Asylum 13 11/18 Designated as TAA 2022 Exclusive

This year’s TAA exclusive from Asylum/CLE will be the Asylum 13 blend in the signature 11/18 size developed by the Eiroa family.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because there was the Asylum 13 Super 11/18—a larger version of the shape—but this cigar is the regular 11/18 size, a unique perfecto that measures 6 x 48/54/48. For context, the Super 11/18 size was 8 x 60/70/60. While there was an Asylum 13 Super 11/18 and many other Asylum cigars in the regular 11/18 vitola, this is the first time the Asylum 13 has been offered in this size. The Asylum 13 blend is a Nicaraguan puro that is capped off by a habano wrapper. It is produced at The CLE Factory in Danlí, Honduras.

There will be just 500 boxes of 25 cigars made for retailers who are members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA). The MSRP is set at $9 and it will begin shipping in four weeks according to Christian Eiroa.

The TAA is a fairly small group of some of the country’s top tobacconists, about 80 retailers, as well as 40 or so manufacturers. The association gathers annually to discuss issues facing the industry and retailers, as well as to have its annual trade show, a unique event that works on a group buying format in order to secure exclusive deals for these generally high-volume merchants.

During the event—which began Sunday and ends today in Cabo San Lucas—the organization holds two selling events, one known as the Dream Machine where the retailers collectively order to secure larger discounts, while the other is a more traditional trade show. Typically, around a dozen manufacturers release new exclusive cigars for the retail members of the organization under the TAA Exclusive Series Program banner. Those manufacturers agree to give a portion of the proceeds to the organization, a minimum of 50 cents per cigar.

So far, Asylum, Crowned Heads, Ferio Tego, Forged Cigar Co., Gurkha, Illusione, La Flor Dominicana, La Palina, Tatuaje and Villiger have announced TAA 2022 releases.

Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Inc. has told halfwheel that it will have a TAA release for 2022 but that many of the details about the cigar are still being finalized and are subject to change.