Scandinavian Tobacco Group has signed a UK distribution agreement to with the Mac Baren Tobacco Company to sell their pipe brands across the nation from 1st September.

Based in Denmark, Mac Baren is the second largest producer of pipe tobacco in the world selling in over 80 countries and are well renowned for the quality of their products and brands.

Besides their specialist heritage portfolio including Three Nuns, the Mac Baren UK range consists of St. Bruno Ready Rubbed, which is the number two pipe tobacco brand with a value market share of 22.6%.

St. Bruno Flake also has a share of 6.1%, and Gold Block which has a value market share of 8.1%.

When added to STG’s existing pipe tobacco brands, including the aromatic blend Clan, this will give a significant market share of just over 60% of the £27.5m UK pipe tobacco market.

STG’s UK country director, Alastair Williams, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Mac Baren brands such as St. Bruno and Gold Block to our expanding product portfolio.

“This deal firmly positions STG as the leading player, not only in cigars, but now also in traditional pipe tobacco too, and means we can now offer the trade two of the top three significant brands in the category.

“Pipe tobacco customers are typically very brand loyal and over 90 tonnes of it were sold in the UK in the last 12 months, so we’d strongly encourage retailers to ensure they remain fully stocked of the best-selling brands like St. Bruno Ready Rubbed and Clan.”