At times the cigar world can mimic that of sports with a big name free agent on the market. Such is the case of Sam Leccia who became that free agent when Torano Cigars was sold to General. The question on the mind of many since then is where will Sam Leccia wind up. There were many rumors and The Cigar Authority has confirmed that Sam Leccia is no longer a free agent.
A press release is forthcoming but Sam Leccia will become a part of the General Cigar Company team, but not in the sense that we would expect.
Our sources have confirmed that Sam Leccia will take a corporate position with General. It is expected that he will provide a face to the company at events and showcase his master rolling skills.
It will be interesting to see how Sam Leccia as a part of General Cigar Company will be received by his fans and those who supported him as the little guy.
We will have more information including the future of his brands as it is made available…
Update: General Cigar has sent out a press release confirming. Details of the Press Release below…
GENERAL CIGAR HIRES SAM LECCIA AND ACQUIRES BRANDS
Richmond, VA — General Cigar Company is excited to announce today they have hired Sam Leccia as “Cigar and Blend Specialist.” General Cigar has also acquired the Leccia Tobacco Company cigar brands, as part of the Foundry Tobacco Company, and will market and distribute the Black, White and Luchador lines, effective today.
Sam has built a strong reputation in the premium cigar category through his non-traditional approach to cigar making and brand building. He is best known for developing contemporary blends that put a unique and exciting spin on the tradition of premium cigars. In his new role at General Cigar, Sam will continue to develop his brands while leveraging the company’s vast tobacco resources, premium cigar blending expertise and creative talent. He will also bring new, innovative products to the premium cigar market. As an ambassador for his brands, Sam will continue on his quest to share his passion for premium cigars with retailers and consumers across the country.
Dan Carr, president of General Cigar said, “I am impressed with what Sam has achieved. He broke into the industry, worked tirelessly for years, and made a name for himself by developing interesting cigar brands. Sam will provide additional creative talent to complement the expertise of our existing team, enabling us to build on the success of his and our current brands. I look forward to his contributions in helping us accelerate our plans for Foundry Tobacco Company, and to the personal perspective he will bring to our entire brand portfolio.”
“To say that I am thrilled to be joining General Cigar Company is a gross understatement,” said Sam Leccia. “Even before I began my career in this business, I experimented with different tobaccos to create new flavors and smoking experiences. Having creative freedom, access to the resources of General Cigar, and the ability to work with the company’s master blenders and tobacco experts is like a dream come true. I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to take my passion for this business and my love of delivering the unexpected and put them to work for General Cigar.”
