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about the company

What is Bonche?

In this section, you will find information about the origins of our company, its key features, development, and values. We will share how it all began, the principles that guide our work, and what makes us unique
What is Bonche?
Product creation history
The development of the product began in the summer of 2018. We wanted to bring something new to the hookah tobacco segment and satisfy the tastes of true connoisseurs.

From the very beginning, we set the highest standards for the future product: even at the stage of raw material selection, we chose the best—cigar leaves from the Caribbean region. There, cigar tobaccos are grown and fermented following centuries-old traditions. These traditions are passed down from generation to generation, preserving the recipe of the highest quality, which is revered by the most discerning tobacco enthusiasts worldwide. The blend that would serve as the foundation for the product was carefully crafted with the support of professionals from the cigar industry—it meets all the standards for the leaf blend of the highest-class cigars.

The next task was the development of the preparation technology. We had to fully capture the bouquet of noble cigar leaf aromas in the finished product, while also achieving perfect adaptation and the necessary thermal properties for smoking tobacco through a hookah.

The first trials were promising. However, the bar set at the very beginning didn’t allow us to stop there. Our goal was not just to enter the market quickly, but to create a product for the hookah industry that connoisseurs would admire.

After dozens of trials with variations of components and their concentrations, as well as changes in technological cycles, we achieved uniqueness in the production of Bonche Tobacco at every stage. And our main goal was achieved—we maximally conveyed the notes of the noble cigar leaf aroma during the smoking process.

We were able to prove this a year and a half after the product development began, when we won the “Startup of the Year” award at the JohnCalliano Awards 2020. We earned this trophy through our collective efforts, along with hundreds of people who cast their votes in our favor. The final jury vote confirmed the choice of Bonche connoisseurs. This indicated that we were heading in the right direction.

The Bonche team promised to maintain a high standard and delight with new ideas. Keeping our word, we were honored with the title of “Strong Tobacco of the Year” at the JohnCalliano Awards 2021.

The fierce competition in the industry strengthens us, so every victory is not only a reason for joy but also a great responsibility. It motivates us to develop and live up to the important status we have every day, as well as share the brand’s traditions and pass them on to connoisseurs of hookah culture.

So, what is Bonche? In the professional environment, the word “Bonche” refers to a cigar without a wrapper leaf, in other words, a bundle of tobacco leaves that form the filling of the cigar, held together by a binder leaf. By naming our product this way, we conveyed the idea that through hookah, we want to give people the opportunity to enjoy the quality and taste of a cigar, the smoking of which has long been recognized as a true ritual and privilege of the upper class.
Company ideology
We want to reveal the true meaning of the phrase “hookah tobacco.” The focus of our product concept is precisely on the second word. Today, this word has almost lost its value: the market is oversaturated with overly flavored “blends,” where the tobacco is often replaced with substitutes (such as tea, beetroot, etc.).

Undoubtedly, the new trend of smoking pure flavoring agents has found its audience. But this has no real connection with the phrase “hookah tobacco.” Even when the blend includes tobacco, we often barely notice tobacco notes, or don’t notice them at all. At that moment, the consumer asks: “Does it even matter what base is used in the tobacco mix?”

At Bonche, we rely on traditions, origins, and the power of the taste created by nature—because this taste is eternal.

Our raw material is a valuable asset. The hookah tobacco we have created truly justifies this phrase. Through hookah, we offer the opportunity to enjoy, first and foremost, the taste of tobacco: deep, slightly sweet, with subtle notes of spiciness.
Slogan
Everything created by the Bonche team is made with care, through meticulous searches for that special touch, something new and unique. That’s why our credo is “Something Special.” And we take these words as a given, never allowing ourselves to lower the bar set from the very beginning.
Target audience
Who are Bonche’s potential consumers?

The primary factor that defines our audience is the natural strength inherent to our raw materials. However, in a broader sense, our audience includes all hookah and tobacco enthusiasts.

