InterTabac Reflections: From Humidors to the Heritage of Rare Cigars โ Gran Reserva XO Supreme
- gpgrantswiss
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Interview with Marcus Steinmann, COO
G.P. Grant Group
InterTabac Exhibition, Dortmund, September 2025
At InterTabac 2025 in Dortmund, amid the curated aromas and quiet prestige of the worldโs finest ultra-premium cigar maisons, we sat down with Marcus Steinmann โ the visionary behind G.P. Grant. Known globally for handcrafted humidors, crystal ashtrays, and objets dโart, Steinmann has now led his brand into the sacred space of ultra-aged cigars. In this exclusive conversation, he reveals the philosophy behind Zaven, the secrets of long-term aging, and why Gran Reserva XO Suprema is not just a cigar โ but a time-honored statement.
Q: Is this the first time you are attending InterTabac 2025?
Marcus Steinmann:ย No, weโve been participating for more than 10 years. InterTabac has become a tradition for us โ a platform where innovation meets heritage.
Q: What were your expectations, and how satisfied were you with the trade show?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Every year we arrive with high expectations, and yet InterTabac always manages to exceed them. This year we witnessed an even broader international presence, with visitors bringing more refined palates and deeper curiosity. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the exchange of ideas reaffirmed our belief that our vision is resonating with retailers, distributors, and aficionados worldwide.
Q: Marcus, what are your impressions of InterTabac 2025?
Marcus Steinmann:ย InterTabac is the mirror of our industry. In 2025, I observed that the market has matured โ aficionados are no longer satisfied with a product alone; they seek a complete universe around it. This confirms our mission: to offer not just products but a cultural and sensory experience.ย We donโt simply produce aging cigars or accessories โ we cultivate a lifestyle.
Q: G.P.Grant is widely known for its exclusive accessories โ humidors, ashtrays, glasses, and jewelry. Why did you decide to venture into rare cigars?
Marcus Steinmann:ย From the beginning, G.P.Grant was never only about accessories. We envisioned a Maisonย of exclusivity and artistry, crafting a complete ritual of cigar culture. Our humidors and ashtrays embodied aesthetics and philosophy, but the natural progression was to create the cigar itself โ an expression equal to the level of refinement weโve always pursued. To achieve this, we entrusted our vision to the legendary Kelner family in the Dominican Republic, whose mastery ensures that Zaven is not just another brand but an extension of our ethos.
Q: Tell us about Zaven cigars. What makes them special?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Zaven is the culmination of our philosophy โ a cigar where every stage reflects uncompromising standards. Cultivated from selected Cuban-seed varietals in the Dominican Republic, the tobacco is aged for twelve years, undergoing multiple fermentations, and once rolled, each cigar rests for an additional five to seven years in carefully controlled environments. This rare process results in a cigar defined as much by time as by craftsmanship. It is one of the very few cigars in the world where both leaf and finished product are steeped in time, making Zaven truly unique.
Q: Marcus, you mentioned that after rolling, the cigars undergo 5โ7 years of aging. What specific conditions are cigars stored in aging room?
Marcus Steinmann:ย That is part of our savoir-faireย and remains a closely guarded secret. What I can say is that we employ a proprietary combination of chambers, climates, and humidity calibrations that allow the tobacco to evolve with extraordinary finesse. This is what transforms Zaven into a cigar defined not only by craftsmanship but by time itself.
Q: Why specifically Gran Reserva XO Supreme?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Because it represents the pinnacle. Traditionally, Gran Reserva refers to tobacco aged for five years. We chose to go beyond: XO โ Extra Old โ denotes twelve years of ultra-aging, complemented by an additional five to seven years of aging after rolling. Supreme signals that this is the ultimate interpretation of Gran Reserva. In many ways, the name is a declaration: Gran Reserva XO Supreme is our tribute to the art of patience.
Q: What flavor characteristics set Zaven apart from other cigars?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Zaven is not a cigar of aggression; it is a cigar of contemplation. Its flavor is silken and layered, developing progressively like a symphony where each note reveals itself in harmony. It is refined, balanced, and endlessly nuanced โ ideal for moments of meditation.
Q: Your products are always limited editions. Why is limiting production so important?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Exclusivity is in our DNA. Only a minute fraction of the harvest meets the standard required to bear the Zaven name. We work in micro-batches, each unique, never replicated. For collectors, this means every box is a singular moment in time โ unrepeatable and irreplaceable. Zaven is not merely a cigar; it is a collectible masterpiece.
Q: How do cigars fit into your brand, which is renowned for accessories?
Marcus Steinmann:ย It is the natural continuation. Our humidors, ashtrays, glasses, and objets dโartย have always embodied a philosophy of uncompromising exclusivity. Zaven completes the ritual โ it brings meaning to the objects we create.ย We donโt just make beautiful things; we build an immersive world around the cigar.
Q: Many renowned brands offer premium cigars, but few go to the lengths you do โ extended aging, limited batches, handcrafted precision. Why does G.P. Grant choose this path when others donโt?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Why us? Because we truly do what others canโt โ and wonโt.
Large brands, no matter how elegantly they speak about craftsmanship, are built on mass production. They simply donโt need โ and canโt afford โ to age tobacco for over a decade. It takes time, space, and a willingness to delay profit.
We, on the other hand, are a boutique family-owned company. Everything we create is produced in strictly limited quantities. This isnโt a marketing strategy โ itโs our philosophy.
Our business is not built on volume, but on a small circle of connoisseurs who value authenticity, rarity, and depth. We can afford to work slowly, precisely, and honestly โ because for us, tobacco is not a commodity. Itโs an art form.
Q: How do you envision the future of G.P.Grant? What markets are you presenting your aged cigars in now? What are the global perspectives?
Marcus Steinmann:ย Our mission is to keep pushing the boundaries of exclusivity. We will continue developing collectible series, refining aging techniques, and innovating with materials for accessories. Currently, our aged cigars are presented to selected club members in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with careful steps being taken toward the U.S. market. The global outlook is clear: G.P. Grant will always stand for the pinnacle โ artistry, rarity, and timeless exclusivity.
