Plasencia’s first-ever cigar for the Tobacconists’ Association of America’s (TAA) Exclusive Series Program is on its way to stores today.

It’s the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Cortez, a 5 3/4 x 56 figurado vitola that uses the Alma del Fuego blend, meaning it is a Nicaraguan puro with a wrapper from Jalapa and tobacco from Ometepe used as one of the two binders and for part of the filler. Unlike many TAA releases from other companies, this will be a regular production item available for TAA retailers, though this first release is limited to 1,500 boxes of 10 cigars.

Pricing is set at $21 per cigar.

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 this year took 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.

Along with Plasencia, CLECrowned Heads, Ferio Tego, Forged Cigar Co., General Cigar Co.Gurkha, J.C. NewmanJoya de Nicaragua, Kristoff, La Palina, Miami Cigar & Co.My Father, Rocky Patel, Quality Importers Trading Co., Quesada, Tatuaje and Villiger Cigars North America have created releases for the TAA this year.

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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 and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, 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.