EL BATON CAMEROON LIMITED EDITION FIRECRACKER HEADING TO RETAILERS

The United Cigar and J.C. Newman El Baton Cameroon Firecracker collaboration ships to Firecracker Retailers at the end of the month. This partnership marks the first time J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has created a Firecracker, all in honor of the 60th anniversary of Stanford J. Newman's discovery of Cameroon tobacco.

The El Baton Cameroon Firecracker by J.C. Newman will feature the El Baton band and pay tribute to the rich history and distinctive flavor of Cameroon tobacco. Cameroon, crowned as the jewel of Africa, has captivated cigar aficionados with its rarity, complexity, and unmistakable character.

This special release commemorates the visionary legacy of Stanford J. Newman, a second-generation cigar maker who, in 1965, pioneered the use of Cameroon tobacco in premium cigars. Sixty years later, the El Baton Cameroon Firecracker pays homage to his trailblazing spirit and the rich heritage of this unique tobacco.

The El Baton Cameroon Firecracker started its journey at the renowned J.C. Newman PENSA factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. This limited-edition cigar, measuring 3.5” x 50, features the Firecracker’s iconic fuse cap, first introduced in 2007.

Blended with medium-to-full-bodied, Nicaraguan tobacco grown from some of the most fertile soils in Nicaragua. The cigar will deliver a bold, complex experience that highlights the signature qualities of Cameroon tobacco and the unmistakable Nicaraguan punch. Notes of sweet spice, cocoa, cedar, black pepper, and a touch of dried herbs.

Cameroon tobacco, cultivated in the West African countries of Cameroon and the Central African Republic, is revered for its unique climate and soil that produce its renowned flavor and texture. Its delicate leaves, painstakingly grown and processed, make it one of the most coveted tobaccos in the world. Companies like Arturo Fuente, H. Upmann, La Flor Dominicana, and Partagas have all built legacies around this beautiful wrapper.

This collaboration between United Cigar and J.C. Newman celebrates not just a brand, but the history and artistry of one of the world’s finest tobaccos. Don’t miss the chance to experience the El Baton Cameroon Firecracker, a bold spark of history. This collectible will have a suggested retail of $9 and come in boxes of 20 cigars. Quantities are extremely limited, so be sure to secure your box of this historic release.

Plasencia Alma de Cielo Amancer (Hexágano) (6 x 60)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from cigar-coop.com website)

At the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Plasencia Cigars introduced the latest installment in the Alma series, Alma del Cielo. Alma del Cielo translates to “Soul of the Sky.” It features tobacco grown at elevations over 3,500 feet above sea level. Therefore, Plasencia is calling this the first-ever high-elevation cigar.

The tobacco originates from Finca San Julian in Condega. Melalina Torres, the wife of Don Nestor Plasencia, spent much of her childhood on a family-owned farm that is now known as Finca San Julian, which served as a mountain vacation home. Eventually, Melalina’s father sold the land.

During the Nicaraguan revolution of the 1980s, the Plasencias relocated their farms and operations to Honduras. When they were able to return to Nicaragua in the 1990s, Don Nestor discovered that the farm where his now-wife Melalina had spent her vacations was available for purchase. He acquired the land and gifted it to her.

Finca San Julian is named in honor of Melalina’s father, and tobacco is now grown there. According to Plasencia, the tobacco grown in this field benefits from higher sunlight exposure and cooler climates. In addition, the soil is enriched by an untouched stream that runs through the farm.

As for the Alma del Cielo cigar, it features all Nicaraguan tobacco grown by the Plasencias. The Finca San Julian tobacco makes up one part of the filler. Alma del Cielo comes in three sizes, each in a ten-count box. Plasencia’s six-sided pressed Hexagono, a popular size in the Plasencia Alma Fuerte line, is one of those sizes.

“This cigar is more than a product,” said Don Nestor’s son, Nestor Andres Plasencia, in a press release prior to PCA 2025. “It is a living memory, a symbol of our family, a reflection of our sustainable farming practices, and of nature at its most generous.”

