J.C. Newman Releases Limited Tampa Smokers Cigars to Celebrate Baseball and Historic Milestone
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has released a special pair of limited edition cigars named Tampa Smokers, celebrating both America’s pastime and the rich cigar-making history of Tampa. With the 2025 baseball season now underway, these themed cigars are shipping nationwide.
A Tribute to Baseball and Tampa’s Cigar Heritage
Tampa was once home to more than 200 cigar factories producing over 700 million cigars annually. In 1919, its local baseball team adopted the name Tampa Smokers in homage to the city’s vibrant cigar culture. The team, which counted Hall-of-Famers Al Lopez and Joe Medwick among its alumni, even featured a lit cigar in its logo.
“Baseball and cigars are two of America’s historic pastimes,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. “It is only fitting to celebrate the new baseball season with a special cigar that honours Tampa’s first professional baseball team, the Tampa Smokers.”
Two Unique Sizes, Limited Production
Tampa Smokers are available in two formats:
• Toro: 6 x 52, priced at $20
• Baseball Bat: 7 inches long with a tapering shape (52 to 42 ring gauge), priced at $40
Both cigars are hand-rolled at J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory in Tampa, using an Ecuador Connecticut-seed wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder, and an undisclosed filler blend. The Baseball Bat cigar features darker tobacco accents on its head and foot, and is produced at a rate of just 80 cigars per day by a single artisan.
Exclusive Packaging Options
Two packaging options are available:
1. Standard Box: 12 cigars (11 Toros + 1 Baseball Bat), limited to 500 boxes.
2. Collector’s Case: A baseball-inspired, individually-numbered leather and ash wood case by Brizard & Co., featuring:
◦ 3 Toros
◦ A retro Tampa Smokers baseball cap
◦ A reproduction of a 1947 Tampa Smokers programme
◦ Limited to 250 sets
These collector items incorporate vintage baseball mitt leather and ash wood from real baseball bats, offering a nostalgic and luxurious tribute to baseball history.
El Reloj: A Living Legacy at 115 Years
The release of Tampa Smokers also coincides with a major anniversary for the El Reloj factory, which first opened in 1910 and recently celebrated 115 years of continuous operation. Once one of 40,000 cigar factories in the U.S., El Reloj now stands as a working monument to premium cigar craftsmanship. Beyond production, it serves as a tourist destination offering:
• A cigar museum
• Rolling classes
• Tasting seminars
• Event space
Brands such as The American, Angel Cuesta, and LeRoy Neiman are all crafted at this historic facility.
J.C. Newman’s Tampa Smokers cigars had a soft launch at the Tampa Baseball Museum last month and are now available nationally. These cigars offer a unique blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and American tradition—perfect for cigar lovers and baseball fans alike.
