Eiroa Dark 11/18 Slated for TAA Release

The Eiroa Dark line is getting a new size that will be an exclusive for retailers that are members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA).

As it has done for past TAA exclusives, CLE Cigar Co. will use the 11/18 vitola, a unique 6 x 48/54/48 perfecto size that the Eiroa family made famous when it owned Camacho. The Eiroa Dark line is made entirely of Honduran corojo tobaccos; the company calls it dark due to the darker color from the higher-priming leaves.

“Because the leaves are higher on the plant, they are richer and once fermented they yield a darker shade,” said Christian Eiroa CLE’s founder, in a letter to retailers when the line was introduced in 2019. “The only appropriate name for these cigars is (Dark) due to their color and the fact we do not add anything to the wrappers to yield these colors.”

The Eiroa Dark 11/18 will have an MSRP of $16.70 per cigar. Production is limited to 500 boxes of 20 cigars for 2023, seemingly opening the door up for a subsequent batch in future years. CLE expects the cigars to ship to TAA stores in May or June.

The TAA is a membership group, which also includes approximately 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 takes place March 26-30 at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic—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, CLE, Crowned Heads, Gurkha, Miami Cigar & Co., My Father, Tatuaje and Villiger Cigars North America have announced their TAA 2023 releases.

Update (May 30, 2023) — The original version of this story incorrectly listed the size for the 11/18.