In 2020, Villiger Cigars would release its first exclusive cigar to the Tobacconists Association of America (TAA). Globally, Villiger is one of the larger tobacco companies in the world and has primarily focused on machine-made products. The company does also make premium handmade cigars. For many years, Villiger has also sold its products in the U.S. market. On one hand, some people might be surprised by Villiger’s inclusion in the TAA Exclusive Series because it hasn’t had the easiest time building a footprint for premium handmade cigars in the U.S. market. On the other hand, this is still a tobacco giant and thus it shouldn’t be a surprise Villiger is a part of the TAA Exclusive Series. Today we take a closer look at Villiger’s inaugural release for the TAA, the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020.

The TAA Exclusive Series consists of cigars made by leading manufacturers that are exclusively sold at TAA member retailers. The TAA is a small group of retailers. At press time the number of retailers is approximately 80. The TAA has defined itself as:

The Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. By providing education, communication, research, advocacy, and member discount programs, The TAA works with our members and the industry they support to offer the tools and relationship building opportunities needed to maximize professionalism and success.

There are 12 cigars released for 2020 as a part of the TAA Exclusive Series:

• AJ Fernandez Belles Artes Maduro Figurado
• Brick House Ciento por Ciento 6 1/4 x 54 (Return from 2019)
• CAO Expedición
• CLE 25th Anniversary 11/18
• Encore 656 by E.P. Carrillo
• Kristoff San Andrés Box-Pressed Toro TAA 2020
• La Aurora TAA Exclusivo
• My Father The Judge TAA Exclusive
• Rocky Patel TAA Exclusivo 2020
• Tatuaje TAA 2020
• Timeless TAA 2020 (Nat Sherman)
• Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020

There were four additional TAA Cigars that were announced but never released in 2020. While it was never explicitly stated, the reasons were most likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Crowned Heads release was effectively postponed indefinitely while the La Flor Dominicana and La Palina releases will be a part of the 2021 TAA Exclusive Series.

• Crowned Heads Lost Angel 2020
• La Flor Dominicana TAA 52nd Oro Tecera Edición 6 1/2 x 58 Chisel Natural
• La Flor Dominicana TAA 52nd Oro Tecera Edición 6 1/2 x 58 Chisel Maduro
• La Palina White Label 6 x 50

As mentioned above, this is Villiger’s first TAA release, but another one is planned for 2021

• 2020: Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020
• 2021: Villiger TAA Exclusive 2021

Without further ado, let’s break down the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

While Villiger does have its own production facilities for premium cigars, the company works with other factories to produce some of its premium lines. In the case of the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020, the cigar is being made at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic. The TAA Exclusive 2020 features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers.

Wrapper: Sumatra Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza

Vitolas Offered

The Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 comes in one size – a box-pressed 6 x 54 Toro. The cigars are presented in 20-count boxes.

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper of the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 had a medium to dark brown color with a Colorado-red tint. There wasn’t much in the way of oil on the surface. There were some visible veins, but the wrapper seams well not very noticeable. The surface of the wrapper wasn’t bumpy. As for the box-pressed, it was a square-is press that had a slightly soft Cuban-press style to it.

The upper part of the band has a white background surrounded by gold red trim. The center portion of the band has a semi-circle shape to it. Sitting on that semicircle is the Villiger coat of arms – and just below that is the text “VILLIGER” in gold font. The lower portion of the band has a red background. Sitting on that portion of the band is the text “TAA EXCLUSIVE 2020” in gold font with red trim. The upper and lower portions of the band are separated by gold, red, and white stripes.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

A straight cut was used to commence the cigar experience of the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw ritual. The cold draw delivered notes of earth and natural tobacco. There were also hints of fruit and sweetness. Overall this was a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this time, it was on to lighting up the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 and see what the smoking experience would bring to the table.

Tasting Notes

The Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 started out with notes of natural tobacco, wood, mixed, pepper, and stone fruit. The natural tobacco and stone fruit moved into the forefront. The wood, pepper, and stone fruit notes receded into the background. During this phase, the wood notes took on a mesquite quality. The mesquite was very subtle and didn’t have a “fire-cured” taste to it. Meanwhile, there was an additional layer of pepper on the retro-hale.

During the second third, the natural tobacco remained grounded in the forefront. The mesquite wood notes occasionally popped into the forefront. The pepper and fruit notes also remained in the background. There was a gradual increase in the pepper. At the same time, some earth notes also emerged in the background.

The final third of the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 saw the earth and pepper notes join the natural tobacco note. There were still notes of stone fruit and mesquite wood in the background rounding out the flavor profile. This is the way the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 came to a close. The resulting nub was cool in temperature and soft to the touch.

Burn

The Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 had a jagged burn from time to time and this required some touch-ups. While the touch-ups kept the burn on track, there were more touch-ups than I prefer. The resulting ash was slightly loose and slightly flaky.  The ash itself had a mostly silver-gray color to it. As for the burn temperature and burn rate, both were ideal.

Draw

The draw performed very nicely for the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020. For a box-press, I liked how it had a touch of resistance to it – this made for an ideal draw. At the same time, this was still a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength and body of the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020, both fall into the medium range of intensity for each attribute. There was a nominal increase in the intensity level along the way, but in the end, the cigar still was in the medium strength, medium-bodied ranges.

When looking at strength versus body, there was a slight edge to the body during the smoking experience.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

One thing that I can say about the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020 cigar is this is nothing like I’ve seen the Villiger brand put out before. As for the Tabacalera La Alianza factory, it definitely has not produced a cookie cutter blend. This cigar had a somewhat unique flavor combination. At times I thought the flavors worked well together, and at other times it did not. Complexity-wise there definitely was enough that kept me interested. In the end, there was still enough for me to recommend this cigar to either the novice or seasoned cigar enthusiast (I’m more inclined to recommend to the latter). As for myself, this is a cigar that I would buy and smoke again. At the same time, when it comes to the Villiger TAA Exclusive 2020, I still can’t help but go back to my general opinion of the TAA Exclusive releases – they fall short of being “the best of the best”.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Stone Fruit, Mesquite Wood, Earth, Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Buy One
Score: 89

References

News: Villiger to Release First TAA Cigar in 2020
Price: $9.00
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: Villiger

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop