This week, the Fuente and Newman families welcomed U.S. Senator Ashley Moody to J.C. Newman Cigar Co.’s iconic El Reloj factory in Tampa, Florida—the heart of America’s “Cigar City.”
During the tour, Senator Moody learned about the artistry, tradition, and culture of handcrafted premium cigars, from rolling floors to aging rooms. Highlights included the Cigar Vault, home to the world’s largest collection of vintage cigars, the oldest cigars in existence, and the last bale of pre-Embargo Cuban tobacco in the United States.
Joining the visit were PCA chief executive officer Joshua Habursky and Jeff Borysiewicz, former Cigar Rights of America chairman and owner of Corona Cigar Co., who discussed ongoing federal regulatory challenges facing the premium cigar industry.
Senator Moody—appointed in January to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio—expressed her appreciation for Tampa’s deep cigar heritage. She is the first person from the Tampa Bay area to serve in the Senate.
El Reloj, the last traditional cigar factory still operating in the United States, produces 60,000 cigars daily while serving as a living history museum. Last year, more than 20,000 visitors toured the factory, took cigar-rolling classes, and attended events—earning it the top spot among Tampa museums on TripAdvisor.