Scandinavian Tobacco Group

Sazerac Co. is commemorating five Prohibition-era blends made by the George T. Stagg Distillery. STG, parent company of General Cigar Co., has created a limited edition of five blends designed to pair with the spirits.

The cigar industry dealt with a lot of issues and questions in 2024, and Charlie Minato made predictions about how some of those things would turn out. A year later, it’s time to find out how correct he was.

In the second half of 2024, STG has been regularly trimming the company’s massive portfolio of cigars. The latest round includes OSA Sol, one of the first General-era CAO cigars launched.

STG, the largest cigar company in the U.S., says that it is experiencing “market decline for our key cigar markets.” That said, revenue was still up for Q3.

As expected, Sutliff’s cigar distribution business will not be part of STG’s future plans. It will close at the end of the year.

No premium cigar company has conducted more acquisitions in the modern era than Scandinavian Tobacco Group. While the company didn’t mention future acquisitions as a reason for the bond, it certainly should help.

Scandinavian Tobacco Group—the cigar giant that includes General Cigar Co., Cigars International and many others—increased revenue 6.3 percent compared to last year. In July, STG announced that it had acquired Mac Baren, a large pipe tobacco company.

The increases affect many popular lines, including Cohiba, Macanudo, La Gloria Cubana, Alec Bradley and Room101. The increases go into effect tomorrow and will raise the prices anywhere from a couple of dimes to a couple of dollars.

Mac Baren is a nearly 200-year-old company best known for its pipe tobacco. For the cigar industry, this deal could affect Sutliff Tobacco Co., which handles logistics for around a dozen smaller cigar companies.

STG’s revenue dropped 2 percent compared to Q1 2023. Its financial guidance remains unchanged.

Broersma will oversee STG’s businesses in 100 countries and different categories including premium cigars, machine-made cigars, tobacco-free nicotine products as well as retail stores.