Today we take a look at the second of the inaugural releases by West Tampa Tobacco Company, the West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black. West Tampa Tobacco Company was formed by two former alumni of General Cigar Company, Rick Rodriguez and Gus Martinez. Rodriguez is best known for spending over a decade as the blender/ambassador for […]
In 2022, Rick Rodriguez, known for his long tenure at General Cigar Company and over a decade as the blender/ambassador for the CAO brand, would launch West Tampa Tobacco Company. This is a venture that Rodriguez is working on with another former General Cigar alumni, Gus Martinez. The name West Tampa Tobacco Co. pays homage […]
West Tampa Tobacco Company has announced a third regular production line its portfolio called Red. It joins the West Tampa Tobacco Company White and Black lines as core offerings, but in the case of the Red line, it is meant to provide a full-bodied, full-flavored offering. The West Tampa Tobacco Company Red features a San […]
West Tampa Tobacco Co. has named Stijn Elbersen its Global Sales and Marketing Director. Elbersen also is the owner of Small Batch Traders, a company based in the Netherlands that handles international distribution for West Tampa Tobacco Co. and other premium cigar manufacturers Elbersen started his career in premium tobacco at Habaos S.A., and worked […]
West Tampa Tobacco Company has launched a new micro blend line known as the Attic Series. This series is an ongoing project that will take you into the mind of co-owner Rick Rodriguez. Through these cigars, Rodriguez will share many of his personal stories involving his career, family and upbringing through cigar blends. The idea […]
Each week, I have the opportunity to produce the news segment for KMA Talk Radio. On the Cigar Coop “blog,” we post replays of the shows the week following the date the show is aired. On July 2, 2022, Rick Rodriguez co-owner of West Tampa Tobacco Co. was the special guest. Catch the full show […]
One of the more anticipated new companies that were exhibiting at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show was West Tampa Tobacco Company. The company is a partnership between two former General Cigar Company employees, Rick Rodriguez and Gus Martinez. In particular, Rick is known for his decade as the blender and ambassador for […]
Rick Rodriguez’s retirement has lasted ten days. Today Rodriguez confirmed a story on his social media pages published by Cigar Aficionado that he is returning to the cigar industry. Rodriguez, the former CAO Blender and Brand Ambassador, will be teaming up with Gus Martinez, also formerly of General Cigar Company, to launch West Tampa Tobacco Company. […]
