Brand Karelia. Karelia cigarettes belong to the manufacturer of Karelia Tobacco Company Inc., a corporation that appeared in 1888 in Greece. The company’s headquarters are located in Kalamata. The founder of the production is tobacco grower George Karelias and his brother Stathis.
The production of Karelia cigarettes began with a small shop of the brothers George and Statis Karelia. For a long time, their business was not up to par. In 1950, sales of the shop began to bear fruit, and a little later the brothers gained fame. First, cigarettes gained popularity in Greek cities, and then in other countries.
Karelia Brothers (the old name of the brand) signed a contract with the American brand RJ Reynolds, and at the end of 1990 with the Japanese manufacturer Japan Tobacco International, but in 2000 all contracts were terminated and the company actively began to promote its production. In 2003, they opened a subsidiary of Karelia Tobacco Company in England, in 2007 in Bulgaria, and in 2008 in Turkey.
The Carelia Tobacco produces only natural products. In cigarettes there are no additives of chemical and synthetic origin, the amount of harmful substances is reduced to a minimum percentage.
Their difference is in oriental Greek tobacco, which contains a lot of sugar (20%). This type of leaves gives a pleasant aftertaste and provides ease of tightening. Raw materials are dried according to the proprietary technology developed by the manufacturer: not standard fire drying, but steam treatment. Karelia does not give out the complete secret of manufacturing its products.
Lines of cigarettes under the auspices of George Karelias, which have become an independent brand:
George Karelias and Sons – a whole series of species; Karelia Slims cigarettes – thin, released in 1995 for women; Ome – have the shape of thick and long thin products, on sale since 2009; Karelia Family – George’s descendants began to produce; Royal Luxury Virginia – Virginia gold blend in a red branded pack, one of the first export brands of Karelia that brought them success in the international arena; REX – available with and without a filter; American Legend (real American blend) – using elite American tobacco, began production in 1990; Filter Kasetina is another type of cigarette promoted by the company. Leader by choice is a real thin American mixture. Wellington – carefully selected varieties of tobacco leaves, in royal packaging.