Diamond Crown Tampa: A Cigar with Florida Tobacco to Celebrate Tampa’s 138th Birthday
To honour Tampa’s 138th birthday, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is launching a truly local cigar: the Diamond Crown Tampa. Made with Florida-grown tobacco and available only in Tampa, it’s a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and community.
A Homegrown Tribute to Tampa’s Legacy
Tampa, often referred to as the Cigar City, officially turns 138 years old on 15 July 2025. To mark the occasion, J.C. Newman—the city’s oldest cigar manufacturer—has created a unique cigar that embodies Tampa’s deep-rooted connection to cigarmaking. The Diamond Crown Tampa is a limited-edition Toro (6 ½ x 52), produced at the Arturo Fuente factory in the Dominican Republic, but with a surprising local twist: it includes tobacco grown in Florida.
This is the first time the Fuente factory has used Florida-grown leaf. The rare ligero tobacco comes from Jeff Borysiewicz’s Florida Sun Grown project in Clermont, Florida. He began cultivating Cuban-seed tobacco there 13 years ago, and the inclusion of his crop adds a distinctly Floridian character to the blend.
Wrapped in a silky Connecticut shade wrapper with a Dominican binder and filler, the only exception is that single leaf of Florida ligero. The profile is described as medium-bodied—richer than the mild Diamond Crown Classic, yet gentler than the fuller-bodied Black Diamond line.
Exclusivity with a Local Soul
At $30 per cigar, the Diamond Crown Tampa is the most expensive in the line, and for good reason. Not only is the blend unique, but the cigar is also wrapped in Tampa’s spirit. The packaging showcases the city’s landmarks—Tampa Theatre, Bayshore Boulevard, the José Gasparilla ship, and even Ybor City’s famous chickens.
Initially launched at Corona Cigar Co. (Tampa), it will also be available at other select locations including J.C. Newman’s headquarters, Hotel Haya in Ybor City, Tampa International Airport, and the city’s visitor centre. Only 500 boxes of 20 cigars are being released.
While J.C. Newman hasn’t ruled out a broader release, for now, this cigar remains exclusive to Tampa. Given the limited supply of Florida Sun Grown tobacco, a wider launch may be difficult.
A City Built on Cigars
Though Tampa’s incorporation as a city dates back to 1887, its historical roots stretch further—first settled by the U.S. military in the 1820s and shaped over time into a hub of cigar production. J.C. Newman’s latest release celebrates that history, reminding us that cigars are more than luxury items—they’re cultural artefacts.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Tampa, this exclusive smoke offers not just a fine cigar, but a taste of local pride.
