Cigar news;
General Cigar Co.’s release for TAA members will be a CAO.
Later this month, the company will offer the CAO Estelí as an exclusive to retail members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA).
The CAO Estelí is a single 6 x 54 size using a wrapper from Jalapa, Nicaragua, binder from Honduras and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Production is limited to 1,500 boxes of 10 cigars with pricing set at $8.99 per cigar. It is expected to begin shipping on Aug. 15.
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.
This year the TAA celebrates its 50th anniversary with the annual meeting kicking off April 29 at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.