Blend and Origin

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.

Vitolas Offered

Celeste (Robusto): 4 7/8 x 52 (SRP $25.00/cigar)

Boreal (Toro): 6 1/8 x 54 (SRP $27.50/cigar)

Amancer (Hexágano): 6 x 60 (SRP $29.50/cigar) REVIEWED TODAY

The cigar is a nice shade of brown and hexagonal in shape. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus/cedar, brown sugar, tanned leather, and earthiness. There was black pepper rated at 7. Not a lot of significant sweetness. Needs to develop.

At the first third (23 minutes) I had a lot of citrus peel, a little brown sugar, a lot of earthiness, black coffee, and leather. The mix of flavors is not appealing. The finish is leather with a little brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I rated the first third 88.

As I moved through the second third (49 minutes) the cigar developed a lot of bitterness. There is a little citrus peel, very light brown sugar, a lot of earthiness, a lot of bitterness, and a little black coffee. That's not a good sounding mix at all. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is leather with very good lingering black pepper. This blend is not working. And I'm a Plasencia fan. They have some amazing cigars but this is not one of them so far. I rated the second third 84.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 15 minutes. I actually cut the cigar a little short as it was apparent it was not going to improve. I had bitterness, tremendous amount of earthiness, little if any sweetness, and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is leather with bitterness and very good lingering black pepper. If you follow my reviews you know I rarely score below 80 out of respect for the industry. In this case I am due to the lack of appeal of the cigar. I rated the final third 78. For a cigar that costs $29.50 this should be an amazing cigar. Obviously I do not think so. I would save your money on this one.

Overall Score: 83.33

My Father Blue Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from halfwheel.com website)

My Father has shipped the first new line made at the company’s new factory in Honduras.

It’s called My Father Blue, a color the company says was chosen as a nod to Honduras’ flag. Blend-wise, it uses a Connecticut broadleaf rosado wrapper over a Honduran binder and Honduran fillers; the Honduran tobaccos were grown at Finca La Opulencia, which is the García family’s first farm in Honduras. The company describes the blend as “medium to full-bodied.

It’s offered in four box-pressed regular production vitolas:

My Father Blue Petit Robusto (4 1/2 x 50) — $9 (Box of 20, $180)

My Father Blue Robusto (5 1/4 x 54) — $10.50 (Box of 20, $210)

My Father Blue Toro (6 x 54) — $12 (Box of 20, $240) REVIEWED TODAY

My Father Blue Toro Gordo (6 x 60) — $13 (Box of 20, $260)

The García family, which is best known for making cigars at its factories in Estelí, Nicaragua, opened the My Father Honduras factory last year. The family has been growing and harvesting tobacco in Honduras for multiple years ahead of the opening of the rolling operation.

In addition to the factories in Central America, My Father also operates a small rolling operation in Doral, Fla., making it one of just a few companies producing handmade cigars in three countries.

So, why did My Father build a factory in Honduras? I found this on an internet search:

My Father Cigars built a factory in Honduras to diversify their tobacco portfolio and expand their cigar production. They acquired a large farm in Talanga, Honduras, called Finca La Opulencia, where they cultivate tobacco and build a 78,000 square foot factory. This move allows them to produce cigars with a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos, like the My Father Blue line, which features a Connecticut Rosado broadleaf wrapper and tobaccos from their Honduran farm. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Diversification:

The Garcia family, known for their Nicaraguan cigars, sought to diversify their tobacco offerings by including Honduran tobacco in their blends. 

New Farm:

They purchased a large farm in Honduras, named Finca La Opulencia, to cultivate their own Honduran tobacco, specifically Corojo and Criollo varietals. 

Factory Expansion:

A new 78,000 square foot factory, My Father Cigars Honduras, was built on the farm to handle the increased production of cigars using both Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco. 

My Father Blue:

The first cigar line to be produced in the new factory is My Father Blue, which features a blend of Honduran tobacco from their farm and a Connecticut Rosado broadleaf wrapper. 

Commitment to Quality:

The move reflects the Garcia family's commitment to quality and their desire to incorporate different tobacco profiles into their cigars. 

