Gurkha Unveils Colección Especial at TAA 2022

At this week’s gathering of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA), Gurkha Cigar Group unveiled Colección Especial, its newest line that will debut at TAA retailers in June ahead of a more widespread release.

The first size to be released will be a 5 1/4 x 58 figurado that will come with an MSRP of $12.50 per cigar and be offered in eight-count boxes. That size will be limited to members of the TAA and is expected to arrive on shelves in June.

Gurkha will be releasing the Colección Especial to other retailers at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Convention & Trade Show in July, though noted that the number of retailers carrying the line will be limited.

The company declined to answer most questions about the Colección Especial’s line as a whole but did say that it is being made by PDR Cigars.

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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 yesterday and runs until Thursday 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, Crowned Heads, Ferio Tego, Forged Cigar Co., Gurkha, La Flor Dominicana, La Palina and Villiger have announced TAA 2022 releases.