Top Takeaways:

• Drew Estate will shift its German distribution to GRE Trade GmbH beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
• GRE Trade, part of DanCzek Teplice A.S., is expanding in premium cigars after recently taking on Gurkha.
• The move ends Drew Estate’s long distribution relationship with Scandinavian Tobacco Group in Germany.

Drew Estate has announced that GRE Trade GmbH will become its exclusive distributor in Germany starting January 1, 2026, marking a major change in the company’s European distribution approach. The move ends Drew Estate’s long-standing partnership with Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which previously managed the brand in the German market.

GRE Trade is a relatively new player in the handmade cigar market but has been growing quickly. The company recently became the distributor of Gurkha cigars in Germany and is supported by DanCzek Teplice A.S., a Czech tobacco company best known for its cigarette lineup. GRE Trade’s German operations are managed by Olaf Ruf, who previously led Davidoff’s business in the country.

“By adding Drew Estate’s brands, we gain a manufacturer that stands for innovation and top quality, true to the motto ‘The Rebirth of Cigars,’” Ruf said in a statement announcing the deal. “We look forward to offering our customers in Germany these exceptional cigars and to developing the market together.”

Drew Estate described the German market as strategically important and said the new partnership will help strengthen its brand footprint. “Germany is an important market for us,” said Glenn Wolfson, CEO of Drew Estate. “With GRE Trade, we have found a strong partner who shares our passion for premium cigars. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to further expanding our brand presence in Germany.”