After teasing it at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, West Tampa Tobacco Co. is set to release a new limited edition called Boliche Blvd.

The cigar is named for the nickname given to Columbus Drive in Tampa, Fla., which is known for the many Cuban and Latino restaurants that serve boliche, a Cuban dish consisting of eye-round beef stuffed with ham and served with rice, and which is often compared to a pot roast.

“For me this cigar is personal,” said Rick Rodriguez, master blender and co-owner, via a press release. “The vision for naming our company West Tampa was to create an opportunity to celebrate the rich cigar-making history of Tampa, create awareness of its vibrant and eclectic present and be a part of shaping its bright future. To make this cigar represent Tampa, I partnered up with a legendary tobacco family, Oliva Tobacco Company.”

The company is not disclosing anything about the blend, other than that the tobacco came from Oliva Tobacco Co., the tobacco growers that is also headquartered in Tampa, though they grow tobacco in several countries. Boliche Blvd. is being offered in a 6 x 60 gordo vitola priced at $12.99 per cigar and limited to 500 boxes of 50 cigars, which are produced by Nicaragua American Cigars S.A., often referred to as NACSA.

The cigars are set to begin shipping to stores on Nov. 27, with the line available to both U.S.-based and international retailers.

Shortly after this story was published, West Tampa Tobacco Co. provided images and the official press release to halfwheel.

Images courtesy of West Tampa Tobacco Co.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.