Today, Royal Agio Cigars announced that it will be adding a new headquarters in the United States, with dedicated staff focused on strengthening its presence in the country and supporting the company’s trade partners and consumers.

Drew Estate has been handing the sales and distribution for the company since April 2014, though the two are not parting ways. In a statement issued on Friday, Royal Agio says it is because of the success of Royal Agio in the U.S. that the two companies decided it was time to have its own sales force. The two companies will continue their relationship in international markets, including distribution throughout Europe.

Additionally, the two companies will share booth space at the upcoming 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, with Royal Agio’s products on display in Drew Estate’s booth as well as in its own separate booth.

“We are pleased to have played a key role in reaching this ‘historical milestone’ for Royal Agio Cigars, as they transition toward building a dedicated distribution capability and forging direct trade relations in the U.S.A.,’’ said Glenn C. Wolfson, ceo of Drew Estate, via a press release.

The transition to its own sales and marketing staff will take place in the coming months as a team of trade development and retailer support staff are added. Drew Estate will continue to handle sales and distribution in the mean time.

Royal Agio’s portfolio includes the Merharis, Panter, Balmoral, and De Huifkar brands, as well as the eponymously named Agio line of cigars. The company also maintains operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany and France, with production facilities in Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic and Belgium.

Avatar photo

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.