Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

Subscribe today for a chance to win great cigar prizes:


Presented by:

Stogie Commentary: On Location in Ybor

4 Dec 2006

Yesterday your three hardworking Stogie Guys took some time to relax and have some cigars in Ybor City. By chance Patrick A and myself were in the area for business, and once we realized we’d have some free time, we immediately contacted Tampa Bureau Chief George Edmonson to meet for a few hours in the cigar capital of America.

With just over three hours to spend in the historic district of Tampa, we wasted no time. We started our trip by meeting in front of the Columbia restaurant, where they roll their own cigars in the Gonzalez & Martinez Cigar Factory. The factory itself was closed when we were there and, unfortunately due to Florida’s Draconian restaurant smoking ban (how a state with well over half a million Cubans bans the traditional after dinner cigar is beyond me), we couldn’t light up at the restaurant.

So we walked down E. 7th Avenue (the main drag in Ybor) until we came across an open cigar shop (at 11 on Sunday morning your options are a bit limited). Outside of The Tampa Cigar Company Inc., the owner was puffing away at a cigar. As we walked in, to our left was a cigar rolling station surrounded by dozens of cigar presses, and to our right was a walk-in humidor with hundreds of stacked, un-banded cigars which we were told were all rolled right there in the shop.

At the owner’s recommendation we selected three robustos ($5 per stick), which we enjoyed with strong cuban coffee. After a leisurely smoke we thanked our host and left to have some lunch.

Later we found ourselves at King Corona Cigar, a large combination cigar shop, bar, and barbershop. They carry a respectable selection of name-brand cigars in a massive humidor. Tucked in between the CAO’s, Fuentes, and Diamond Crowns was an unbanded cigar simply called “Ybor City Handmades” that came in three sizes – Lonsdale, Torpedo, and Churchill.

Since we could find the national brands anywhere, we decided on the very reasonably-priced Ybor City Handmades and enjoyed three Churchills with some more coffee. With excellent construction, a mild buttery-almond flavor, and the occasional hint of spice, these Ybor-rolled Dominican cigars with their nearly vein-free Connecticut Shade wrappers were a steal at just over two dollars apiece

Unfortunately, like every cigar, this stogie adventure had to come to an end, but not before everyone walked away with a few more cigars for our humidors and a few pleasant memories.

Patrick S

Tags:

10 Responses to “Stogie Commentary: On Location in Ybor”

  1. Patrick A Monday, December 4, 2006 at 6:44 am #

    After my visit, I can honestly say that Ybor is an absolute must for American cigar enthusiasts. Walking down 7th avenue is like witnessing stogie history firsthand.

    It was also great to finally meet George Edmonson and share a few smokes and laughs with him.

  2. Anonymous Monday, December 4, 2006 at 6:45 am #

    I loved Ybor too. It's a completely different culture down there. You don't feel like an outcast while smoking cigars.

  3. Anonymous Monday, December 4, 2006 at 7:34 am #

    How are the prices there on national brands?

  4. Camino Viejo Cigars Monday, December 4, 2006 at 1:00 pm #

    I got the chance to visit Tampa the weekend of Guavaween for a family reunion. The history of the city just fascinates me.

    You can still dive around areas of town and see the old tobacco warehouses and factories. I would like to go back for a tobacco/cigar tour one of these days.

    How did the local cigars compare to some of the national/well known brands?

    –Miguel

  5. Patrick A Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 4:54 am #

    Miguel,

    I actually thought a few of the local blends tasted better and were better constructed than most premium national brands. And they're much cheaper, too.

    If you get down to Ybor, there's no reason to smoke Macanudos or Montecristos (even though those are great smokes).

    Fortunately, some of the local shops, like King Corona, sell their house brands over the internet. It's worth checking out.

Trackbacks and Pingbacks

  1. The Stogie Guys » Blog Archive » Stogie Reviews: Gurkha Class Regent Torpedo - Wednesday, January 24, 2007

    […] This particular stick was a gift from Stogie Guy Patrick S, who said he got it from CBid. He generously passed it along when we met last month in Ybor City. […]

  2. The Stogie Guys » Blog Archive » Stogie Guys Friday Sampler XXVIII - Friday, January 26, 2007

    […] 2) Cigar smokers in the Tampa area will get a chance March 3 to meet manufacturers, sample fine stogies, and help fight cerebral palsy. The Achieve Foundation is putting on the sixth annual Cigar City Celebration at the Cuban Center in Tampa’s famed Ybor City district. A $125 ticket includes cigars, food, drinks, and entertainment. Check Achieve’s website for more information on this worthy event. […]

  3. Stogie Reviews: Ybor City Handmades Torpedo - Tuesday, August 21, 2007

    […] Atop this page is a picture of all three members of the StogieGuys.com staff. Taken circa December 2006, it shows George E., myself, and Patrick S. in front of a cigar factory in the heart of Ybor City. […]

  4. Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXVII - Friday, September 12, 2008

    […] to open in December—will feature displays of old ads, a recreation of the atmosphere of Ybor City in the 1920s, and audio recordings of early […]

  5. Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXXIII - Friday, October 24, 2008

    […] If you’ll be in the Tampa area on November 15, swing by historic Ybor City to check out the 10th annual Cigar Heritage Festival. The event, which has grown tremendously […]