There were no cigars yet when three Swiss Confederates met on the Rütli and pledged allegiance to each other at the founding of the Old Swiss Confederacy over 700 years ago. However, nothing could have been more fitting than to seal the oath with the enjoyment of a VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME.

Today, the VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME is a Swiss national treasure – not to mention its popularity with young and old alike.

03.45 a.m. – savouring and smoking

Long before dawn, the passionate amateur fisherman Joel sits by the lake with his fishing rod. He enjoys the silence. With relish, he draws on a VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. He can unwind wonderfully while fishing and puffing. He lets his thoughts wander and allows them to be carried away by the clouds of smoke from his KRUMMEN. Luck is on his side this first August morning because he catches two magnificent European perch, which he will then smoke at home ...

05.30 a.m. – the day dawns

Stephan enjoys experiencing the dawning day on the terrace. The chirping of individual birds begins and gradually builds up to a full-fledged concert. On tough days at work, it is the calm before the storm for Stephan. But today, it is the calm before a convivial holiday. Stephan is sipping his coffee when his neighbour Joel comes home. In one hand, the fishing rod, in the other, the catch of the day – and a KRUMME between his lips. “I’d love to puff one of those now,” Stephan greets the successful fisherman. Joel doesn’t have to be asked twice and hands him his last VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. Stephan lights it and watches the smoke drifting away towards the mountains ...

10.15 a.m. – wine and living

Up in the mountains, Corinne and her André have just arrived at the Marienhöhe above the Rütli. They are enjoying the view over Lake Lucerne and down into the Alps. After completing the two-hour hike from the Bauen boat station to Marienhöhe, the two have earned a break. Although they have not yet reached the highest – albeit the most fitting – point of their route, Corinne expertly uncorks and pours mountain wine for herself and her husband. Meanwhile, he has pulled out two VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. The two make a celebratory toast and gaze down at the lake ...

10.45 a.m. – a refreshing dip

Down at the lake, Manuela, Nicole, Astrid, and Esther just took a refreshing dip in the lake. Exhausted from swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lake, they lie down on their beach towels to dry off. Astrid whips out a yellow box from her backpack. She opens the box and hands her friends a VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. They accept it gratefully and lie back watching the steamship that makes a stop here on its round trip from Lucerne ...

11.15 a.m. – three of them braided together

At the stern of the ship, there sits Grandfather Fritz with his wife and their two grandchildren. The valiant retiree is not a smoker, but he regularly treats himself to a cigar. To celebrate the special day, he has packed two boxes of VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. When the grandson sees the grandfather offering one to his wife, the little one asks, “Granddad, granddad, why are these cigars crooked?” The grandfather picks up the full box and shows him the twisted bundles of three cigars. “These VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME are crooked because, according to the old Cuban tradition, they are braided together while they are still wet,” Fritz explains. “And why do people do that?” the boy wants to know. “Back in Cuba, that was a clever way to prevent them from being stolen” the passionate tobacco connoisseur explains. “And you know what?” he adds, “on August 1, there’s nothing more fitting than enjoying a VILLIGER ORIGINAL-KRUMME. After all, just as the three cigars are braided together, on August 1 we commemorate the three Confederates who met on the Rütli at that time, pledged allegiance to each other thus founding the Old Swiss Confederacy.” Then he stands up, takes the boy by the hand, and goes to the exit because they have reached the Rütli boat station.