60's
BALLI was founded in 1965, focusing on the import, export, and distribution of accessories and smoking-related products in Greece, the Middle East, and Italy.
70's
The company established itself in the tobacco segment primarily through exports and in the domestic market with Tar Gard, the U.S. manufactured cigarette holder that was a huge success in the Middle East, Italy and Greece.
Building on years of experience, the company introduced leading international accessory brands to the markets where it held exclusive distribution rights, including Christian Dior, Davidoff Accessories, Dunhill Accessories, Lanvin, and Longchamp.
In the lighter category, the company collaborated with Maruman, Tanita, and Flaminaire among others.
By the late 1970s, pipe smoking dominated globally, and the leading brands represented by the company in Greece included Peterson, Charatan, Dunhill Pipes, and Hardcastle, among others.
80's
During the 1980s, the company was the first to introduce cigarette rolling papers (Rizla) to the Greek market, introducing the roll-your-own concept to Greek smokers for the first time.
Cigars were introduced in 1978 with the exclusive representation of Davidoff, followed by the exclusive representation of Habanos in 1983, which includes all Cuban cigar brands.
By the late 1980s, the company opened a Davidoff store in Syntagma, featuring the first walk-in humidor in Greece — a landmark for the world of cigars.
90's
In 1993, the company began its collaboration with Italian cigars Toscano, which today remain the company’s core product.
From the late 1990s, the company expanded into the distribution of handmade cigars from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, and other Central American countries. In the past, it has also held exclusive distribution rights in Greece for brands such as Carlos Torano, A. Fuente, Dunhill, Vegafina, and Nub.
2000's
In the late 1990s, Cuban cigarillos were introduced to the Greek market.
Between 2005 and 2010, BALLI was awarded four times for achieving the highest sales in absolute figures globally, competing against countries with significantly larger populations than Greece.
The collaboration with Djeep disposable lighters began in 2004, while in 2003 the company became one of the first partners of Boveda in Europe. Today, with more than 20 years presence in Greece, Boveda is regarded not just as an accessory, but as an essential companion for cigar smokers.
2010's
In the early 2010s, the company withdrew from the distribution of Cuban cigars and placed Italian Toscano cigars at the core of its strategy, marking a period of continuous growth. Today, Toscano cigars are the most sought-after widely distributed cigars in Greece, with consistent availability from city centers to even the most remote islands.
TODAY
After many years away from the distribution of handmade cigars, the company is looking forward to a new collaboration with one of the oldest cigar families in the world, with a tradition of over 100 years, in the production of high-quality tobacco for handmade cigars.