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Cigar: Villiger 1888 Binder: Dominican
Filler:Central America and the Caribbeans Wrapper: Ecuadoran Connecticut Shade
Origin: Dominican Republic Strength: Medium Body
 The Villiger 1888, pronounced fillicher, is the very first premium, long filler, hand rolled cigar ever produced by Villiger and Sons. They are known for their machine rolled cigars, based on their philosophy, that short filler, which contains chopped filler, can be produced mechanically and therefore give you a more even flavor. The Villiger 1888 was the first time they had branched away from that philosophy, and with high expectations from the cigar world. This was released for their 120th Anniversary. It was produced in the following sizes, Perla 4 inch x 40 ring gauge, Corona 6 x 43, Short Robusto 4 x 50, Robusto 4 ¾ x 50 and Torpedo 6 x 52.
Villiger and Sons, which began as just Villiger Cigars, was founded by Jean Villiger in 1888. He and his wife, Louise Villiger, started manufacturing their cigars out of their home in Switzerland. Even after her husband’s death in 1902, Louise Villger took the reins of the company and continued the dream and legacy that she and her husband began. The company expanded and opened its first branch in Waldshut-Tiengen in southern Germany in 1910.It was, and has been, her determination that continues to set the tone for the company and its success. Villiger and Sons remains in the family even to today. The current owner is Heinrich Villiger. He is third generation and owns the companies in Switzerland, Indonesia and Germany. One of Heinrich's daughters, Corina Villiger, is fourth generation, and serves on the board. In 1995, Heinrich returned to the beginning of the cigar culture. He joined forces with Cuban business partners to exclusively import and sell Habanos in Germany. Beholding to the belief that cigars come from all over the world. In fact, Germany and Switzerland process five percent of the world’s tobacco. In this particular cigar, it was originally made with thirty percent Cuban tobacco. It was then re-blended for the American market.
The Villiger 1888 is made with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper that is almost flawless, with a satiny feel to it. It is a medium brown color with only minimal veins. The pre-light has an aroma of sweet spices and hay. Once lit, it immediately produces a fair amount of smoke. In the first third, the blend of the Central American and Caribbean filler with the Dominican binder bring out sweet floral notes, with cinnamon and nutmeg in the background. At this point, the burn is handling itself quite well, and there is no need for correction. This cigar moved smoothly into the second third without much change in either flavor, or experience. Between the burn and the flavors, everything remained consistent. In the final third, the floral notes and spices remained in the foreground, with hints of cedar coming through. The burn and draw remained flawless.
The Villiger 1888 is another shining example of the innovation that Villiger and Sons demands when it comes to their cigars. They continue to sell over 600 million cigars and cigarillos yearly. The production of the anniversary cigar was personally overseen by Heinrich Villiger. He is known for his impeccable knowledge of the tobacco leaf, as well as the manufacturing of cigars. Enjoying this cigar means enjoying a cigar that spans decades of tobacco knowledge. This knowledge covers the globe to bring you the best of the best. After all, this cigar has quite literally been in the making for 120 years.
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