There area very few people in the cigar world that don't know the wonderful creations of Master Blender Rick Rodriguez. The latest creation to take the cigar community by storm is the long awaited West Tampa Red, the third and final installment of the West Tampa Color Series. The West Tampa Red is the perfect representation of Rodriguez's mantra - passion with purpose. This review will highlight the construction, presentation, flavor profile, and value of the West Tampa Red. If you haven't tried the West Tampa Red yet, I strongly suggested you add this to your humidor, and smoke it the next time you sit down and enjoy a cigar.
The West Tamp Red features an ornate band, with the reddish brown West Tampa shield. The wrapper itself is a medium-dark brown. While it does have some veins showing, it is relatively smooth overall. The box is the same red color as what is presented on the band, and features a simple West Tampa Logo and the name of the company. On the inside of the lid, there is Rick Rodriguez's story behind West Tampa Tobacco Company. While the box may be simple, it's elegant, and prompts you to open it, and see what treasures are inside.
The West Tampa Red is a full bodied cigar, but is actually very smooth, and not harsh at all. It is constructed with Condega Viso, Esteli Viso, and Esteli Ligero Fillers, Nicaraguan Condega Binder, and a Mexican San Andreas Maduro Wrapper. At first light, the foot gets a nice char, and emits an aroma of earth and toast. The caps cuts off with ease with a straight cut, and the draw is as smooth as can be. The ash is almost pure white. The ash will fall at a round an inch and a half in, or just before the second third. While the ash is sturdy, it does have a tendency to flake a bit, but your black shirt should be perfectly fine. The burn can get a little uneven, though it evens itself out about halfway through the first third. Once it's evened out, the burn stays consistently straight throughout the smoke.
The flavor profile of the West Tampa Red is unique. The cold draw may feature notes of toffee and dried fruit. Upon lighting the cigar, you may get notes of black pepper, earth, and subtle cumin.
The first third may feature notes of earth, salt, black pepper, and cream. There area mild notes of dark chocolate, toffee, and almond, along with very subtle notes of basil. Well into the first third, the salt and basil notes dissipate, leaving earth, black pepper, and cream at the forefront. The retrohale of the first third mainly features notes of white pepper, leather, and toast.
The second third may feature more prominent notes of cream, earth, and dark chocolate. These notes are complimented with subtle notes of toast, black pepper, and toffee. The retrohale on the second third may feature notes of dried fruit, cumin, and white pepper. You may also taste a very subtle note of licorice.
The final third may feature notes of white pepper and cedar, with earth and cream moving to the background. You may also taste some mild notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and leather. Notes of toffee and cream become a little more prominent before the end, but do not get as strong as white pepper and cedar. The retrohale on the final third may feature notes of toast and black pepper.
The West Tampa Red finishes with notes of earth and cream, complimented with notes of dark chocolate and black pepper.
The West Tampa red is at a great price point. Coming in at just $9.99 per cigar, and $199.80 for a box of 20, the West Tampa Red is well worth it. Between the great construction and flavor profile, this should be a must add to your humidor.
GC Rating: 95
Thanks to the Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop for sponsoring this review of the West Tampa Red. If you'd like to try the Red, or anything else from the West Tampa catalog, click the picture and use the coupon code for 10% off your order and free shipping.
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