Each Spring, the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) meets to address the issues that face the cigar industry. This mini trade show is only open to the top 80 retailers in the country. In addition to retailers, many manufacturers attend the gathering as well with some such as Nat Sherman creating a cigar exclusively for the members of the TAA.
The stick was originally made as an exclusive for the Nat Sherman Townhouse in 2014. In 2015 the cigar was released in three sizes for the TAA with a line extension introduced at this years meeting.
When the cigar was originally released Michael Herklots of Nat Sherman wrote “This new expression of Nat Sherman is sensationally complex in flavor, achieving great balance by tempering the Costa Rican tobacco’s unique attributes with three different Nicaraguan tobaccos. We’ve been tweaking this blend for two years, and the final product was well worth the time and effort.”
Cigar Review: Nat Sherman Panamericana
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Length: 5 Inches
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Epicure (Robusto)
Strength: Medium-Full
The Look: Packaged in slide top cabinet style boxes consisting of 10 cigars, the Nat Sherman Panamericana comes individually wrapped in cello. The cigars feature a gorgeous chestnut colored Sumatra wrapper that has a nice amount of visible oils. The band offers shades of red and green and denotes Nat Sherman New York in the center. In the hand the cigar is firm, and the foot is well packed while the cigar itself is rolled to perfection.
The Notes: Upon cutting my cigar, the initial cold draw of the cigar reminded me very much of wine which is something I have begun to appreciate recently often choosing a Merlot or Malbec instead of my customary glass of rum to close the day. The initial notes are a bit drying like the tannins that are found in wine. There are elements of dry wood, berries and a touch of saltiness as well. The foot of the cigar is woody with a faint hint of berries present as well.
Once the cigar is lit with my Vertigo Intimidator the initial notes of wood and pepper jump out with the latter enhanced ten-fold on the retrohale. It’s quite obvious this isn’t your grandfathers Nat Sherman cigar as elements of leather join the mix with an aroma that is reminiscent of a full bodied wine. As the first third comes to a close some berry like notes make an appearance on this cigar with a dry finish.
In the second third of the TAA Exclusive Panamericana the berry notes that close out the first third come and go with an abundance of wood and pepper that continues to intensify on the retrohale. As the second third comes to a close a hint of Turkish coffee begins to develop right down to the gritty texture.
On the last third of the cigar the notes of Turkish Coffee really take hold of the cigar. In the background there are subtle notes of berry with a lengthy woody finish. On the retrohale the cigar continues to offer notes of white pepper but the cigar has an aroma that is reminiscent of a graham cracker.
The Burn: The Nat Sherman Panamericana doesn’t produce a lot of smoke until you get down to the last third when smoke production seems to be turned up a few notches. The draw of the cigar is perfect and the burn line while slightly off kilter is even throughout the cigar. The light to medium ash is firm and the cigar lasted me for almost 2 hours.
The Finish: We are all familiar with the Nat Sherman classic lines like Metropolitan and Host however the company changed dramatically with the hiring of Michael Herklots. With cigars like the Timeless and Panamericana, Nat Sherman has entered the modern age of cigars and the results couldn’t be more pleasing.
Score: 92
Price: $10.69 / $94.99
Nat Sherman Panamericana TAA
Nat Sherman Panamericana TAA Foot
Nat Sherman Panamericana TAA Burn
Nat Sherman Panamericana TAA Finish
