My Weekend Cigar: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red
VIDEO CIGAR REVIEW: WEST TAMPA RED
Red Is the Color of Passion
In June of 2022 the West Tampa Tobacco Company arrived on the scene with two regular production cigars: West Tampa Black and West Tampa White, Maduro and Natural blends, respectively. This year West Tampa Red became the brand’s third regular production cigar boasting a Mexican San Andrés wrapper.
“West Tampa Red gave me the opportunity to sit down with the factory and really focus on creating a blend that I enjoy,” said West Tampa co-owner and master blender, Rick Rodriguez. “Red is a full-bodied cigar that delivers the full flavor consumers have come to enjoy from West Tampa.”
Rolled in three popular sizes, West Tampa Red now completes the West Tampa line, in that, the company now offers full-production blends for cigar smokers of every experience.
West Tampa Red Toro Cigar Details
Factory: Garmendia Cigar Co. – Esteli, Nicaragua
Size: 6″x52
Body & Strength: Full
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Condega
Filler: Condega Viso, Esteli Viso, Esteli Ligero
Presented in boxes of 20
West Tampa Red Cigar Review
My West Tampa Red Toro was expertly rolled in a slightly rustic looking San Andrés Maduro wrapper with a dark chocolate color throughout and a textbook triple seam cap. Rolled firmly, the cold draw was good but a little tight and offered a taste of damp earth.
The cigar lit perfectly, offering a sweet and juicy start. The Mexican San Andrés wrapper almost immediately issued plenty of sweetness combined with coffee & cream. The burn got off to a great start and the smoke texture was impressively smooth on my palate. At a half-inch, a drive-by fruity flavor dashed through followed by a thin layer of oak that also remained on the finish. The body and strength were at medium and at inch one some earthiness arrived. Very well-balanced through the first two inches, at that point the sweetness settled down a bit.
At the midpoint, hints of nutmeg and hazelnut joined-in and the proverbial “sweet spot” was practically overflowing with flavor. The body and strength were now headed toward full.
In the last act, the cigar continued to cruise along smoothly as some leathery notes and earth arrived. The smoke remained impressively smooth, as the strength locks into full. Yet, even with under two inches remaining the smoke was still sweet and smooth, which is a rare treat.
Was West Tampa Red Weekend Worthy?
Yes, but full disclosure first: I smoked the West Tampa Red Toro when it first arrived. It was given to me by a friend. Believe it or not, I liked it enough to predict that it would make the annual Top 25 Cigars of the year. So, these West Tampa Red Toros were actually my second and third. With that, I was convinced that the cigar is consistent. Additionally, I felt that it had a good number of rich flavors and was very smooth and balanced throughout. And here’s the kicker: When I’m reaching for the nub over and over again when I normally would let it go, I know it’s something special. So, if you have a fair amount of smoking experience, love hearty, full-flavored Nicaraguan cigars, and if you’re especially into San Andrés Maduro wrappers, this West Tampa blend is up there with the best of them.
Please Note: Gary’s review was based on two samples and that your mileage may vary. If you’ve already had an experience with this cigar please share your thoughts with a comment.