Bonche was first sampled by experienced smoking connoisseurs. This professional audience appreciated the refined tobacco notes in Bonche, along with its adherence to all key quality characteristics of tobacco use: resistance to high temperatures, elevated strength, and authentic flavors that closely match the aromas described on the packaging.
Raw Materials Used
Why cigar leaf?
Cigars allow us to consume tobacco in its purest form, without additives or additional devices. This traditional method of cigar tobacco consumption serves as the foundation for the meticulous cultivation and “preparation” processes that define its quality. As a result, the cultivation and production of truly premium cigar tobacco lie at the intersection of art and science.

Since the establishment of the first cigar factory in Cuba in 1541, tobacco growers have tirelessly worked on selecting and fermenting the finest tobacco varieties to enrich the leaves with a complex bouquet of aromas. Only then, in the hands of a torcedor (cigar roller), does all this labor transform into the cigar we recognize.

The quality, uniqueness, and exclusivity of traditional cigar materials are directly tied to their geographic origins. For centuries, the finest cigar varieties have been cultivated and classically fermented only in specific regions of the Caribbean basin. Leading the cigar industry are nations such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and others.

This is due to tobacco’s preference for warmth, sunlight, moisture, and soil with a specific profile. In the Caribbean countries, these conditions come together synergistically, creating an ideal environment not only for growing tobacco but also for preparing it to perfection.
How Does Cigar Leaf Differ from Other Tobaccos?
Tobacco from these regions is both elite and rare, with limited availability. This exclusivity stems primarily from centuries-old local production traditions. Unlike the processing methods used for more common tobacco varieties (which account for 72% of the global tobacco market), cigar tobacco is distinguished by its unique drying and fermentation processes.

DRYING

After the tobacco harvest, the green tobacco leaves are completely unsuitable for smoking, containing around 80% moisture. To remove this moisture, the leaves must undergo a drying process.

For popular tobacco varieties grown in large quantities around the world, thermal drying (flue-curing) is typically used. This process takes place in controlled environments, where artificial climate conditions are created using heating devices and air conditioning systems. Modern technology helps maintain the desired temperature and humidity levels, significantly reducing the drying time. While this is economically beneficial for mass-market products, it can be detrimental to the flavor characteristics of the tobacco. Essential oils are lost, and the leaves become less oily, which leads to a loss of aromatic properties.

High-quality cigar tobacco, on the other hand, is dried in a completely different way. In the Caribbean countries, this process is approached with great care to preserve the necessary qualities of the leaves. The drying takes place in natural conditions (air-curing). The tobacco is hung in curing houses with the correct shape, oriented from east to west.

The cigar tobacco leaves are sorted and paired according to their shape to ensure proper air circulation. Then, they are placed on wooden rods, which are carefully sanded and soaked for 50 days in saltwater to prevent the tobacco from absorbing any foreign aromas, including those from the wood.

The rods with the leaves are placed on the lower level of the curing house and gradually moved upwards for even drying.

The necessary temperature and humidity levels inside the curing house are regulated by opening windows on either the northern or southern sides, depending on the required breeze—cool and dry or warm and humid. If the weather changes abruptly, tobacco farmers may hang damp cloths (to maintain humidity) or, in rare cases, bring in odorless hot coals (to raise the temperature).

The drying process for cigar tobacco takes around 50 days—a trade-off for preserving the flavor.

This difference in drying techniques is due to the significant reduction in drying time (several times faster) in thermal methods, which, as mentioned earlier, leads to substantial reductions in economic costs and drying cycles. As a result, the side effect of thermal drying is the loss of the tobacco’s most important characteristic—its aroma.
FERMENTATION

Fermentation plays a crucial role in enhancing the aromatic and smoking qualities of tobacco.

This process overlaps with drying, but the main difference lies in whether it takes place under artificial or natural conditions.

Popular pipe tobacco varieties undergo fermentation in specialized fermentation chambers. The tobacco is gradually heated and slowly cooled under controlled humidity levels, maintained by air conditioning systems in the chamber.

