The Circle of Life was announced by West Tampa Tobacco Co. in March 2024 at the PCA Convention & Trade Show, originally scheduled to ship in May 2024, but boxes did not actually begin to show up on retailers' shelves until January 2025. The blend features an Ecuadorian habano oscuro wrapper, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos grown in Nicaragua's Condega, Estelí and Jalapa regions, as well as some Dominican corojo 99. Circle of Life marks the first time that West Tampa Tobacco Co. has had cigars made by the Casa Carrillo factory in the Dominican Republic, reuniting Rick Rodriguez with his former mentor Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., who trained Rodriguez during his time at General Cigar Co. Rodriguez has often cited Perez-Carrillo Jr. as one of his key mentors and teachers.
The Circle of Life's journey begins with earthy richness and a peppery spark, complemented by the sweetness of Dominican Corojo '99. The mid-body unveils complexity—nuanced spice, creamy undertones, and woody notes—while the finish culminates in a satisfying balance of strength and smooth, lingering flavor. This blend represents the result of lifelong friendships, passionate craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence, delivering a vibrant, modern interpretation of classic cigar making. Circle of Life is described as an opulent, intense oscuro made for after-dinner pairings, jam-packed with dark flavors and Sumatran spices.
The Circle of Life was announced by West Tampa Tobacco Co. in March 2024 at the PCA Convention & Trade Show, originally scheduled to ship in May 2024, but boxes did not actually begin to show up on retailers' shelves until January 2025. The blend features an Ecuadorian habano oscuro wrapper, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos grown in Nicaragua's Condega, Estelí and Jalapa regions, as well as some Dominican corojo 99. Circle of Life marks the first time that West Tampa Tobacco Co. has had cigars made by the Casa Carrillo factory in the Dominican Republic, reuniting Rick Rodriguez with his former mentor Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., who trained Rodriguez during his time at General Cigar Co. Rodriguez has often cited Perez-Carrillo Jr. as one of his key mentors and teachers.
The Circle of Life's journey begins with earthy richness and a peppery spark, complemented by the sweetness of Dominican Corojo '99. The mid-body unveils complexity—nuanced spice, creamy undertones, and woody notes—while the finish culminates in a satisfying balance of strength and smooth, lingering flavor. This blend represents the result of lifelong friendships, passionate craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence, delivering a vibrant, modern interpretation of classic cigar making. Circle of Life is described as an opulent, intense oscuro made for after-dinner pairings, jam-packed with dark flavors and Sumatran spices.
