Kristoff TAA Exclusive 2023 Slated for May Release

After a one-year hiatus from the TAA Exclusive Series Program, this year Kristoff will have an all-new exclusive cigar for retailers that are members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA).

The Kristoff TAA Exclusive 2023 is a 6 1/4 x 60 vitola that the company calls a “cut perfecto.” It uses an Ecuadorian shade-grown wrapper over a binder from Nicaragua and four Dominican fillers. Like many Kristoff cigars, it is being made at Tabacalera von Eicken, the factory formerly known as Charles Fairmorn.

Each cigar has an MSRP of $13 and production is limited to 1,000 boxes of 20 cigars. Kristoff says the cigars are expected to ship to TAA retailers in May.

“The TAA Exclusive redefines the meaning of a full-flavored, mild cigar,” said Glen Case, Kristoff’s founder, in an email to halfwheel. “Made with a pristine Ecuadorian shade grown wrapper, this cigar delivers notes of vanilla, delicate notes of spice, cream and a sweet nutty finish.”

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, Ferio Tego, Gurkha, Joya de Nicaragua, Kristoff, Miami Cigar & Co., My Father, Rocky Patel, Quality Importers Trading Co., Tatuaje and Villiger Cigars North America have announced their TAA 2023 releases.

Patrick Lagreid contributed to this story.

Correction (March 25, 2023) — The original version of this story indicated the cigars came in 10-count boxes, when they are offered in 20-count boxes.