Tuesday, March 11 2008
Richmond, VA — General Cigar and Drew Estate announced today that
Kahlúa Cigars Delicioso by Drew Estate will be discontinued. Pernod Ricard, which recently purchased the Kahlúa brand, has exercised its right to not renew the licensing agreement with Drew Estate.
On March 31, 2008 all production of Kahlúa Cigars Delicioso at the Drew Estate factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, will cease. General Cigar will continue to sell the brand until all inventory has been depleted.
Dan Carr, senior vice president of sales and marketing for General Cigar commented, "While we regret the loss of the brand, General Cigar remains committed to the flavored premium cigar category."
According to Steve Saka, president of Drew Estate, "Although we were proud to be the manufacturer of this internationally renowned brand, we were also well prepared for this eventuality. We here at Drew Estate are very excited to now be able to dedicate production capacity to new coffee infused products that will not only fill, but overflow any void left by Kahlua's departure."
In 2002, Drew Estate entered into the licensing agreement with Allied Domecq, then the brand owner of Kahlúa. In July of 2005, Pernod Ricard completed its acquisition of Allied Domecq. Pernod Ricard is the current owner of the Kahlúa brand.
Since its introduction in 2002, Kahlúa Cigars Delicioso by Drew Estate has been one of the best-selling brands in the flavored premium cigar category. £
® Kahlúa is a registered trademark of Pernod Ricard.
