Diesel Tempest Heads to TAA Stores

Two years ago, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) announced its 2022 release for the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA) Exclusive Series Program as the “Diesel Tempest.” When the cigar began shipping to stores, it had a new name, “Diesel Atonement.” The reason for the switch from Tempest to Atonement was likely due to a trademark issue, as Alec Bradley has long sold a cigar called Tempest.

One way to get around this problem is to change the name, as STG did in 2022. Another way to deal with it is to acquire Alec Bradley, which STG did in 2023.

That’s paved the way for this year’s TAA release from STG: the Diesel Tempest. It’s a 6 x 52 toro that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. Like other Diesel cigars, it is made by AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua.

The MSRP for the 2024 version of Tempest is $10.99 per cigar and production is limited to 1,000 boxes of 10 cigars. They began shipping to stores on Monday, Oct. 21.

“Fans asked for a full-bodied Nicaraguan smoke that balances strength and complexity with a little something extra, and we delivered,” said Justin Andrews, business development manager of STG’s North American Branded and Rest of World divisions, in a press release. “Following up on the success of the Diesel Atonement from years past, we came out with another great chapter in the Diesel saga. It’s our way of letting Diesel retailers and fans know that our story is their story, and it’s a bold one. “

Like the Atonement, the Diesel Tempest is packaged in boxes that look like books.

The TAA is a membership group made up of approximately 80 retailers and roughly 40 manufacturers that 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 is taking place Oct. 20-24 in Aruba—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 (ESP) banner. Those manufacturers agree to give a portion of the proceeds to the organization, a minimum of $1 per cigar, previously 50 cents.

Historically, the TAA Meeting & Convention has taken place in the spring, usually in late March or April. However, due to a change in dates for the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show—which took place in March instead of its normal summertime spot on the calendar—the TAA changed its date for 2024.

So far, CLE, Crowned Heads, E.P. Carrillo, Espinosa, Ferio Tego, Joya de Nicaragua, Kristoff, Miami Cigar & Co., Plasencia, Quesada, STG and Villiger Cigars North America have announced new TAA ESP releases for 2024.