportis stands for two worlds: Crowned Heads, a young brand with Nicaraguan roots, and Valentino Siesto, a premium line with a Dominican character and a focus on matured tobaccos. „The Feria del Tabaco has only just begun,“ says Salvatore. „I had maybe five or six visitors to the stand today - but if it goes like last year, I'm sure it will be around 200 again. 150 to 250 have been announced this year - I'm hoping for 250, of course.“
Table of contents
10 years Feria del Tabaco - pleasure meets passion
A unique in-house exhibition in Zurich: MANUEL'S brings together cigar importers, manufacturers and aficionados for an enjoyable meeting of a special kind. For ten years now, the Feria del Tabaco cigar lovers come together in Zurich. What once began as a small in-house exhibition is now a fixed date in the calendar of the Swiss cigar scene. Numerous importers present their exclusive cigars, accessories and new products. For two days, the city is transformed into MANUEL'S into a lively forum of enjoyment: talks, tastings, innovations and encounters - all centred around the cigar. An anniversary that is not only celebrated, but savoured.
Salvatore Schaffner - He greets the cigar lovers at the Uniportis AG stand in the best of moods.
Valentino Siesto Nero - the new line
Salvatore is particularly proud of the new Valentino Siesto Nero Black. „It came onto the market two months ago - a medium-bodied, very aromatic cigar. Produced with Tobacco matured for three years. Valentino Siesto was traditionally known for blends with Tobacco matured for six years, But the new Nero line is a breath of fresh air: there are now two variants, the Nero Black and the upcoming Nero Connecticut, both with three-year-old tobacco. This makes the line a little more accessible, but the quality and character remain unchanged.“
Crowned Heads - handcrafted variety from Nicaragua
In addition to Valentino Siesto, Unipotis also presents Crowned Heads. „This cigar brand was founded in 2011,“ explains Salvatore. „The founders had previously worked in well-known cigar manufacturers and fulfilled their dream with Crowned Heads.“ A highlight at the stand is the line Le Pâtissier„A beautifully balanced blend that perfectly reflects the signature of the house.“
A start with pleasure
When asked for a closing statement, Salvatore laughs: „It's difficult to make a closing statement, as the fair has only just begun. But I'll just say: Enjoy your time smoking!“
These were the exhibitors at the Feria del Tabaco 2025
Exhibitors have their say at Feria del Tabaco 2025: Click here for the portraits
Top row, from left to right: Manuel Fröhlich (Manuel's), Stefano Nett (Compañía de Tabacos), Carlos Andrés (Cigarmundi), Dirk Behrendt (Hartl Premium Tobacco), Matthieu Rebjock (Oettinger Davidoff), Toni Galatti (Intertabak)
Bottom row, from left to right: Lajos Horváth (ImpCor), Dominik Mezzomo (The Royal Cigar Company), Yoel Portuondo (La Flo de Portuondo), Salvatore Schaffner (Uniportis).
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