The rumors around Oliva Cigar Company being sold have been going around for at least a couple of years. Selling partners were rumoured to be companies like Davidoff and Altadis, and General Cigar Company.
Oliva cigar company can trace its roots to Melanio Oliva who began growing tobacco in 1886 in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. In 1964 following the Cuban revolution, Gilberto Oliva would emigrate to Spain before moving to Nicaragua where he would reenter the tobacco business.
In 1996, his son Gilberto Oliva Jr. would launch “Gilberto Oliva” a label which evolved into today’s Oliva.
The brand would get a new factory in 2003, and today their premium cigars are produced at a 60,000 square foot facility located in Esteli, Nicaragua. The company employs over 300 rollers and is capable of producing 50,000 cigars daily. Lower-end products are manufactured in Danli, Honduras as well which are then transported to Nicaragua before shipping globally.
The rumor of the sale of the company grew as José R. Oliva entered politics in Florida.
One of the rumored players, General Cigar let go of Dan Carr but even with a new person at the helm of the company it appears they still are in acquisition mode following there 2014 purchase of Torano Cigar Company and hiring of Sam Leccia whom, the company parted ways with earlier this year.
More details as they become available
Updated 6:00pm 5/3/16: According to Cory Bappert VP of Sales, “Contrary to rumor and speculation a purchase of Oliva cigar by General Cigar is not imminent.“
Updated 6:22pm 5/3/16: According to a source with knowledge of the situation that reached out to The Cigar Authority, rumors of General Cigar might not be accurate. According to our source, a group of investors are said to be close to making the purchase and an official press release could come within the next week.
