West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In the latest addition to West Tampa Tobacco Company's portfolio, the “West Tampa Red” emerged last year as the third core line. Master blender and co-owner, Rick Rodriguez, has infused his personal preferences into this creation, diverging from his usual approach of catering solely to fan desires. The West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red boasts a blend that is markedly different from its predecessors, featuring a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, reminiscent of the limited edition Attic Series, paired with an all-Nicaraguan binder and fillers.

This blend is described by Rodriguez as a full-bodied offering that aims to complement the West Tampa legacy with its robust flavor profile. The Red is not just another cigar; it's seen as a critical piece in completing the brand's intricate puzzle. The West Tampa Red is available in three sizes: Robusto, Toro, and Gigante, each presented in boxes of 20, with prices ranging from $8.99 to $10.99. This launch marked a significant moment for the company, reflecting both innovation and the personal touch of its master blender.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Garmendia Cigars Co.
Blender: Rick Rodriguez
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jason A. (Jason A.) Fred L. (Fred L.) Bradlee W. (Brad W.) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Mickey T. (irratebass)
Price: $9.99
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: May 2023
Contributed by: West Tampa Tobacco Co.

Initial Impressions – West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro

Appearance: 92

“The cigar has a very rustic, rough appearance in the best way possible. The tobacco is hard packed with nice wrapper veins present. The sun spots are a nice kiss of depth of the cigars appearance.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Aroma: 93

“The aroma is typical of a Maduro shade cigars. Deep cocoa, fermented tobacco and a nice bar cherry note.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The first third was relatable to smoking one of those spicy chocolate candy bars. It was a nice pepper flavor that lived on the lips and retro hail, but not overpowering over the cherry and chocolate type flavors. It's rare to get that type of flavor in a cigar but whenever I find it, I always truly appreciate it.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“Cold draw: slightly grassy with hints of barnyard, earth, and a subtle floral element. Upon lighting my initial notes are a rich peppery mix with slight honey and charred wood notes followed by a heavy black cherry flavor. The pepper gradually resides and I'm left with a very pleasant caramel sweetness with hints of cherries, cedar wood, a slight earthiness, and just a touch of baking spice. Throughout the first third, the dominant flavors remain the same, except for the addition of a creamy, heavier smoke moving through.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The draw is tightening up on me and I may have to recut it, but for now I am just going to baby it. The strength is a mild to medium but nothing more. The weird flavors are still there….not weird in a good way, like I said they complement each other and work well for this cigar. There is one difference though, the retro though it still has the floral flavors there is also some cream mixing in that AGAIN compliment each other.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“That dry oak and pepper combo continues for much of the time, but it really smooths out for a nice balance that simply works.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The coffee note remains intact, getting a slight earth on the finish. Not a major transition in the final third.” –Jason A (Jason A.)

“I have not re-cut the cigar and I am continuing to just baby it. The same flavors persisted as well as more cream and sweetness on the retro. As well as some spice that slowly seeped in.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Impressions – West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro

Draw: 96

“From start to finish the draw was excellent, tons of smoke.” –Jason A (Jason A.)

Burn: 95

“While not razor sharp, the burn line was consistently even. The ash was a snowy white and stacked neatly throughout.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Construction: 94

“Overall construction had no issues. Cap was nice and tight, cut perfectly! No excessively loose tobacco in the end.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“Very pleasant dark wrapper toro. Excellent draw and burn. Very nice flavor profile of coffee, walnuts and a syrup type finish.” –Jason A. (Jason A.)

“This is a highly intriguing smoke, the flavor profile is very diverse and exceedingly pleasant. While well balanced, the predominant notes of caramel, earth, cherries, and baking spice were most consistent, making this an excellent pairing for a dram of Buffalo Trace or Knob Creek.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

“Great cigar! Honestly like smoking a chocolate pepper candy bar.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“I wanted to like this cigar; I really did. Unfortunately, it felt almost like a chore to smoke. This happens from time to time, and maybe it was just me, but I couldn't get into it. Dry oak and pepper aren't bad at all, but things were not jiving today. I absolutely want to revisit this cigar, as I always do when this happens. If anything, to justify my findings or prove it was a fluke, and this blend really does work great.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Overall this was a very good cigar that surprised me with it's weird flavors of potpourri, floral, cream, and must. Like I said these flavors didn't really belong together, but they somehow complimented on another. I would definitely like to smoke these some more. At least a fiver, maybe more.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 78

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro – Blind Cigar Review