Erik Wentworth, best known for his tenure as Executive Vice President of Hammer + Sickle Cigars, is returning to the cigar industry and launching 3 LEAF Cigars. Wentworth will be the company’s CEO, while Jim Ferreira is the company’s COO.
The company will market with two releases: a Connecticut Shade and Habano. Each blend has three sizes packaged in 16-count boxes: 5 x 50, 6 x 48, and 6 x 54. Both blends are being produced out of the Dominican Republic. Pricing is set from $10.00 to $12.00 MSRP before taxes.
The following is the text of a letter from Wentworth included in the company’s press release:
I am very pleased to announce the release of 3 LEAF. It is a brand born from the knowledge obtained during 15 years in the cigar industry, the relationships – both professional and social – that have formed during that time, and my undying passion for cigars.
I entered the premium cigar industry in 2009 as a tobacconist at Two Guys Smoke Shop and I quickly found a home. The passion that rooted me to this industry developed through working with amazing people on a daily basis.
Four short years later, I was provided the privilege to work with Hammer & Sickle. From 2013 until 2022 I worked for the company, growing to the position of Executive Vice President and expanding the company’s presence in the cigar industry. During that time, I worked under Eric Hanson developing a close relationship with him and the company, while learning the intricacies of running a cigar business with the ultimate goal to provide the best product to the customer- a product I was proud of.
In June of 2018, we were all blindsided when Eric passed away; I lost my mentor, my colleague, and someone I considered family. I was saddened but also determined to continue driving forward, and the company continued to grow until the spring of 2022 when due to unforeseen events, the company decided to dissolve.
I realized about one year after being absent from the cigar industry, how much of an impression it had left on my life. During the end of 2022 I wanted to go back. In an industry that thrives off of relationships, 3 LEAF is no exception. Everything from the name to the company’s founders is rooted on relationships with those closest to me. I knew I wanted to start this endeavor with the support of my friends and family and quickly contacted my close friend Jim Ferreira about making a cigar together. Without hesitation he was in favor of the idea and we began making plans.
The name 3 LEAF itself, evolved from a drawing my daughter created of a small tobacco stock bearing three leaves. When I brought my daughter’s drawing to Jim it was immediately adopted to be our project’s crest and 3 LEAF was born.
After over a year of blending and rigorous details, we finally have two blends that will appeal to every cigar enthusiast, for those special occasions or everyday smokes. Jim and I are truly honored, humbled, and overjoyed with the release of 3 LEAF, and we hope that you enjoy 3 LEAF as much as we have enjoyed making them.
This is a developing story.
Jim Price
Well Done, Eric & Jim. All the best to you guys in the future!