Smoke signals, culinary delights and fabulous myths: a spectacular blind tasting at the Cigarren Club Sonne Sissach!
What an evening, what a journey of indulgence! Expectations were high and the anticipation palpable when the Cigarren Club Sonne Sissach hosted an exclusive blind tasting. Although four of the 20 connoisseurs who had originally registered had to think longingly of the club evening from the comfort of their own homes, the remaining 16 chosen guests experienced an event of the very highest calibre. Vasilij Ratej – editor of Zigarren.Zone – guided the attendees through the programme. Which cigar was tasted, and how did it go down?
The calm before the storm of indulgence: In the venerable cellars of Sonne Sissach, everything is ready for a blind tasting of the very highest standard.
Pleasure at the very highest level: First impressions of the cigar are thoroughly positive – the aroma delights aficionados right from the start.
Experience the art of craftsmanship: Right from the moment you first touch it, the Toro impresses with its superb build quality and luxurious feel.
Aperitif to kick things off & a glimpse into the cellar sanctuary
The event kicked off in the atmospheric outdoor area of the wonderful Sonne Sissach. Over fine wines and lively conversation, guests enjoyed the evening’s last rays of sunshine before heading down into the legendary cellars. In the impressive club rooms, the object of desire was already waiting for the aficionados: a flawless Toro cigar with a breathtaking, chocolate-coloured wrapper. A treat for the eyes and the touch, even before the first match was lit!
Roll film: The Experiment
No sooner had the first cigars lit up and got off to a flying start than the first audiovisual highlight followed. Together, we watched my 12-minute documentary film „Blind Tasting – The Experiment“
👉 If you don’t have a YouTube channel, Please click here to watch the film without needing an account, or please click on the photo below to go to YouTube.
The participants were absolutely thrilled: through the experiences of two protagonists, the film powerfully illustrates just how differently one and the same cigar can be experienced – once whilst blindfolded and once without a blindfold. A fascinating lesson in sensory perception!
A four-course feast in a class of its own
As the cigar unfolded, the kitchen at Sonne Sissach really pulled out all the stops. Each course complemented the cigar’s flavour profile perfectly, like a tailor-made velvet glove:
- The opening: Exquisitely delicate Beef tartare with a fried quail’s egg on homemade brioche – an absolute culinary delight that harmonised beautifully with the first hint of smokiness.
- Harmony: A velvety Cream of pumpkin soup, whose light, natural sweetness brilliantly complemented the cigar’s subtle sweetness.
- The finale: Tender Pork fillet in pastry on a bed of colourful ratatouille, followed by the legendary, room-filling Sissach’s ‘Sun’ Cheese Platter.
Whilst the plates were being cleared away, the cigar shone right down to the very last centimetre: it burnt perfectly straight, the ash held firm as a rock, and the flavour was thoroughly impressive.
A culinary dream: The magnificent pork fillet en croute served on a bed of ratatouille – a fantastic finale before the famous cheese platter at Sonne Sissach. (Where are the photos of the tartare, the soup and the cheese? Well, caught up in all the enjoyment, puffing on cigars and talking shop, I completely forgot to take any photos. That evening, savouring the food clearly took precedence over snapping pictures!)
The Great Speculation & the Unveiling of the Mystery
Experience the art of craftsmanship: Right from the moment you first touch it, the Toro impresses with its superb build quality and luxurious feel.
Once the cigars had finally been put out in the ashtray, the guessing game began. When asked how much this fine cigar might cost, the connoisseurs unanimously estimated its price at CHF 14 to CHF 22.
Then came the big reveal, and the shocked expressions gave way to incredulous amazement:
The cigar costs just CHF 9.20!
The ‘Blind-Smoke’ was the brand-new ZINO Honduras Toro.
Even Domenico Scala, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Oettinger Davidoff and a valued club member, had no idea until that very moment what he had just been enjoying. This is outstanding proof of just how unbiased and honest a genuine blind tasting really is!
Thighs and club secrets
Packed with expert knowledge on tobacco, fermentation and the art of rolling, the club’s most important credo was, of course, not overlooked: Humour without limits!
Expertise meets guesswork: The club members were engaged in a lively discussion. Nobody had any idea how close the unveiling of the new ZINO Honduras Toro was!
When one member casually asked the age-old ‘Myth’ question about what all the fuss was about with experienced female cigar rollers rolling cigars on their thighs, there was no stopping it. I wasn’t about to pass up such a golden opportunity; without further ado, I hoisted my own thigh onto the table and demonstrated the technique first-hand. The crucial pro tip for summer smokers, amidst the frenetic laughter of the entire room: „If you’re wearing shorts, you really must shave the crease beforehand – otherwise you’ll end up with hair in your cigar!“
How do you join this group?
Membership is exclusive: only on the recommendation of an existing member may you attend one of the club’s unforgettable evenings as a guest – and then decide whether you would like to become part of this passionate community of connoisseurs.
Conclusion: A spectacular, unforgettable evening full of laughter, culinary highlights, fantastic company and a cigar that will be the talk of the town for a long time to come!
Quality that impresses: An even burn and perfectly compact ash – the ZINO Honduras Toro shines right down to the very last puff.
The icing on the cake of a perfect evening:
No one had to go home empty-handed! Thanks to the generous support of Oettinger Davidoff Every aficionado also received another one as a gift for their own cigar lounge. Many thanks for this fantastic smoke!
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.
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