[Elie Bleu interview] The famous house shares a few of its secrets

We were given the opportunity to conduct a very exclusive interview with Laurent Fuchs, CEO of the well-known cigar box maker Elie Bleu. The managing director shares a few of the company’s secrets with us…

Laurent Fuchs, CEO of Elie Bleu

Smoking > Who are you? // Introduce yourself to our readers in two sentences.

Laurent Fuchs > « I grew up in the refined world of perfumery (editor’s note: the Nina Ricci family on his mother’s side and Fragonard on his father’s). That taste for noble products stayed with me through my anthropology studies in Paris and my psychology studies at the London School of Economics. After university I decided to join my grandfather Robert Ricci, son of Nina Ricci, and spent twelve years learning the haute couture and perfumery trades alongside him. »

Smoking > When did you join the Elie Bleu adventure?

LF > « In 1998 I had the opportunity to take over as managing director of Elie Bleu, a high-end fancy-goods house that reflects French expertise in marquetry and cabinetmaking applied to the world of the cigar… »

Smoking > What sets Elie Bleu apart from other humidor makers?

LF > « Ours is the only brand that manufactures the boxes it sells. As a genuine designer and manufacturer, our signature lies as much in the style as in the production process.
What sets us apart from other humidor makers is our complete command of the fancy-goods trades. Our teams are made up of professionals with rare skills. Some of our talents have been with the company for more than 20 years and are true artists in their mastery of wood.
In 2009 we received the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, a mark of French excellence that we are not a little proud of. »

Smoking > In your view, what defines the ideal humidor?

LF > « Several criteria come into play when choosing a box.
The essential requirements are the humidifier and a perfectly airtight seal.
Cedar creates an environment suited to the maturing of the cigar. Naturally fragrant, it has the merit of keeping insects such as the lasioderme away (editor’s note: a small pest that is fond of cigars).
Our humidification system is a very natural one, using the best element there is, namely water.
For a knowledgeable owner, appreciation of a box begins with the eye, with the way the case itself is dressed. »

Smoking > Which model do you own personally?

LF > « I am particularly fond of the « Stars & Strippes » box from the « Drapeau » collection. On the one hand for the noble materials, which ensure natural humidification, and on the other for the symbol carried by the Cuban flag, an emblem of the island most closely associated with cigar production. »
Discover the Cuba humidor model on Smoking.fr!

Smoking > How do you see the future of the humidor? Connected humidors?

LF > « The traditional know-how of humidor making remains essential, but preserving the past is not an obligation.
It was for the 50th anniversary of Cohiba (originally a private brand intended for Fidel Castro) that Elie Bleu was the natural choice to make the 50 numbered boxes. For this small exceptional collection we designed a unique piece (the Habanos) and produced gold-leaf marquetry. The temperature-measuring and humidity-control systems in the boxes will communicate with their owners’ smartphones for complete command of the storage conditions. »

Smoking > Is there an anecdote you would like to share with us about Elie Bleu?

LF > « At the XVIIIth Festival del Habano in Cuba, in March 2016, the first box made for Cohiba’s 50th anniversary was sold at auction for €320,000. That makes the 50 cigars held in this exceptional cabinet the most expensive in the world. »
Interview and text by Marianne.