By: Lindsay Heller, Lead Merchant

Sometimes one’s humor can get lost in translation, which is what I feared when speaking with Sébastien Decoppet. The Swiss-born, trilingual boutique brand owner of Cavalier Genève, however, did not disappoint. I matter-of-factly asked him to describe his brand using only three adjectives, and he simply stated, “Classic, modern, bipolar”. Like his cigars, this conversation was going to be a unique experience.

Having burst onto the scene in 2016, Cavalier Genève is still a relatively young brand by industry standards, but it’s figured out how to make waves and leave lasting impressions. The 24K gold leaf diamond which sits just below each cigar’s band is their calling card: keenly aware that a memorable symbol is the best way to overcome barriers and leave an impression, Decoppet’s wife designed the concept that sets their cigars apart from others on the shelf. But how does a young man from Geneva, Switzerland end up in Danlí, Honduras? 

“You Need to Pay to Play”

If you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting Geneva, it’s many things: a global city, financial and diplomatic epicenter, historical and cultural mecca, and home to a varied landscape of mountains and bodies of water. Geneva is also the birthplace of Zino Davidoff and his namesake brand, known globally as a symbol of high quality, elegance, and white glove service. Time spent in the original Davidoff store and lounge had a profound impact on a 20-year-old Sébastien, and he credits this experience as the reason why he went on to become a cigar enthusiast. 

Having developed an interest in handmade cigars that he describes as “theoretical,” Decoppet wasn’t yet certain if there was more to this captivating hobby for him. Reading books and talking to whomever he could find with expertise came to be consuming, leading him to the life-changing decision of traveling throughout Central America and the Caribbean to develop a deeper understanding of this time-honored craft. Having sold his car and other possessions, and quitting his job, Sébastien bought a one-way plane ticket, knowing he had to “pay to play” one might say. Eventually traversing through Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, learning about processing, manufacturing, blending, branding, and factory operations, Sébastien landed in Honduras first. He was received so openly by some industry personnel that he spent nearly a year in Honduras alone, most notably under the tutelage of Adin Pérez. Decoppet had to overcome cultural differences and even a language barrier, learning Spanish to better be able to learn from those willing to teach him. 

“We are Proudly Made in Honduras”

Given the warm reception and the fundamental time spent in Honduras, it should come as no surprise that Sébastien Decoppet planted his cigar roots there. He felt at home in Danlí, stating that “it is a great place to be at, to work out of a country that marked the modern history of the cigar industry,” and rightfully points out that for his business, it “might be a little less crowded than other places such as Nicaragua”. He’s got a lot of love for his adopted country, and alongside his wife, Eylin, they proudly proclaim their love for the land.

Not every cigar maker decides to open their own factory, but Decoppet felt that it was the right move for Cavalier Genève. His Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco SA or “FCT” for short, has 22 pairs of rollers crafting their boutique blends. “I never work alone. We always work as a team,” said Sébastien, stating that while people come and go from his inner circle, his work is always collaborative. Alongside General Manager Raúl and Production Manager Fofo, Decoppet’s wife champions the creative side to their output.

“Always Offer the Best”

While Cavalier befits their boutique moniker quite nicely, I was generously curious as to its future plans. It’s not uncommon for brand owners to get the itch to expand, but just like starting your own company and owning a cigar factory, moving outside of an established comfort zone presents a few major risks and challenges. “Part of our philosophy is to have control over what we do and create to ensure that we always offer the best version of what Cavalier is,” Decoppet states proudly. While he has plans to grow the core portfolio, he believes there truly needs to be reasoning behind new releases. “It has to carry a message, have a deeper reason, or be something really extraordinary on its own. I can’t see us push products out simply to fill ‘commercial’ gaps in our portfolio,” said Sébastien.

I never turn down the chance to ask an owner or a blender about tobacco preferences or desires because it gives me deeper insight into their personal palates. Decoppet keeps this information close to his chest, however, broadly stating that his team has been experimenting but nothing yet has been worthy of an official release to market. Taking to heart his mentor’s words, Sébastien abides by his advice of always learning from those around you. With such an open approach, I’m personally eager to see new releases from Cavalier and sensorially explore Decoppet’s growth as a blender.

“Express Yourself Without Boundaries”

If it’s one thing the 21st century proved to this industry, it’s that you don’t need to be from Latin America or be descended from a tobacco legacy family to make it in this business. Sébastien acknowledges the downsides, however, eloquently stating that, “you have to prove that you are here for the right reasons and that you are here to stay. It has a cost, which is time and consistency. But the upsides... You can disrupt, you can play along, it’s up to you. You are free to pick your battles and express yourself without boundaries. You have a certain sense of freedom.”

Sitting back with a chilled, grain-based vodka, you’d be likely to find Decoppet enjoying one of his blends in either a Corona Gorda or classic Toro vitola. He’s active on social media, and he’s openly grateful as well, always taking the time to interact with posts. If you tag him in your photo or video, he’s often likely to repost, personally thanking you for enjoying his cigars and letting the internet know you’re enjoying them. Knowing how precious time is these days, speaking on behalf of the Cavalier Genève team, Sébastien believes that it’s important to acknowledge the efforts of fellow enthusiasts: it’s all a part of his philosophy of ensuring his brand sparks lasting memories.