STG Discontinues Some Forged Brands

Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG)—the parent company of General Cigar Co., Forged Cigar Co., Cigars International and others—has informed retailers that it is discontinuing select lines from the Forged portfolio.

In emails sent to retailers today, the STG announced that Bolivar, El Rico Habano and Helix have been discontinued. An STG spokesperson clarified to halfwheel that only the regular Bolivar line is getting the axe; Forged will continue to sell the Bolivar Cofradia and Bolivar Gran Republica.

The lines being discontinued will no longer be subject to minimum pricing requirements, meaning consumers may see them heavily discounted.

While today’s announcement only affects Forged, STG already made some cuts to the General portfolio in late July.

STG sells dozens of different brands in the U.S., ranging from the non-Cuban versions of Cohiba and Partagas to Alec Bradley, CAO, Macanudo, Room101 and others. The company splits its portfolio of brands between two separate sales teams: General Cigar Co. and Forged Cigar Co.