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Tag: J.C. Newman

  • J.C. Newman Restoring Part of Tampa’s Cigar Heritage

    J.C. Newman Restoring Part of Tampa’s Cigar Heritage

    J.C. Newman Cigar Company announced that the final phase of construction began last week on the historic Sanchez y Haya Hotel in Tampa’s Ybor City. Built in 1910, the building was once a hub for cigar workers, located across the street from J.C. Newman’s famed El Reloj factory, but has fallen into disrepair after decades of neglect.

    Now owned by J.C. Newman, the building has been structurally stabilized, stripped to its bones, cleared of a long-running bat infestation, and prepared for total revival. Backed by $18 million in public and private investment, including major support from Hillsborough County and Tampa’s CRA, it is scheduled to open as a boutique hotel and cigar destination in November 2026.

    J.C. Newman president Drew Newman said the project is a “responsibility and tribute to Tampa’s cigar story.”

    Click here to see coverage of the story on Tampa Bay’s Fox 13.

  • J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    Established in 1895, J.C. Newman touts itself as “America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.” This past weekend, during the PCA trade show in New Orleans, the company revived one of its most historic brands, reintroducing its Sarzedas line.

    The U.S. Patent Office records show that J.C. Newman first rolled Sarzedas cigars in 1900. A century ago, Sarzedas was widely known as “The Aromatic Cigar.” The new Sarzedas cigars are handmade at J.C. Newman’s PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

    “I have loved the Sarzedas name and the brand’s history as ‘The Aromatic Cigar’ for years,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “I have been wanting to bring this historic brand back, but had to wait until we could create a blend that lives up to the brand’s legacy. Sarzedas is the most flavorful cigar we have ever made.”

    Sarzedas cigars are rolled in four sizes, a 6” x 50 toro, a 4.75” x 52 robusto, a 7” x 48 Churchill, and a 5.5” x 43 corona. They were blended by Rich Dolak, J.C. Newman’s longtime Vice President of Operations who has blending the cigars with the Newmans for 29 years. Sarzedas features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, and binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic Nicaragua. J.C. Newman will set the suggested retail price when Sarzedas is ready to ship this summer but expects it to be between $8 and $10 per cigar.