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Interview with Valentino Siesto – From jewels to cigars

I have long been fascinated by Valentino Siesto cigars. Premium cigars at a good price that give you more than you pay for in my opinion.

Table of Contents

Becoming a jeweler is not the most common profession you hear about. What made you choose to become a jeweler?

“ When I was about 25 or 26, I worked for a jewelry company. That experience inspired me to start my own jewelry business”

I don’t remember where, but I read somewhere that you are from Italy. How come you moved to Dominican?

“ I moved to the Dominican Republic initially to sell jewelry, watches, and gemstones. Back in Italy, I owned jewelry stores, and I started exploring the Latin American market to bring my designs to a new audience”

How did your interest in cigars start?

“ When I moved to the Dominican Republic, all my friends and contacts there were into drinking and smoking. At that time, I did neither. To socialize, I decided to pick one, and I chose smoking. From there, I became passionate about cigars, exploring the craft and learning about tobacco farming and production, which fascinated me as a ritual”

Do you still work with  jewellery?

“No”

Your passion as a jeweler and jewelry design, how has that been reflected in your blends? Both are incredibly creative professions.

“My experience in jewelry design significantly influenced the creativity and branding of Valentino Siesto, particularly in designing our cigar bands and packaging”

When you started Valentino Siesto, did you feel something was missing in the market or was it a dream to start your own brand?

“When I decided to create my brand, I wanted to make something unique. My goal was to create a cigar that would reflect my palate and stand out in the market. After visiting factories and collaborating with our Master Blender, I found the perfect formula. The result was a cigar with a flavor profile that is rare to find elsewhere, which marked the beginning of Valentino Siesto”

Is there anything in the manufacturing process that you find particularly interesting?

“The curing and aging process is what I find most intriguing, as it holds the key to the quality and character of our cigars”

When you create new blends, what do you have in mind? Do you go after your own palete or is it the consumer’s taste buds that come first?

“I prioritize my palate when crafting a blend. If I don’t like it, it doesn’t go to market. Interestingly, my taste aligns with the preferences of the niche we serve”

Do you have plans to open more lounges?

Yes, we plan to open two more lounges by 2026—one in the Dominican Republic and another in the United States.

It says in some previous interview that you chose either cigars or drinks when you came to the Dominican Republic. Is it still the same way? I rarely have a drink myself and have found my passion in cigars. If you were to pair a cigar with a non-alcoholic beverage other than water or coffee, is there one you would recommend?

“I rarely drink and remain passionate about cigars. For pairing with a non-alcoholic drink, I’d recommend black tea”

Why do you think the community is more open than other communities? Ask a person what they drink, they will think you want a date, ask a person what they smoke and the chances are that you will make new acquaintances.

“The cigar community is filled with passionate individuals. Smoking cigars is not for everyone, so when two enthusiasts meet, it creates a natural bond, often leading to friendships, business opportunities, and more”

Your best advice for the cigar smoker?

“Choose quality cigars. Don’t smoke just for the sake of it. Be selective because cigar smoking is an art and an experience”

What is your best advice for someone who wants to follow their dreams?

“Persevere in what you are passionate about and never give up. Success comes through persistence and consistency”

When I look at Valentino Siesto it is premium that you convey and you can feel it when you smoke your cigars. To be honest, even though it is a premium cigar, I find them quite cheap compared to other cigars and brands in the premium segment compared to what you get as a consumer.

“We invest minimally in advertising to avoid inflating our cigar prices. This allows us to provide high-quality cigars at accessible prices”

When you put the price, it feels like you want to give more than you get. What are the thoughts when you set the price?

“When setting prices, we focus on respecting the smoker. Our goal is to offer a premium experience without overcharging, making quality cigars more accessible to enthusiasts”

I would like to thank you Valentino for taking the time for this interview. It was an honor to write about Valentino Siesto cigars. I have long believed that Valentino cigars give more than what you pay for and to share the story is a great joy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you Julio for helping me make this article possible.

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