General Cigar Acquires Havana Honeys Premium Cigar Business

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--General Cigar announces today that it has acquired certain assets of Havana Honeys Holdings LLC, a privately-held company that manufactures and markets flavored cigars under the Havana Honeys® brand. Included among the acquired assets are the Havana Honeys trademark as well as inventory and related assets to support the premium cigar segment of Havana Honeys. Terms of the purchase have not been disclosed.

“While Havana Honeys is enormously popular, General Cigar has the sales and marketing muscle necessary to bring the brand to new heights. I look forward to watching Havana Honeys grow under General Cigar’s expertise.”

General Cigar's Chief Operating Officer Daniel Nuñez explained, “General Cigar's purchase of Havana Honeys represents an opportunity to strengthen our position within the growing flavored segment of the premium cigar category. The acquisition of such a prominent brand is a great complement to our existing portfolio.”

Under the agreement, General Cigar will assume the production, marketing and selling activities associated with Havana Honeys flavored premium cigars, one of the three business segments under the brand. Joe Gold, the founder of Havana Honeys, will retain the marketing and selling activities associated with the two other business segments of Havana Honeys: the “little cigar” business and operation of the Havana Honeys retail outlet at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

“I am pleased that General Cigar has acquired the Havana Honeys brand, which recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary,” Joe Gold commented. “While Havana Honeys is enormously popular, General Cigar has the sales and marketing muscle necessary to bring the brand to new heights. I look forward to watching Havana Honeys grow under General Cigar’s expertise.”

General Cigar currently participates in the flavored premium cigar segment through Kahlúa Cigars Delicioso by Drew Estate and Helix Remix® cigar brands.

Established in 1997, Havana Honeys is one of the best-selling premium flavored cigar brands in the U.S. Best known for its unique collection of flavor profiles and innovative packaging, Havana Honeys is largely credited with creating the demand for flavored cigars in the premium category.

The acquisition will have no significant impact on the Swedish Match Group.

About General Cigar

General Cigar Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Swedish Match AB, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Passionate about delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar produces Macanudo®, Partagas®, Cohiba®, Punch®, Excalibur®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other industry-leading brands, which are sold through tobacconists nationwide. In addition, the company grows its own proprietary Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

About Havana Honeys

Havana Honeys, based in Las Vegas, is the leading innovator in flavored premium cigars. The company, founded by Joe Gold, blends, hand-rolls and flavors its cigars in the Dominican Republic, employing the most skilled professionals at every step of production. The Havana Honeys store holds a prime position in Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport which yearly sees 40 million Vegas visitors as they fly in and out of the world’s gaming capital. This exposure has led to explosive growth for the company. Its products are available at Rite Aid, CVS and fine tobacconists nationwide.

^® Havana Honeys, Helix Remix, Macanudo, Partagas, Cohiba, Excalibur, Hoyo de Monterrey and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc and/or affiliated companies.