The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Pretty good start.

At the first third (18 minutes) the cigar is burning evenly and the ash is still intact. The notes are nice. Now they are citrus, citrus peel, brown sugar, toffee, light cinnamon, tanned leather, and black coffee. The black pepper is very nice and sprinkled throughout the notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is light toffee and light leather with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite impressive. The notes work well together. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second  third (39 minutes) the citrus peel seems to be taking the lead over the citrus notes. There is very nice amount of brown sugar with some toffee with those notes. There is light cinnamon and the tanned leather has pulled back. There is still some black coffee which has moved up. The predominant notes you'll get are the sweet notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a leathery black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The notes continue to mix well. I held the score of 95.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 3 minutes. The black pepper seems to be better. I'd say it's between 7 1/2 and 8. The notes are about like the were in the last segment. There is a little earthiness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish has a hint of citrus and brown sugar/toffee with some earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar continues to be very good. I held the score of 95. This is a very good cigar. My Father did a good job with the Honduran tobacco.

Overall Score: 95

U.S. Senator Ashley Moody Visits J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Drew Newman, Bobby Newman, Senator Ashley Moody, Liana Fuente, Manny Garcia, and Joshua Habursky.

Yesterday, the Fuente and Newman families welcomed U.S. Senator Ashley Moody to J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida.  They shared their stories as two four-generation, century-old family businesses.  As they walked Sen. Moody through the 115-year-old factory, they explained the art, tradition, and culture of handcrafted premium cigars.  The tour included the Cigar Vault, which houses the world’s largest collection of vintage cigars, the oldest cigars in the world, and the last bale of pre-Embargo Cuban tobacco in the United States.

Joshua Habursky, executive director of the Premium Cigar Association, and Jeff Borysiewicz, former Chairman of Cigar Rights of America and founder and owner of Corona Cigar Co., joined the visit and educated Sen. Moody on the regulatory challenges that the premium cigar industry has been fighting for the past 15 years. 

In January, Sen. Moody was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Marco Rubio when he was confirmed as the Secretary of State.  Sen. Moody is the first person from the Tampa Bay Area to serve in the United States Senate. She shared that she has a deep appreciation for Tampa’s historic cigar tradition.

J.C. Newman’s El Reloj cigar factory is the last traditional cigar factory still operating in the United States.  In addition to rolling 60,000 cigars per day, it operates as a living history museum.  Last year, more than 20,000 people visited its cigar museum, took a guided factory tour, participated in a cigar-rolling class, or attended an event.  El Reloj is the top-ranked museum in Tampa in TripAdvisor.

30 YEARS OF ELEV8TE CIGAR WITH THE ATABEY BLACK DELIRIOS

Luxury meets legacy on August 30th as Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco unveils the Atabey Black Delirios, a masterful 5 ¾ x 55 vitola launch to honor the 30th Anniversary of Elev8te Cigar Lounge in Villa Park, Illinois. This milestone release fuses unmatched technique, rare tobacco, and an aging process like no other, delivering a smoking experience worthy of three decades of cigar culture.

Wrapped in a dark, oily Ecuadorian Maduro leaf, the Atabey Black Delirios conceals a Dominican binder and a thoughtful blend of Dominican and Peruvian fillers. True to Selected Tobacco’s uncompromising standards, each cigar has been aged for five years post-roll in a proprietary environment of five distinct cedar varieties and French oak, with meticulously controlled humidity cycles, allowing the blend to mature into a timeless balance of depth and complexity.

To mark the occasion, ten cigars with personalized foot bands will be presented in each commemorative humidor, designed exclusively for this celebration. This collectible set not only preserves the artistry of each cigar but also serves as a lasting tribute to Elev8te’s remarkable journey in the world of premium tobacco. Each of the 300 humidors produced will come with a numbered plaque. The Atabey Black Delirios will have an MSRP of $50, with the complete commemorative ten-count humidor set available for $500.

