PRESS RELEASE

Jan. 12, 2016

ICONIC MACANUDO BRAND LAUNCHES NEW LOOK

General Cigar announces today that the company has modernized the design of its iconic Macanudo logo for the U.S. market. Beginning on January 15, 2016, Macanudo Café, Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Crü Royale and Macanudo 1968 and will feature the brand’s new look.

“The Macanudo logo has evolved to a more contemporary design, and packaging has been updated for visual consistency throughout the portfolio. The changes will make Macanudo even more appealing on shelf and more relevant to current and new cigar smokers,” said Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar.

While the color schemes remain unchanged, the new logo is stronger, more confident and features the Macanudo word mark more prominently beneath the logo.”

Macanudo Crü Royale will now be presented in a wrap set box to match the packaging of the other cigars in line, while Macanudo 1968 will move from a cabinet-style to shell top box. Additionally, the bands for Macanudo Café will be updated with a shiny metallic gold foil, while Macanudo Crü Royale bands will feature silver foil.

The redesign marks the first change to the logo and packaging since the company began selling Macanudo nearly 50 years ago.

“While the look has progressed, the blends have not changed,” noted Willner.

Launched in 1968, Macanudo Café is General Cigar’s top-selling premium cigar brand and is available worldwide. The brand is best known for its mild flavor and silky Connecticut Shade wrapper.

For more information on Macanudo, visit Macanudo.com.

About General Cigar Company

General Cigar Co. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted cigars for the premium market in the US. The company is owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group.

Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana®, Partagas®, CAO®, Punch®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends and has a dedicated R&D practice that develops new varieties of tobacco and revitalizes vintage seeds. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through wholesalers and retailers in the US. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City.

Read more: www.cigarworld.com.