Plasencia Alma del Fuego Cortez Named Company’s First TAA Exclusive

For the first time in its history, Plasencia 1865 is releasing a cigar that will be only be sold at retailers that are members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA).

It’s called the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Cortez, a 5 3/4 x 56 figurado version of the Alma del Fuego blend. Blend-wise, it’s the same as the other Alma del Fuego sizes, meaning it is made entirely of Nicaraguan tobacco, including a wrapper from Jalapa and tobacco from Ometepe used as one of the two binders and for part of the filler. The Cortez will have an MSRP of $21 per cigar and will come in boxes of 10.

Plasencia 1865 says this cigar will be a regular production item available for TAA retailers, though the first shipment will contain 1,500 boxes. A release date has not been announced.

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 this week, 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, Forged Cigar Co., General Cigar Co., Gurkha, J.C. Newman, Joya de Nicaragua, Kristoff, La Palina, Miami Cigar & Co., My Father, Plasencia 1865, Rocky Patel, Quality Importers Trading Co., Quesada, Tatuaje and Villiger Cigars North America have announced their TAA 2023 releases.

Patrick Lagreid contributed to this article.