“Thirty years in, we’re still just getting started. The Atabey Black Delirios is our victory cigar, created with the same passion, patience, and by a master in our industry,” shared Matthew Farokhian, Sam and Mike Khalil, owners of Elev8te Cigar Lounge. “Our passion for cigars shaped our journey. Light one up, and you’re part of our celebration.”

The anniversary festivities at Elev8te Cigar Lounge begin on August 30th, at the 250-person sold-out event, where the Atabey Black Delirios will make its debut in an evening of elegance and world-class cigars.

Two Guys Smoke Shop Continues 40th Celebration With Exclusive Release of the Casa Carrillo Endure Corona Gorda — Featuring Special Guest Jorge Maique

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, Two Guys Smoke Shop continues its year-long 40th Anniversary celebration in grand style with the exclusive release of the Casa Carrillo Endure Corona Gorda — a limited-production extension of the acclaimed Endure line.

Measuring 6" x 46, the Endure Corona Gorda is a rare treat for cigar aficionados, marking the first time in decades that Casa Carrillo has used authentic African Cameroon wrappers from the legendary Meerapfel family. Soft-box pressed for an elegant feel, the Endure pairs its exotic wrapper with an all-Nicaraguan blend, hand-crafted at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Casa Carrillo factory in the Dominican Republic.

This special release will be available starting at 10AM EST on launch day August 28th at all Two Guys Smoke Shop locations and online at 2GuysCigars.com, priced at $18.29 per single or $159.99 per box of 10. Quantities are limited.

The celebration doesn’t stop there. Jorge Maique, General Manager of Casa Carrillo, will make a rare United States appearance for a three-day tour of Two Guys Smoke Shop:

• Thursday, August 28 – Seabrook, NH | 1 pm – 5 pm

• Friday, August 29 – Nashua, NH | 1 pm – 5 pm

• Saturday, August 30 – Salem, NH | 10 am – Noon

• Followed by a LIVE broadcast of The Cigar Authority from Noon–2pm upstairs.

Maique is no stranger to cigar royalty. The former President of Habanos S.A. in Cuba, he is celebrated as the blender and creator of the world-renowned Cuban Cohiba Behike. His deep history and expertise make this an unmissable event for cigar lovers.

Guests will have the chance to meet and mingle with Maique, purchase the new Endure, and also enjoy the Encore Black Bulwarks — a stunning new 6" x 58 Figurado — along with the other Encore Black vitola available for this special occasion.

“This is more than a cigar launch,” said David Garofalo, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop. “It’s a piece of cigar history — a blend that bridges continents, traditions, and legends — and we’re thrilled to share it with our customers.”

Davidoff Maduro Robusto (5 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

In April 2024, Davidoff brought back its Davidoff Maduro line, which had previously been off the market for just about eight years.

Davidoff first introduced the Maduro in 2008, though it was discontinued in 2016 as part of a portfolio trimming that included parts of its Puro d’Oro and Aniversarion lines, as well as the Davidoff Classic No. 1 and No. 3; Grand Cru No. 1 and No. 4; and the Millennium Blend Lancero and Lonsdale.

Its return was first made by way of it being an auction item at the 2024 Procigar Festival in the Dominican Republic. The company contributed one of its Monolith Humidors, a container made from a single piece of moca creme limestone with an odorless wood interior, likely okume wood. Inside that humidor were 120 of the Davidoff Maduro Toro. The item sold for $35,000 during the festival’s auction.

The Davidoff Maduro returns with a new blend, using an Ecuadorian maduro wrapper, a Mexican binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic. Getting more into the details, Davidoff says it “doubled the fermentation period of Maduro’s wrapper leaf, thus creating a natural temperature increase in the fermentation pile tailored to the leaf.” That extended the time period to 16 months in total. Additionally, the wrapper is described as a higher-priming “Corte #7” leaf, meaning it is higher up on the plant and receives more sunlight, which also tends to mean an increased flavor and strength profile.

