Tampa Smokers

Tampa Smokers is a premium cigar brand that celebrates the rich heritage of Tampa's cigar-making legacy and America's beloved pastime of baseball. Tampa Smokers cigars celebrate two of America's historic traditions: baseball and cigars. Tampa Smokers cigars are hand rolled in J.C. Newman's iconic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa in two sizes, a 6″x 52 toro and a 7″ baseball bat. A single master cigar roller hand rolls only 80 Tampa Smokers cigars per day with an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and filler tobaccos from Latin America where baseball continues to be a favorite pastime. This unique brand pays homage to Tampa's identity as the former "Fine Cigar Capital of the World" while honoring the historic minor league baseball team that bore the same name.

Background

This new cigar celebrates the Tampa Smokers, a minor-league baseball team that played in the Cigar City from 1919 to 1954. A century ago, Tampa was known as the Fine Cigar Capital of the World. At its peak, Tampa's 200 cigar factories in Tampa handcrafted more than 700 million cigars per year. In 1919, Tampa's local baseball team was named the Tampa Smokers to celebrate its place as Cigar City. Many famous athletes played for the Tampa Smokers, including Al Lopez, who was the son of cigar workers and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The brand was introduced by J.C. Newman Cigar Company as a tribute to this historic connection between Tampa's cigar industry and its baseball heritage. "The Tampa Smokers packaging incorporates the original design of the Tampa Smokers jersey, which prominently featured a Tampa cigar," said Newman.

History

Last night, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced Tampa Smokers cigars at an event hosted by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame at J.C. Newman's historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. The brand represents J.C. Newman's commitment to preserving Tampa's cigar-making heritage while celebrating the city's baseball history. For more than a century, J.C. Newman has celebrated the tradition of baseball and cigars. The introduction of Tampa Smokers continues this legacy by honoring the historic minor league team that played in Tampa's golden age of cigar manufacturing from 1919 to 1954.

Reputation

Tampa Smokers has established itself as a premium artisanal brand that resonates with both cigar enthusiasts and baseball fans who appreciate authentic American heritage. Numerous Major League Baseball alumni attended last night's event, including Wade Boggs, Clint Hurdle, and Dave Magadan. The brand is highly regarded for its limited production approach and authentic connection to Tampa's historic cigar industry. "These special cigars are packed in boxes with rounded corners that are reminiscent of the shape of a baseball." As part of J.C. Newman's portfolio, Tampa Smokers benefits from the company's 129-year reputation as America's oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.