Cigar Review: Timeless TAA 2022

For an outsider looking in, Michael Herklots was becoming the face of the TAA. He would serve as Emcee for numerous years during the Dream Machine event which was the TAA Trade Show aspect of the convention. In 2022, he returned to the TAA as a brand owner that saw his company Ferio Tego release Timeless TAA 2022. Made at the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua the limited edition smoke utilizes all Nicaraguan tobacco. The 10 count bundles are limited to a production of 700 units.

According to Michael Herklots, “The 2020 TAA Limited was launched just as the nation went into lock down. So much has happened over these last two years. This year’s Timeless TAA 2022 is largely inspired by the 2020 blend, utilizing very special tobaccos from Nicaragua, filler tobaccos and a binder from the Jalapa region and a wrapper from Esteli. We worked closely with the Plasencias to create complexity and nuance, but also vivaciousness. The result is a blend experience that is savory but also full of life… perfect for 2022 and looking towards a bright future.”

Cigar Review: Timeless TAA 2022
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Toro

The Look: Following in the footsteps of the 2020 release the Timeless TAA comes packaged in a bundle. The cigar features a black and gray Timeless band with a secondary band utilizing the same colors denoting TAA Limited Edition with the year 2022 in red. A third band of gold and black denotes Exclusively for Ferio Tego. The dark wrapper has a subtle brindle effect to it with a subtle amount of oils. In the hand the cigar is firm with an above average weight.

The Notes: The cold draw offers up a subtle cocoa sweetness with hints of fudge along side touches of wood and earth. The aroma from the foot is earthy with a subtle sweetness. Before we even light up I have high hopes for this cigar. Once toasted and lit the initial notes are a subtle maple sweetness.

Smoking the first third of the limited edition Timeless TAA 2022 the cigar has a definitive Nicaraguan profile and on the blind I believe it would easy to identify it as Plasencia made. As the maple sweetness from the initial draw pull back hints of red pepper, mocha and nuts envelope the palate. As we approach the end of first third pecans and walnuts dominate the palate while the retrohale has some citrus components added to the mix along the line of tangerines.

The second third still has some subtle maple sweetness hanging around, but it also develops a leather component with a rich coffee finish. As we cross over the halfway point the cigar has a long leathery finish with hints of Turkish coffee. The retrohale is loaded black pepper along with hints of rye.

The final third sees the leather notes tone down a bit as the nuttiness returns with a hint of baking spices and charred oak. The finish is still fairly long with coffee being dominant while the retrohale continues to serve up black pepper and rye.

The Finish: Knowing Michael Herklots history with Davidoff and Nat Sherman this cigar caught me off guard. It was by far the strongest cigar I can recall him ever being associated with. It was rich, dark, tasty and extremely enjoyable. Something I would love to revisit again with some more age on them. They are very good now and I wouldn’t be surprise to call these great in another 6-12 months on them.

Score: 91
Price: $14.99 / $149.99