![the next big thing tampa 2015 the next big thing tampa 2015](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a0/a9/77/a0a9772e85e0d9f7ea022f9f99aca8a1.jpg)
Flavor is a sold medium, while both the body and strength are in tandem at a point just under medium.
![the next big thing tampa 2015 the next big thing tampa 2015](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5784/31079053225_d058310b7b_b.jpg)
![the next big thing tampa 2015 the next big thing tampa 2015](https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/sites/sbs.com.au.popasia/files/bts-85_0.jpg)
Secondary notes of hay, leather tack, sourdough bread, nutmeg allspice and a slight pencil lead flavor flit in and out at various points, while black pepper and cherry sweetness are noticeable on the retrohale. There is also a bit of spice on my tongue, but it becomes less and less noticeable as the first third burns down. The profile starts with starts out with black pepper and earth-along with a bit of mushroom-which transforms into the main flavors of creamy oak and ground coffee. After a straight cut, the cold draw brings flavors of creamy oak, freshly brewed coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper, dark cherry sweetness and a small amount of varnish. Notes from the foot are more distinct and include more wood-strong enough to identify as oak-espresso beans, powdery cocoa nibs, black pepper and sweet cherries. Aromas from the wrapper include light notes of sweet but generic wood, manure, hay, leather, earth and dark fruit. However, after a physical inspection, I find a soft spot on each of the three cigars: one located just under main band, while the other two are located near the cap of the cigar. Black Robusto looks: the dark brown wrapper is velvety smooth to the touch while exhibiting a noticeable amount of oil as well as a number of smaller veins. Number of Cigars Released: Regular ProductionĪt first glance, there is plenty to love about how the West Tampa Tobacco Co.Cigar Reviewed: West Tampa Tobacco Co.Black cigars began shipping to retailers on June 20 packaged in 20-count boxes. Decades later, Rick has been recognized as a cigar master in his own right.īoth the Black and White lines debuted in the same three vitolas. He soon found himself studying at the right hand of industry legends, most notably Benji Menendez who freely transferred his knowledge to Rick. So, when the opportunity to work in the cigar business knocked, Rick was quick to answer. His grandparent’s stories of Havana and Cuban cigars in their heyday were never far from Rick’s mind. Growing up in West Tampa, in the shadow of the once-bustling cigar factories, taught Rick the value of hard work and instilled in him grit and determination. Their love of tobacco skipped a generation, gathering momentum when it was awakened in their beloved grandson Rick. shores, seeking to capitalize on the booming cigar business of West Tampa, Florida. They left behind the glamour of Havana for U.S. The seed for West Tampa Tobacco Company was planted in 1953, when Rick Rodriguez’s grandparents, both highly respected master cigar rollers, heeded the call of the U.S. The binder used for the Black line is also different from the White-a Nicaraguan binder from the volcanic island of Ometepe-while the fillers come from Nicaragua’s Condega and Estelí regions. In terms of blend, the White incorporates an Ecuadorian habano wrapper covering Nicaraguan binder and filler, while the Black also uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, but from a higher priming to give it a darker color and stronger flavor. and the first releases are simply named Black and White, both of which are being made at the Garmendia Cigars Co. That company is named West Tampa Tobacco Co. So it was no great surprise when Rick Rodriguez-who left his job at CAO in March, where he was a blender and ambassador-announced he would be starting a brand new company with a fellow former employee of General Cigar Co., Gus Martinez, who is serving as the new company’s president. There is no dearth of examples when it comes to people in cigars leaving jobs at one company only to strike out and launch their own brand in the industry: Steve Saka left Drew Estate to start Dunbarton Cigar and Trust, Jon Huber and Mike Conder left CAO to found Crowned Heads and Michael Herklots and Brendon Scott started Ferio Tego after being long-time employees at Nat Sherman.