Industrial fermentation has undergone numerous changes over time. Experts have been searching for the optimal balance between quality and time efficiency, primarily for maximum economic benefit.

Initially, fermentation took place at temperatures of +30-35°C over 35 days. Producers found this interval too long. To shorten the tobacco processing cycle, experiments began in 1930 to raise the temperature during fermentation. For a while, a temperature of +40°C was used. However, it was later found that, under proper conditions at 50°C, the fermentation cycle could be reduced by 2.5 times with relatively little loss in aromatic and smoking properties. Experiments continued at 60°C, but it was found that this reduced the fermentation cycle by only 20-30% compared to 50°C and did not justify the increased heat consumption, which led to economic losses. More importantly, it caused significant quality losses in the leaf.

Today, the 60°C temperature is rarely used for low-quality tobaccos, while 50°C is the standard for all types of tobacco in fermentation factories. This is the ideal compromise between reducing production time and energy consumption while maintaining a tolerable level of quality degradation. Moreover, the 50°C regime prevents mold growth and reduces variability between batches, which is advantageous for large-scale industrial production.

Under this regime, fermentation takes about 10 days, depending on the initial characteristics of the tobacco.

Premium tobacco, such as cigar tobacco, requires a much gentler fermentation process—not to minimize losses but to maximize the flavor and aromatic properties and improve qualities that significantly impact the smoking experience.
It’s important to understand that the goal of producing elite tobaccos is not to ensure large market volumes with optimized production processes, but rather to create a product of the highest possible quality. Therefore, cigar tobacco undergoes fermentation in natural climatic conditions.

After drying, the tobacco is sent for fermentation early in the morning to prevent the dried leaves from cracking under the heat of the day. The tobacco is placed in the shade, in tightly sealed rooms with no windows. Cigar leaves undergo two, and sometimes more, stages of fermentation.

In the first stage, tobacco is fermented without sorting by level. The leaves are stacked in pairs, with each pair placed face-to-face. These stacks of dozens of leaves are then placed into a pilón—where up to 1,000 to 1,500 tobacco leaves can accumulate. The close contact between the leaves prevents oxygen from entering the pilón, which initiates the fermentation process.

The ideal conditions for fermentation are around 50% humidity and 30°C. Typically, the temperature rises in the center of the pilón, so to prevent the leaves in this area from rotting, they are moved around during the fermentation process—each leaf spends time in the middle, as well as on the edges or top of the pilón. A thermometer is placed in the middle of the pilón to monitor the temperature: if it reaches 35°C, the pilón is disassembled and reassembled to cool the leaves. This stage lasts from 30 to 45 days.

Afterward, the leaves are sorted, the central veins are removed, and they are divided into different layers: Ligero, Seco, and Volado.

In the second stage, the leaves are moistened and formed into separate stacks according to their layers, which undergo fermentation at different temperature regimes (due to the high moisture content of the leaves, the second fermentation can last up to 60 days):

Ligero – at 44°C for up to 60 days:
The top leaves of the plant are the youngest and densest, containing high nicotine content and strong aroma.

Seco – at 40°C for 45 days:
The middle leaves also have rich flavor, but with a more moderate strength.

Volado – at 37°C for about 30 days:
The lower, “mature” leaves are the thinnest, providing excellent combustion.

The principle of the second fermentation stage is similar to the first—fermentation occurs due to the absence of oxygen between the tightly stacked, moist leaves. The high humidity gives the tobacco excellent burning characteristics, making it burn slowly and evenly. This stage also significantly improves its aromatic properties. During fermentation, chemical compounds form in the leaves, similar to those found in chocolate or coffee, which gives a unique opportunity to experience the most delicate flavor and aroma notes created by nature when smoking.

After fermentation, the leaves are laid out on metal racks to cool and release excess moisture.

The fermentation process is comparable to marinating in its own juice: the structure, color, and chemical composition of the tobacco change. This unlocks deep aromas and flavors while ensuring the desired combustion characteristics. When smoked, it contributes to a rich, smooth, and full-bodied smoke.

