Best friends — literally

We've known each other since childhood. We grew up together.

International Case Competition

During our studies, we got to compete as one group in the KPMG International Case Competition in Malaysia. Second place!

Internship in Santiago, Chile

Thanks to the competition, we both landed internships at KPMG Chile, sharing a flat, working and traveling together for 5 months.

Adapting to the Latin mindset

We had to get used to a completely different environment, culture and language. And we loved every minute of it!

Decision to found our own cigar company

In December 2024, we went "back to the roots": Chile 2.0. In the midst of traveling & Christmas festivities, we decided that now is the time to finally pull the trigger. We will found our own cigar company!

Site visits in the Dominican Republic

After 6 months of research & preparation, we traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit potential suppliers. Cigars blend tastings, relationship building, supply chain development, content creation — it was tough.

It's official: Culebra GmbH exists

Back in Switzerland, we incorporated our first company, Culebra GmbH on 21 August 2025 — in the Year of the Snake (Culebra means "Snake" in Spanish).

Commercial Register

Culebra goes public

After our 60-day countdown campaign on Instagram we officially launched our brand at TAO's in Zurich on 4 October 2025. Nearly 100 people came from all across Switzerland. The next day, we were booked again with a stand next to the big names at Big Smoke 2025.

Looking ahead

It's been a wild ride until now, and we're not thinking about stopping anytime soon. With ambitious goals we look forward to what lies ahead.

Our Story

Culebra was founded in 2025, the Chinese Year of the Snake, by two Swiss entrepreneurs, Nicolas Schwarz and Oliver Kneubühl. Culebra means “Snake” in Spanish. It embodies a new Swiss cigar brand for handmade cigars from the Dominican Republic in a long-established industry.

Culebra cigars are the product of our shared passion for hand-rolled cigars and commitment to excellence. Our goal is simple: Craft cigars with rich, balanced aromas that can be smoked by both newcomers and experienced aficionados.

Nicolas Schwarz

CEO

Nicolas Schwarz, a former investment banker and snake owner, brings a unique perspective to Culebra. He believes a cigar is a piece of culture, a handcrafted expression of taste and tradition.

Oliver Kneubühl

COO & General Counsel

Oliver Kneubühl is a corporate lawyer. With his refined taste and being a connoisseur of cars, watches and fine spirits, he complements Culebra’s vision. Oliver is fascinated by the craftsmanship and artwork involved in making a good cigar.

Peter Witzke

Advisor

Peter has over 30 years of experience in the tobacco industry. From 2007 until 2017, he was the CEO at Villiger Söhne AG, one of Switzerland’s most renowned tobacco companies. Peter is currently the CEO of Kopp Tobaccos GmbH in Germany. In addition, he now serves as the advisor to Culebra’s founders, acting as a strategic sparring partner and contributing his decades of expertise to Culebra’s ongoing development.

Our Vision

Cherish The Moment

Life moves faster than ever. Real conversations, deep connections and moments of pure appreciation are becoming rare. At Culebra, we celebrate these timeless values. We invite people to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life.

Bridge Generations

Handmade cigars embody tradition, values and respect that are passed from one generation to the next. At Culebra, we connect the young and the experienced, bridging generations through the shared appreciation of the craftsmanship behind cigars.

Celebrate Culture

Cigars represent more than just a product. They embody a cultural tradition that has existed for centuries across the world. At Culebra, we value this culture and welcome those who wish to discover, understand, and become part of it.