J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has begun shipping one of its most meaningful releases yet: The El Reloj Collection, a 10-cigar box set handcrafted in the company’s historic Tampa factory and packaged with the official America250 seal. The collection marks the first time J.C. Newman has used the commemorative seal in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
As America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar manufacturer—and the steward of the last traditional large-scale cigar factory operating in the United States—J.C. Newman is leaning into its heritage with a release that celebrates both national history and the enduring craft of American cigar-making.
“America has a rich cigar tradition that dates back to 1612,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman, noting that when his great-grandfather founded the company in 1895, more than 40,000 cigar factories operated across the country. “Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the U.S. The El Reloj Collection showcases how we are keeping America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive.”
Each $240 box includes 10 cigars—two each of some of the company’s most acclaimed premium offerings:
- The American Toro – A 100% all-American cigar rolled entirely from U.S.-grown tobaccos with American-made packaging.
- Angel Cuesta Rosado Toro – A refined, smooth blend originally crafted for Spain’s King Alfonso XIII.
- Angel Cuesta Shade Toro – A lighter, elegant interpretation wrapped in Nicaraguan Shade.
- LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition 2023 – A cigar honoring the famed American artist, featuring a print of his Irish American Bar Scene painting.
- Tampa Smokers Toro – A nod to Tampa’s first professional baseball team and the city’s iconic nickname, “Cigar City.”
Each selection reflects a different chapter in American tobacco history—from heritage seed varietals and century-old brands to Tampa’s role as a cornerstone of cigar culture.
A Visit to El Reloj: A Living Museum of American Cigar Craft
Alongside the release, J.C. Newman is inviting cigar lovers to visit El Reloj in Tampa—now home to a museum, guided tours, hand-rolling classes, and private events. The factory is the highest-rated museum in Tampa on TripAdvisor and remains one of the most immersive historic cigar experiences available anywhere in the country.
With America250 approaching, the El Reloj Collection offers enthusiasts a unique way to mark the occasion: by lighting a cigar rolled in the same historic building where generations of craftsmen have shaped premium tobacco for more than a century.