Sam Leccia Nears Return to Cigar Industry
Sam Leccia and the Oliva Family of Cigars have reached an agreement that will pave the way for Leccia’s return to the cigar industry. With the move, the two sides will settle a disagreement that dates back to November 2010 when Leccia, the former face of Cain and NUb, and Oliva parted ways.
It’s not the first time Leccia has announced a return. In the summer of 2011, he announced the Sam Leccia Cigar Co., a planned line called Debut and a distribution deal with Toraño Family Cigar Company. Oliva quickly announced legal action, which reached its peak when Leccia was barred from attending IPCPR 2011.
The move is a surprise given Oliva had previously claimed Leccia’s contract included a five-year non-compete clause. Oliva declined to comment on the manner, while Leccia was unavailable for comment.
Additionally, halfwheel has learned that Toraño Family Cigar Co. sales representatives were informed of the immediacy of Leccia’s return. Sources close to the situation have told halfwheel Leccia and Charlie Toraño, president of Toraño Family of Cigars, will have a separate working relationship in the future, although no plans are finalized. Toraño Family of Cigars had no comment on the manner.
(Photo Brooks Whittington/halfwheel)
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.
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