“Time makes all the difference in our new Maduro line. We refrain from adding any external heat sources and allow nature and time to perfect the leaves in our expertly maintained fermentation pile,” said Edward Simon, chief marketing officer at Oettinger Davidoff, in a press release last month. “This labour- and time-intensive process, accompanied by extensive testing and followed by a long ageing phase, has resulted in a wonderfully refined cigar with a flavour profile and body that will be highly sought-after in the market. I am sure that our new Maduro, in which we have invested so much dedication and knowledge, will fill our aficionados’ time beautifully.”

The cigar is dark and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were sort of an apricot but it seems watered down. There was also chocolate and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. The cigar needs to develop it's flavors. 

At the first third (23 minutes) the apricot is even lighter and there's a lot of black coffee. There's also chocolate but it seems to be a baker's chocolate with little sweetness. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is chocolate with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is on the edge with me. I rated the first third 90.

As I moved through the second third (42 minutes) I am both surprised and confused with this cigar. There is a minimal amount of sweetness which could be called apricot, a lot of unsweetened chocolate, and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. For a cigar of this price it should have an abundance of nice flavors but this one doesn't. I rated the second  third 86.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 12 minutes. In the final third there was a very minimal amount of sweetness with a lot of unsweetened chocolate and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied and the finish is unchanged. This cigar lost me. I rated the final third 82. I expected so much more from this cigar.

Overall Score: 86

New World Decenio Toro (6 1/2 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

The latest cigar from AJ Fernandez is now in stores.

It’s the New World Decenio, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of New World. Blend-wise, it uses a Mexican wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua.

Decenio—the Spanish word for decade—is offered in three vitolas:

New World Decenio Robusto (5 1/2 x 54) — $12.50 (Box of 20, $250)

New World Decenio Toro (6 1/2 x 54) — $14 (Box of 20, $280) REVIEWED TODAY

New World Decenio Gordo (6 x 58) — $15 (Box of 20, $300)

“We’re very excited to release Decenio because New World is a staple of the AJ Fernandez Portfolio brands and we wanted to honor its legacy,” said Jadilah Fernández in a press release. “My dad (Abdel) strives to continually challenge what people expect from him while remaining true both to himself and blending style, and we hope Decenio will become an instant classic for fans of AJ Fernandez.”

Decenio is made at the company’s San Lotano factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.

The cigar is dark and well made. It is box pressed and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were pear, apple, brown sugar, light cinnamon, and a lot of straight black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 8 1/2. Nice start.

At the first third (22 minutes) I had a sweet, tart pear, brown sugar, and a lot of black coffee which could be called espresso since it's so bold. The sweet notes have decreased from the light up. They are trying to keep up with the black coffee but can't. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.

As I moved through the second third (53 minutes) the black coffee continues to be stout and slowly increasing. The sweet notes are nice but they can't match the black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 25 minutes. The sweetness is quite faint while the black coffee has elevate even more. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The black pepper is still hovering around 7 1/2 to 8. So, the cigar has a lot of black coffee and black pepper with minimal to modest sweetness. I had high hopes for this cigar but it missed the mark in a lot of ways. I rated the final third 90.

Overall Score: 91.67

Black Label Trading Company announces the release of Triforium as an Oak Glen Tobacconist exclusive

Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the release of Triforium as an Oak Glen Tobacconist exclusive. The cigar is hand-crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua. 

“I’m honored to be making the Anniversary Cigar for Oak Glen Tobacconist. 

They have been great supporters of all things Oveja Negra from the start.  

The Triforium is rich, dark and elegant. This cigar is all about balance. The earthy, dark fruit notes are highlighted by a subtle floral aroma. The long finish is a beautiful mix of bittersweet cocoa and mild peppery spice,” said James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. 

TRIFOIUM will be available at Oak Glen Tobacconist.  

Blend and Origin:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua 

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro 

Binder: Ecuadorian Habano 

Filler: Nicaragua 

Toro – 6 x 50 (10 count pack) MSRP $11.50

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of OGT Cigars by releasing an exclusive from one of our favorite brands, Black Label Trading Company. This is something we have been wanting to do for some time and the stars finally aligned! James is a genius when it comes to blending and this cigar is nothing short of perfection, full bodied and bursting with flavor. Triforium will be featured in our OGT Cigar Society Club. We wish everyone to have the opportunity to immerse their palate in the masterpiece of Triforium. I hope you enjoy,” stated Eric Drazin, owner of Oak Glen Tobacconist. 

