The West Tampa Black Toro is one of the lines produced by the West Tampa Tobacco Company, owned by Rick Rodriguez, which makes cigars in Nicaragua.
Rick’s grandparents were Cuban torcedores of recognized skill who decided to emigrate to West Tampa to seek that American dream, which in the developing cigar business of the time appeared to be a concrete reality in which to invest. After a generational leap, the baton was taken up by Rick, who now takes care of the creation of his cigars with the same passion, attention, and professionalism inherited from his grandparents.
To create the Black line, a dark Habano seed grown in Ecuador is used for the wrapper, and a Habano seed grown on the island of Ometepe for the binder. The fillers are all Nicaraguan tobacco.
The Black line comprises three sizes, including the Toro, and is sold in 20-ct boxes.
The wrapper is quite shiny, with a Maduro tone with brown reflections. It appears rather wrinkled to the touch, albeit with pretty light veins. The construction is decent, with a few gaps in the filler.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Size: 52 x 152 mm (6″)
- Wrapper: Habano (Ecuador)
- Binder: Ometepe (Nicaragua)
- Filler: Condega, Estelì (Nicaragua)
- Price: $ 10 | € 10.50
West Tampa Black Toro: very intense aromas of cocoa, followed by less intense characters of spices and honey, are present in the cold draw, all enriched by earthy nuances.
Once lit, the smoke is sapid, with a sweet nuance. It expresses mineral, woody, and spicy notes, all of equal intensity. Strength is light (1/5).
In the central section, the initial sweetness vanishes, while a strong aroma of nuts emerges, followed by less intense notes of wood and camphor. The strength increases, becoming medium-light (2/5).
In the last third, the aromas are expressed on intense notes of nuts, followed by hints of wood and bitter almond. Strength becomes medium (3/5).
Overall, the West Tampa Black Toro is an interesting product, which offers a smoke rich in aromas and nuances. The strength is never overpowering and indeed offers the possibility of thoroughly enjoying a Toro size in the morning without fear of a hidden nicotine kick.