Tim Ozgener Leaving CAO

[admin]

Tim Ozgener will be leaving CAO. The offices are closing and the operations are being taken over by General Cigar.

[From an industry source that wishes to remain anonymous.]
There are still unanswered questions:
What will happen with the distribution of CAO and Dunhill Pipe Tobaccos?
Will General Cigar be distributing the pipe tobaccos? If not, then who? Will there be shortages or disruption in supplies? Will they no longer be available?
The original article and forum threads are at these links:
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-news/cao-and-dunhill-pipe-tobacco-distribution-in-question/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cao-and-dunhill-pipe-tobacco-distribution-in-question

 

[daveinlax]

That's to bad but they had to know it was going to happen eventually when they sold out to STG. They were a great little family company going from selling meers to developing IMO, a high quality cigar line. I'm going to assume that they will work out the distribution issues but I won't hold my breath.

 

[bubbadreier]

I just hope that the continue to produce the pipe tobacco lines! if not I am going to have to stock up while I still can!

 

[tanless1]

Will their cigar blends suffer under the new boss ? The cao gold is a very fine poduct at $5 or under.... over $5 and I seek alternatives.

 

[collindow]

Time for a run on Rich's CAO blends.

 

[surfmac211]

Let's just say I herd about this and got hooked up from my local B&M and bought a ton of cigars just in-case the new company screws with the cigars.

 

[admin]

Here's an article I wrote for the cigar side.
http://www.puff.com/Content/Cigar-News/cao-closing-its-doors-general-cigar-to-take-over-distribution.html

 

[fred]

The corporate acquisitions and consolidations going on in the industry

make things difficult to predict. Eventually, these matters will be

resolved, but for now it leaves a number of things up for speculation.

 

[surfmac211]

Good article Kevin. Those were my thoughts exactly. I'm really worried they make the CAO cigars into more of a cheaper mass market cigar. I personally think CAO as of now makes some of the best cigars for the price they offer them at and variety. I'm also worried if they due keep the pipe tobacco line that it will too loose some of its flavor everyone is excited about having once again, and turn into just an ok blend.