Kristoff Adds San Andrés Box-Pressed Toro for TAA 2020
Kristoff has unveiled its contribution to the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA) Exclusive Series Program for 2020, a box-pressed toro for its San Andrés line.
The cigar will come packed in 20-count boxes, with single cigars having an MSRP of $9.80. Just 500 boxes are being produced for the release, with shipping slated to begin in May. While the company has not announced the specific dimensions, other toros in the Kristoff portfolio have measured 6 1/4 x 54.
As for the blend, it features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over an Ecuadorian habano seed binder and a Nicaraguan habano seed filler. It is currently offered in three regular production sizes, a Robusto (5 1/2 x 54), Churchill (7 x 50) and a 6 x 60. The line is produced at the Charles Fairmorn factory in the Dominican Republic.
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 convention, the organization hosts two distinct selling events. One is known as the Dream Machine, an optional event where manufacturers offer the entire group of retailers tiered specials and discounts. The more the group collectively agrees to buy, the better the discounts and deals are for every retailer involved. In addition, the week includes a more traditional trade show which oftentimes sees some of the most aggressive discounts of the year.
This year’s meeting was supposed to take place this week but was postponed due to coronavirus and then canceled. Instead, the group met via an online platform on Wednesday where retailers had the opportunity to place orders.
Some of that buying included at least 14 new exclusives for TAA members from the following manufacturers.
- A.J. Fernandez
- CLE
- Crowned Heads
- Drew Estate
- E.P. Carrillo
- Kristoff
- La Aurora
- La Flor Dominicana
- La Palina
- My Father
- Nat Sherman International
- Rocky Patel
- Tatuaje
- Villiger
Patrick Lagreid
I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.
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