E.P. Carrillo Announces TAA 2022 Release

E.P. Carrillo has confirmed the details of its upcoming release for the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA), a group of about 80 of the country’s top cigar retailers.

The E.P. Carrillo TAA 2022 is a 6 x 52 toro and has a blend that uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The company is producing 750 boxes of 10 cigars, meaning just 7,500 total cigars, each one coming with an MSRP of $10.

The company expects the cigars to ship in June.

The TAA, which also includes approximately 40 manufacturers, 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 occurred last week 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.