June
The first Casa Del Habano in French-speaking Switzerland
We are delighted and honored to announce the opening of "La Casa Del Habano-Nyon". For us, this represents a turning point in the development of our family business. As aloyal partner of Intertabak AG, the importer of the famous Habanos cigars, our group now has the privilege of carrying the exclusive title of "La Casa Del Habano" in French-speaking Switzerland. This label was awarded to us by the franchise director himself, Mr. Jorge Pérez Martel, on the kind recommendation of Mr. Tony Hoevenaars, Habanos Switzerland Sales Manager.
The Casa del Habano is a prestigious international network of boutiques franchised by Habanos S.A. This quality label offers spaces entirely dedicated to top-of-the-range Cuban cigars, to the delight of puro enthusiasts. There are currently over 140 casas on five continents around the world. Our boutique on the shores of Lake Geneva in the charming town of Nyon is the first of its kind in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. What distinguishes a Casa Del Habano from other specialized boutiques is the exclusive range of Cuban products that are carefully preserved. We receive the entire range of Habanos products on a worldwide priority basis, and are directly supplied by the official importer: Intertabak A.G.
The opening of "La Casa Del Habano -Nyon" represents the culmination of the work begun by my parents in 1978. Indeed, it was they who provided the stable foundations for the long-term development of our family business. Now, for over twenty years, I have held the reins of a legacy to which I have devoted myself body and soul, dedicating all my passion and tenacity to each and every project that has been undertaken. Today, we have the honor of inaugurating our new boutique as I celebrate my 50th birthday, the same day my son Alix turns 10. Part of me can't help but see it as something more than mere coincidence. Perhaps it was precisely at this symbolic moment that this event, which will go down in our company's history like a jewel, was meant to take place. One thing is certain, my family is delighted with this new addition to the edifice, which will enable us to look to the future with the desire to achieve beautiful things to continue to honour this art of living which is exalted around premium cigars".
For this project, we have assembled a team of passionate experts, some with over 40 years' experience in this luxury sector. It's an honor for us to dedicate our know-how and passion to hedonistic customers every day, by promoting Cuban heritage and its legendary cigars. Offering a unique service, we combine enthusiasm and a thirst for sharing in a vocation to which we are entirely devoted. Our philosophy combines with the essence of the values transmitted by the Habanos brand, to create an exceptional atmosphere in a refined venue devoted entirely to Havana cigars. In addition to our selection of premium cigars, we offer a vast collection of spirits, meticulously selected by our specialist. With over 25 years' experience at the highest level, this consultant is sure to delight not only connoisseurs, but also those who are simply curious and fond of rarities.
Let yourself be enchanted by this extraordinary space. With us, Cuba will reveal itself to you without compromise...
A lifelong dream, a family legacy
"I accompanied my mother on my first trip to Cuba in 1995. It was the beginning of a great love affair. Cuba, Havana, Pinard el Rio, Trinidad or San Juan Y martinez are, for my family, places full of history, images and encounters. It's with great emotion that I remember the magical day I flew over Havana for the first time. We were accompanied by a group of Swiss retailers, among the best professionals in our country. I'll never forget the visions I saw through the plane's window as we approached the airport's bumpy runway.
When we stepped off the plane, the Cuban atmosphere hit us hard: the heat, the humidity, the smells, the atmosphere... This was the Caribbean! What can I say? Itt was Cuba!
My heart warms at the thought of that wonderful time, filled with discoveries, opportunities, exchanges, friendships and sharing with this extraordinary people.
My family has worked hard, generation after generation, to fully honor this land blessed by the tobacco gods. Indeed, the close ties we have forged with the exclusive importer of Cuban cigars for Switzerland are a testament to our family values, the respect and passion we bestow on our profession and, above all, on these marvellous Cuban puros.
And so, the story continues, the links are forged and grow stronger. Today, we celebrate the birth of a long-term project... The opening of La Casa Del Habano - Nyon. This boutique is located on the shores of Lac Léman in the charming little town of Nyon, dominated by the benevolent gaze of Mont-Blanc overlooking the lake. For us, it was the next logical step, one that we had hoped for and achieved in record time. The result lives up to my expectations: magnificent, luxurious without being ostentatious, the location ideally located, next to our historic and emblematic cigar boutique, which has been established at this address for over 40 years.
As a result, our family-run group is the first and only to offer such a comprehensive concept throughout Switzerland. Our 22 employees work hard every day to ensure that our customers all over the world are satisfied with the choice, quality and service that live up to the reputation we have built up over the past decades. The cardinal values that have built our reputation beyond our borders will remain our guiding principle at all times.
"La Casa del Habano - Nyon" is a dream come true on May 24, 2021. A dream carried by our Family for many, many years, and today, by all our employees. "
Alexis Aazam Zanganeh, Director of La Couronne S.A. and founder of La Casa Del Habano - Nyon
Alexis Aazam Zanganeh with her parents, Fereidoun - Ali Ashraf Aazam Zanganeh and Hélène Plüss - Aazam Zanganeh, in front of "La Casa Del Habano - Nyon", June 2021
Habanos, a worldwide project to promote authentic Cuban cigars
In 1990, the first Casa Del Habano was established in Cancun, Mexico. The aim was to enable the coveted Havana cigars to be represented and promoted on a global scale, while at the same time promoting Cuban heritage in its own right.
Since the beginning of its history, the Cuban cigar has been subject to counterfeiting, which is one of the many reasons why the Habanos label brings together all Cuban brands. The nomenclature was designed to standardize and certify the provenance of Cuban puros, thanks to this title equivalent to an appellation d'origine contrôlée. The Habanos brand selects a single importer for each country, and so it was in 1995 that Intertabak A.G. was established as the sole authorized exclusive distributor in Switzerland. Today, our company celebrates the close relationship we have maintained with our importer from the outset, recognizing the privilege we have now been granted by the Swiss government. Habanos S.A.
As of March 2021, Mr. Jorge Pérez Martel has been appointed the new manager of the "La Casa Del Habano" franchise. The position was awarded to him directly by Cuba's Ministry of Agriculture, succeeding Nestor Valera Callaba who had previously held the post.
Since his early days at Habanos, Mr. Jorge Pérez Martel has held a number of important positions within the company. He was already present at the development of the first Casa Del Habano in Cancún in 1990. At the time, Mr. Pérez held the position of Commercial Director, responsible for the import-export of Puros y Tabacos for the Caribbean Cigars Corp.
His innovative and strategic vision has been instrumental in the creation and international development of the "La Casa Del Habano" franchise. In this way, Mr. Pérez Martel has always successfully fulfilled his various positions, and today boasts over 40 years' experience in the Habanos business.
We are honored to be awarded the "La Casa Del Habano" franchise with the blessing of Mr. Jorge Pérez Martel, under the gracious recommendation of Mr. Tony Hoevenaars, General Manager of Habanos Switzerland sales at Intertabak A.G.
Fidel Casrto with Mr. Levy (Director and founder of the company Intertabak A.G.) on the cover of the Opciones newspaper in February 1999, during the Habanos Festival, an edition dedicated to the historic auctions of that year.
Press clipping, P.7. Opciones newspaper, February 1999. Description of the historic auction held during the Habanos Festival, during which an exceptional Humidor Cohiba was sold for $250,000. A pioneering event, promising a rich future for the Cuban cigar market. Profits from the sale were directly reinvested in the development of Cuba's public health sector. This demonstrates the fundamental link between cigar heritage and the development of the island's market itself.
