If you live in Florida you should definitely plan to visit the JC Newman Cigar Factory Museum in Tampa. I am a bit embarrassed being a "brother of the leaf" and having not visited this last American Tobacco Castle until earlier this week. There is a fully functioning cigar factory--it is something that is nearly impossible to find in the U.S. these days. A fitting tribute to not only a great cigar-making pioneer, Julius Caesar "J.C." Newman, but also to his descendants who continue to operate the business today.

There is a lot of cigar history in Tampa, Florida. In its heyday, more Cuban tobacco cigars were produced in Tampa than were produced in Cuba for export to the United States. JC Newman Cigar Factory was actually founded in Cleveland, Ohio, by Julius Caesar Newman. In 1895, after completing a cigar apprenticeship, JC borrowed $50 and began making cigars in his family barn. It wasn’t long before JC had a booming business. His company survived the Great Depression, and in 1954 he decided to move his operation to Tampa. The move put him closer to Cuba—the supplier of tobacco for most of the premium cigar manufacturers. Tampa was certainly the center of the cigar world here in the U.S.

A great photo of Stanford Newman presenting a box of cigars to Larry Doby after he hit a homerun for the Cleveland Indians. Doby was the first African American to play in the American League, joining Major League Baseball just three months after Jackie Robinson.

While getting a guided tour of the museum from Eric Newman, current JC Newman President and grandson of the company’s founder, I was treated to great stories about his family and their role in American cigar history. One statement that really stuck with me was: "There was a time when you could stand on our roof and literally see all of our competition," said Eric Newman. "But today, we are the only ones left."

Eric Newman explains the layout of the museum.

JC Newman Cigar Company is the only one left, mainly because President John F. Kennedy signed a trade embargo with Cuba and, almost overnight, a majority of America's cigar factories came to a grinding halt. With no source for cigar tobacco, Stanford Newman, a true visionary and 25 year veteran of the cigar industry, looked to a faraway continent more known for its big game safaris than its premium tobacco leaves. Yes, we have Stanford Newman to thank for introducing our nation to the wonderful flavor of Cameroon tobacco. He was the first person to import and use it in premium cigars and the chief reason why they still make cigars—and the other beautiful brick factories around them are now either vacant or office buildings.

Worker removes stem from leaf and separates it into left and right sided wrapper.

Today the company is run by President Eric Newman and Executive Vice President Bobby Newman. Both continue the great Newman legacy with the fourth generation prepared to grab the reins.

Some of their great cigars that we stock in our humidors at ABC include Brick House, Perla del Mar and the great selling Quorom line. JC Newman also proudly distributes Arturo Fuente cigars.

If you want a taste of Cigar City, you can do so by visiting your local ABC store. If you would like to see and hear it, then make your way to Tampa. My only regret is that I took so long to make the trek myself.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits regional manager in Jacksonville. Follow him on Twitter @chrisgnole