Luciano Cigars Launches U.S. Distribution, Announces New Team Members, Adds ATL Cigar Co. to Distribution Portfolio

Luciano Cigars has officially launched its U.S. distribution operation today, as well as announcing the addition of several new team members, and that it will be distributing ATL Cigar Co.’s portfolio.

It is the latest development in a chain of events that began when ACE Prime announced in September that it would be ending its distribution agreement with Crowned Heads and undergoing a rebranding to Luciano Cigars. The relationship between Crowned Heads and ACE Prime/Luciano Cigars came to an end on Monday.

Now, Luciano Cigars will distribute a number of lines that were previously part of the ACE Prime portfolio:

• Luciano The Dreamer
• Fiat Lux
• Mas Igneus
• Maria Lucia
• Pichardo Clásico
• Pichardo Reserva Familiar
• The Sergeant
• MXS Adrian Gonzalez

The company noted that both of the Pichardo lines will be getting a rebrand soon, and that The Sergeant will be adding new vitolas.

“It’s not only a rebranding, but a new era in our company,” said Luciano Meirelles, president and ceo of Luciano Cigars. “We are expanding our farming, tobacco processing and manufacturing facilities. I am humbled and grateful to have an incredible ‘Dream Team’ in place to distribute across the US with in-house reps and broker partnerships.”

Luciano Cigars will also be launching a new online portal by the end of 2022 that will allow their retail partners with a way to schedule events, talk to their sales representative and place orders directly into the company’s system.

Beyond distributing its own portfolio, Luciano Cigars also announced that it is now distributing the portfolio of ATL Cigar Co., and will also begin producing the company’s lines at its factory in Nicaragua. ATL Cigar Co. currently offers four lines, ATL Magic, Good Trouble, Black, and Fye. Each of the four lines will be undergoing a relaunch at the 2023 Total Product Expo (TPE), which is scheduled for Feb. 22-24, 2023.

ATL Cigar Co. will remain independently owned by Peter Gross and Leroy Lamar III. However, Gross will be joining Luciano Cigars as its new chief operating officer. In addition to being a co-founder of ATL Cigar Co., Gross has worked for a number of companies involving insurance and financial services, including AXA, Turaco and MicroEnsure.

In addition, Rebecca Meirelles has been announced as the company’s new marketing officer and will oversee the company’s national and international marketing efforts, while Kristen Dounoulis joins the company as its distribution manager, overseeing warehouse and fulfillment activities.

The new team members join Ed Trevino, who was named the company’s director of sales in late September.

“As an athlete I have always known that dedication, hard work and talent is the recipe for success,” said Tiago Splitter, co-founder and vp of Luciano Cigars. “What we are experiencing today is just a consequence of these three exponentiated elements. I can say from the depths of my soul that today is a remarkable day for me and for our company.”

Luciano Cigars’ U.S. warehouse is located in West Palm Beach, Fla.