PCA 2024: J.C. Newman Cigar Company

The theme for J.C. Newman Cigar Company at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was sports. That is because J.C. Newman Cigar Company had two sports-themed releases. First up, J.C. Newman showcased a second installment of the LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Series that draws inspiration from the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Second is a special release honoring the defunct minor league baseball team, the Tampa Smokers. Since J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory is located in Ybor City, Tampa, the company’s history is entwined with the history of Tampa, so it is appropriate to honor this team. Both the LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition and Tampa Smokers cigars are rolled at the El Reloj factory. Additionally, J.C. Newman again brought its cardboard replica of the El Reloj factory to its space at the show.

The J.C. Newman’s LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition series is an annual limited edition series that pays homage to the artworks of LeRoy Neiman (a cigar enthusiast). The Collector’s Edition project is being done in collaboration with the Neiman family and the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. J.C. Newman and the Foundation donate all profits from this collaboration to support arts education in Tampa’s public schools.

This year’s artwork theme for the LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition is entitled “Left Bank Café.” This selection was inspired by the fact that the 2024 Summer Olympic Games are taking place in Paris, France. The Collector’s Edition 2024 comes in a 7 x 50 vitola. The blend is identical to the 2023 blend, featuring an Ecuadorian Havana wrapper, a U.S. Florida-grown binder, and a combination of Nicaraguan and U.S. tobaccos. Production is limited to 600 boxes of 20.

The Tampa Smokers, a name deeply rooted in the history of Tampa as the ‘Cigar City,’ played for 35 years in Tampa from 1919 to 1954. The Tampa Smokers release is a heartfelt tribute, capturing that team’s vibrant vibe and branding. Packaging-wise, the release incorporates the original design of the Tampa Smokers jersey, a nostalgic nod to the team’s glory days. Tampa Smokers is an ongoing limited Toro cigar, a testament to the enduring legacy of the team. Correspondingly, the Tampa Smokers cigars are shaped like a baseball bat. J.C. Newman has planned availability in time for the 2024 World Series.

In addition, J.C. Newman showcased a unique Tampa Bay Smokers humidor. The humidor is shaped like a home plate and is made from the wood of major baseball bats. The humidor also comes with cigars. It’s the second collaborative project for J.C. Newman with a major sports league. Last year, the company partnered with the NBA to release a humidor made from the woods of the 2011 NBA All Star game court.