Scandinavian Tobacco Group Discontinues 56 SKUs, Impacting Multiple Brands

Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), the parent company of General Cigar Co. and Forged Cigar Co., has announced a significant reduction in its portfolio, discontinuing eight entire lines and numerous additional SKUs. The cuts heavily impact Alec Bradley, which STG acquired in 2023.

A Major Reshuffling of STG’s Portfolio

The latest round of discontinuations is the most extensive since October 2024, marking at least the third wave of product eliminations within a year. As one of the largest cigar companies in the U.S., STG’s portfolio includes major brands such as Cohiba, Partagás, Macanudo, CAO, and Room101. With this restructuring, the company aims to refine its offerings and focus on key products that resonate most with consumers.

Eight Lines Completely Discontinued

STG has removed the following lines from its portfolio:
• Alec Bradley ABCO Bundles (Churchill, Gordo, Robusto, Toro)
• Blind Faith by Alec & Bradley (Gordo, Robusto, Toro)
• Alec Bradley Coyol (Double Churchill, Gordo, Petit Lancero, Robusto, Toro)
• Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua (Churchill, Gordo, Robusto, Toro, Torpedo)
• CAO Pilón Añejo (Robusto, Gigante)
• Cohiba Macassar (Double Corona, Gigante, Toro Grande)
• Hoyo de Tradición (Rothchild, Hermoso, Toro Grande)
• La Gloria Cubana Medio Tiempo (Robusto, Toro, Churchill)

Additional SKUs Phased Out

Beyond the complete discontinuation of eight lines, STG has also phased out numerous vitolas from other established brands. These include select sizes from Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf, Alec Bradley Black Market, CAO Colombia, Chillin’ Moose, Diesel Vintage Maduro, Excalibur, Mehari’s, and Punch. However, some of these lines will continue to be available in other vitolas.

Additionally, the company will no longer sell Cohiba Red Dot Robusto 5 Packs, though the cigar remains available in other packaging formats.

Strategic Portfolio Adjustments

STG’s decision to streamline its catalogue reflects an evolving market strategy. The company splits its brands between two sales divisions—General Cigar Co. and Forged Cigar Co.—each focusing on different segments of the premium cigar market. By cutting underperforming SKUs and entire lines, STG is likely positioning itself for a more focused approach to consumer demand and brand performance.

With this move, retailers and consumers should prepare for shifts in product availability, particularly for Alec Bradley cigars, which were notably affected by this round of discontinuations. Whether this signals further consolidation or a reallocation of resources toward new product launches remains to be seen. Stay tuned for more updates on how this impacts the cigar landscape.