AGING

Aging is one of the unique features of premium tobacco production, including cigar tobacco. Aging, also called maturation, is essentially the process of storing tobacco in optimal conditions to help preserve and enhance its qualities. During aging, the flavor profile expands, with the emergence of tertiary aromas.

Aging takes at least six months, but for Bonche Tobacco, the tobacco is aged for a minimum of 2 years.

In this comparative outline, we have provided specific facts and explanations that highlight the distinctive features of cigar tobacco, contributing to the development of its unique aromatic notes and exceptional qualities when consumed.
Appearance of the Product
Aesthetics in design
The packaging of Bonche Tobacco was developed around the slogan “Something Special.” Its design criteria were based on principles of both practicality and aesthetics.

The decision to adopt a minimalist approach was made deliberately. After analyzing the competitive environment, the company concluded that most market players rely heavily on bright, contrasting designs in their marketing campaigns, which include product packaging, point-of-sale materials, and more. The method of attracting potential consumers with vibrant color schemes is a common practice, as it is closely tied to the psychology of associative product perception.

Bonche Tobacco, however, chose to take a different approach by reversing the trend of excessive colorfulness, opting for a restrained minimalist design. This allowed the company to focus all attention on the content, reflecting the idea that true quality and distinction come from what is inside, not from flashy packaging.

By using minimalism—characterized by the clarity, simplicity, and precision of design—Bonche Tobacco emphasizes sophistication and elegance, offering consumers a sense of exclusivity. The subtle, clean aesthetic ensures that the packaging itself is a testament to the high standards of the tobacco inside, rather than relying on bold external contrasts to create appeal.
Packaging
Bonche Tobacco products are packaged in glass containers using a dry vacuum-sealing technology. This method is employed to preserve the tobacco’s properties and ensure that it remains unchanged from the moment of production until it is first placed in the bowl for consumption.

The metal lid features a label with a signature element of the brand’s identity – a cigar leaf. The labels are made from quilted material, offering a unique texture that can be felt by touch. The embossing of the label is clearly visible when the jar is tilted in the light, enhancing its visual appeal and tactile experience.

Over the label, the company’s logo is applied, along with the text “100% cigar leaf.” This serves as a constant reminder that Bonche uses only natural cigar leaves sourced from the Caribbean region in its blends. The side label includes health warnings about the dangers of tobacco consumption, which cover 50% of the label area, along with information about the raw materials used, the flavor profile, and the manufacturer.

Bonche’s products are available in three different sizes: 30g, 60g, and 120g. The small jar is perfect for those who are new to Bonche and prefer to start small, or for those who use the Notes line in daily mixology. The medium size is an ideal choice for those who are confident in the flavors and regularly refresh their stock. Based on our experience, this is the perfect balance for both retail and professional consumers—it’s a convenient package that doesn’t require repacking. The large size is suited for hookah lounges or those who prefer to indulge and share Bonche with friends.

This thoughtful packaging ensures that each product is not only preserved in optimal conditions but also presented in a way that enhances the consumer’s experience, reflecting the quality and premium nature of Bonche Tobacco.
Flavor Profile of Bonche Tobacco
Berry, fruit, dessert, gastronomy, and alcohol flavor
Bonche Tobacco presents its line of hookah tobacco in three formats: 120 g, 60 g, and 30 g. This thoughtful packaging approach is driven by a deep understanding of consumer needs, developed during the product’s creation phase. Each format is carefully tailored to fit different preferences, ensuring that the product suits both casual smokers and more frequent users.

The Base Blend

At the core of Bonche Tobacco is the Base Blend, a non-aromatic tobacco that perfectly showcases the natural flavor profile of cigar leaves. It serves as the foundation for all other flavors, offering an authentic taste of the leaf that consumers can appreciate before trying any aromatic variants. The Base Blend is the starting point for exploring the Bonche range, as it allows smokers to experience the full, unadulterated flavor of the tobacco. Some of its key qualities include:

• Maximum flavor retention of the cigar leaf: The base blend offers an unparalleled transfer of the natural flavors of cigar tobacco, ensuring that the true essence of the leaf is present.

