Klin Groupe Takes Back Hammer + Sickle Distribution

Despite rumors the company had departed the cigar industry, Hammer + Sickle appears far form an exit. In less than a month, the company has introduced a new line and is now in control of its own distribution. On June 24, the company’s distribution agreement with Victor Vitale was terminated, a result of the sale of The Cigar Agency, Vitale’s distribution company who also handled the A.Bentley, La Mezcla Cubana and Ortsac Brand.

Klin Groupe, which also owns the Hammer + Sickle Vodka label, is now responsible for distribution of the cigars under the Klin Tobacco Company name, which is how the brand is listed for the 2013 IPCPR trade show and convention.

Eric Hanson told halfwheel the company will be featuring its newest line, Icon Series, at the Las Vegas, Nev. trade show. It’s described as the mild offering from the company offered in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50) and Churchill (7 x 48). Pricing is around $8.50 per cigar. The Icon Series is made at TABADOM Holdings in the Dominican Republic and began shipping to retailers last Friday.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.