Hammer + Sickle calls it quits

The lifestyle brand which sells vofka and cigars under the Hammer + Sickle name is shutting down. The remaining inventory of the cigars is sold to Two Guys Smoke Shop, who will liquidate the stock. David Garofalo from Two Guys Smoke Shop also bought the ownership of the brand and the warehouse of the Klin Groupe. Klin Groupe was the owner of Hammer + Sickle.

For a while, Hammer + Sickle had traction, maybe just for their amazing packaging such as marble and glass. But the brand lost much of its appeal and with the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, many retailers didn’t want to sell cigars with a Russian name, symbol or connection. Even though the cigars bare no connection with Russia, the imagery does. The vodka, which is not included in the deal with Garofalo, did come from Russia.

Back when the invasion occurred Klin Groupe issued the following statement:

Klin Spirits is devastated by the actions of the Russian government and unequivocally supports the people of Ukraine. We hope consumers understand that in no way do we condone the violence against Ukraine and implore the Russian government to work towards a peaceful resolution.

Our company began importing Russian vodka in 2007. We are a Massachusetts-based, small business who created this brand with the hopes of bringing an unknown, high quality product to market in our great country. We source our vodka from a hardworking, multi generation family in Russia. Our values and beliefs do not align with the atrocities taking place in Ukraine and we reject the actions of the Russian government, as do so many of the Russian people.

Anthony Faletra
CEO, Klin Spirits

Rick Hanson
Chairman of the Board, Klin Spirits