Perdomo Honors Two Guys Smoke Shop with 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Cigar

In celebration of Two Guys Smoke Shop’s 40th Anniversary, industry legends Nick Perdomo of Perdomo Cigars and David Garofalo, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop, have teamed up to create a truly special cigar: the Perdomo Two Guys 40th Anniversary Limited Edition — a tribute to 40 years of passion, perseverance, and premium cigars.

Crafted by legendary cigar maker Nick Perdomo, this exclusive Figurado was blended to honor both Two Guys Smoke Shop and its founder, David Garofalo. The Perdomo Two Guys 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Cigar features a 4.75” x 56 Figurado shape, showcasing a carefully selected Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper over bold Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, delivering the signature strength and complexity Perdomo is known for.

Only 400 boxes have been produced, each containing 10 cigars in beautiful commemorative packaging. The cigars will be priced at $12.99 per cigar, $109.99 per box of 10, or a special deal of 2 boxes of 10 for $200.

"This cigar is more than a celebration—it’s a thank you," said David Garofalo, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop. "To have Nick Perdomo craft something in our honor means the world to us. It’s a fitting tribute to the customers, friends, and industry partners who’ve supported us for the past 40 years.”

“This cigar is a heartfelt tribute to David and the incredible impact Two Guys Smoke Shop has had on the cigar world over the last four decades,” said Nick Perdomo, President and CEO of Perdomo Cigars. “We’re honored to be part of this milestone.”

The Perdomo Two Guys 40th Anniversary Limited Edition will be available starting This Friday, August 8th at 10am EST exclusively at Two Guys Smoke Shop Salem, Seabrook, and Nashua, NH, as well as online at www.2GuysCigars.com.

Diamond Crown Tampa (6 1/2 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by JC Newman cigar company)

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. launched Diamond Crown Tampa at the Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge at Corona Cigar Co. in Tampa, Florida. The event took place on Tuesday, which marked the 138th birthday of the City of Tampa. In celebration, Eric, Bobby, and Drew Newman, along with Jeff and Tanya Borysiewicz, hosted a party featuring Diamond Crown Tampa cigars and a birthday cake designed as an edible replica of the cigar box.

Diamond Crown Tampa is the first cigar rolled by Tabacalera A. Fuente with Florida Sun Grown tobacco grown by the Borysiewiczes in Clermont, Florida. It is a 6.5 x 52 Toro with a Connecticut Shade wrapper, and binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Florida. The suggested retail price is $30 per cigar.

Tampa was built by the cigar industry, and Diamond Crown Tampa pays tribute to the city’s legacy as Cigar City. The packaging features many of Tampa’s famous landmarks, including the Tampa Theatre, Plant Hall, Bayshore Boulevard, the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship, and J.C. Newman’s iconic El Reloj cigar factory.

Diamond Crown Tampa is available at Corona Cigar Co. locations in Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota, the J.C. Newman Factory Store in the Ybor City historic cigar district, and at Visit Tampa Bay’s retail store in Downtown Tampa.

The cigar is golden brown and has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were lime, brown sugar, tanned leather, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Pretty nice start.

At the first third (26 minutes) I still had the lime and brown sugar and a lot of earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is coming across as being on the light side. It has nice sweet notes and a lot of dark notes. I rated the first third 92.

As I moved through the second third (58 minutes) the cigar stayed fairly consistent. I had the same notes in about the same percentages. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. This is a lighter version of a Diamond Crown. I held the score of 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 35 minutes. The earthiness rose considerably along with the black coffee while the sweet notes greatly decreased. The cigar is still medium bodied and the finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 89. There is just too much earthiness and black coffee. The first two thirds were pretty consistent but the cigar fell off in the final third.

Overall Score: 91