nasty taste....why would this be?

[bobajob]

Yeah, my understanding is that this is why the producers age their tobacco for so long, and for months after the cigars have been rolled, in order for the ammonia to dissipate.

Maybe Horseshoe knows how long he had it resting in his humidor?

Not really. They age the tobacco for so long because that's how long it takes to develop the flavor profiles desired. The ammonia is a simple by product of the breakdown of hydrocarbons as the tobacco ages, and is the reason sticks you are aging should be rotated and turned and the humi opened to the air every so often.

This had a tar issue as well - first time I've ever had that as well. I had to wipe it down and clip more off the head.

Tar is always a symptom of too much heat and moisture: it is produced by the heating of of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. So this stick could have been over humidified, and/or it was burning too hot, causing excessive heating of the tobacco behind the foot leading to pyrolysis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrolysis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrous_pyrolysis

If you want to do a nasty experiment, try getting a stick up to about 80rh or higher for a while and then light it up. Not only will it likely be a tight draw, it will therefore cause you to puff harder/more frequently causing excessive heat...watch that tar flow!