• High thermal conductivity and heat resistance: This makes the tobacco ideal for hookah smoking, providing a long-lasting, even burn and a satisfying experience.

• Smooth, dense, and enveloping smoke: Despite its high nicotine content, the Base Blend is smooth, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers to Bonche.

• Compatibility with flavor infusions: The Base Blend is highly responsive to aromatic additives, allowing for the creation of a diverse range of flavor profiles without overpowering the tobacco’s natural taste.

Creating the Flavor Lineup

When crafting the aromatic blends, Bonche Tobacco adhered to three main principles:

1. Maximized flavor accuracy: Bonche’s flavor profiles are carefully crafted to closely resemble the actual taste of natural ingredients, ensuring that each flavor offers an authentic, pure experience. The goal was to achieve the most honest flavor translation possible, without artificial notes.

2. Innovation in the market: In a world full of repetitive flavor offerings, Bonche strives to create unique and novel flavors. While it’s a challenge to break away from trends, Bonche consistently delivers fresh, new tastes that stand out in the market.

3. Preservation of cigar leaf notes: At Bonche, preserving the core taste of the cigar leaf is paramount. The company aims to keep the rich natural tobacco flavor intact, ensuring it remains the star of the show, with the added flavor profiles enhancing but not overpowering it. This philosophy is rooted in the belief that masking a fine tobacco leaf with artificial flavors is akin to diluting a premium whiskey with cola.

The Flavor Experience

Bonche’s aromatic blends offer a diverse and balanced array of tastes, carefully crafted to complement the cigar base while catering to different palates. These flavors include fruity, citrusy, gastronomic combinations, as well as alcoholic and dessert notes, all harmonizing beautifully with the underlying cigar leaf.

Fruity and Berry Flavors

These flavors bring a sweet, tangy dimension to the tobacco, with options like:
• Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, and other berries that provide natural sweetness and tartness, enhancing the smoking experience with a fresh, juicy taste.

Citrus Flavors

Citrus flavors, such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit, add a refreshing, zesty touch to the blend, brightening the overall experience and cutting through the richness of the cigar leaf.

Gastronomic Combinations

Bonche has developed flavors that explore rich, savory notes, including spices and gourmet profiles, providing a deeper and more complex smoking experience. These combinations provide a unique and refined twist on traditional flavor profiles.

Alcoholic Flavors

Alcohol-inspired flavors, such as rum, whiskey, and wine, introduce a sophisticated layer of complexity, complementing the natural tobacco with rich, bold notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.

Dessert Flavors

Bonche’s dessert offerings are particularly impressive. These include rich, smooth flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and caramel that complement the cigar leaf with sweetness without being overwhelming or cloying. Unlike many other dessert-flavored tobaccos, these blends maintain their balance and do not require mixing with other milder notes.

The Unique Experience

One of the standout features of Bonche’s aromatic tobacco is the flavor evolution during smoking. For the first 20-30 minutes, the dominant flavor is the one indicated on the packaging, giving the smoker the full essence of the aroma. As the session progresses, the natural flavors of the cigar base emerge, allowing the tobacco to gradually return to its original character. This transition ensures that the flavor profile is dynamic, and the tobacco remains the focal point of the experience.

Consumer Feedback and Continuous Innovation

Bonche Tobacco has undergone extensive testing with over 15 people sampling the full range of flavors. The results showed that there is no single “best” or “worst” flavor in the lineup. Instead, every flavor has its moment, with some being favored in one session and others in another. This feedback solidifies Bonche’s approach: each product is meticulously crafted, and none are left unfinished or unsatisfactory. The company’s commitment to quality and refinement ensures that every flavor is ready for the market, waiting to be explored by individual preferences.

Bonche is not content with just a single lineup; the company is constantly innovating and exploring new tastes, ensuring that their product range continues to evolve and offer new, exciting experiences for hookah enthusiasts.