2023 brought forward the continued growth of the West Tampa Cigar Co. headed up by Master Blender Rick Rodriguez. Capping the year off the company released a limited-edition cigar known as the Boliche Blvd. According to Rick, the name is nod to the best area for Cuban food in the Tampa area:
“If there is one cuisine singularly identified with the history of Tampa, it’s Cuban food, mixed with a dash of Spanish and Italian — the ethnic mix whose labor force kept the cigar factories humming in the early 20th century. The Cuban culinary tradition continues along the Cuban corridor of Tampa’s Columbus Drive, known by locals as ‘Boliche Boulevard’.“
Rick Rodriguez
The company notes that the Boliche Blvd will be a limited release of only 500 boxes, available in one size and packed in a box containing 50 cigars:
- Gigante (6 x 60)- $12.99 MSRP(USD)
The cigars started to hit retailers in late November of this year.
The blend of the Boliche Blvd is undisclosed by the company, but Rodriguez said that with the vast library of tobacco available to him from the Oliva’s you can be sure it is something special.
Rick goes on to say:
“For me this cigar is personal. 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.”
For this review, I sampled one of these which was gifted to me by my good friend and local BOTL – Lou Piscitelli.
Pre-Light Examination
The West Tampa Tobacco Co. Boliche Blvd Gigante is draped in a dark brown and slightly marbled wrapper. It has a number of veins running through the wrapper. The cigar is solidly packed from head to foot. Construction is finished with a well applied double cap.
The cigar is adorned with a large black and white band that displays a map of West Tampa with the name BOLICHE BLVD displayed like a street sign running through the middle of the band. I will say the band was difficult to remove but fortunately did not tear the wrapper.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up sweetness and barnyard notes off the wrapper while the foot exuded a pleasant fruit note.
I used my double blade cutter to slice the cap just above the shoulder of the cigar and noted the draw was a tad tighter than I prefer while it delivered subtle pepper notes with a touch of tangy earth to the palate.
Using my single fan flame Xikar torch, I warmed the foot an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of fruity tang and cocoa notes to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Mild fruity tang and cocoa notes start the journey
- Light grey ash rests on top of a medium thick wavy char line
- Creamy notes add to the profile
- Medium volume of smoke
- Sweet cinnamon notes enter at the start of the second third
- Toasted oak aroma wafts off the foot
- Bitter dark chocolate nuances notes begin to develop
- Ash fell in a nice chunk revealing a slightly off-centered burn cone
- Smoke volume opens up
- Mild spice enters midway blending well with the chocolate
- Profile stays consistent with added nut and fruit nuances that linger on the palate
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was just shy of 2 hours
Final Analysis
The West Tampa Tobacco Co. Boliche Blvd Gigante journey begins with a gentle interplay of mild fruity tang and subtle cocoa notes. As the experience unfolds, creamy undertones enrich the profile, accompanied by a medium volume of smoke. Transitioning into the second third, a delightful infusion of sweet cinnamon notes emerges, while a toasted oak aroma wafts from the foot. The development takes a nuanced turn with the emergence of bitter dark chocolate undertones. The smoke volume expands after the midway, and a mild spice enters the scene, harmonizing seamlessly with the evolving chocolate notes. The profile maintains its consistency, with added nutty and fruity nuances that linger on the palate, creating a well-rounded and satisfying experience. This is one I would say try a fiver of. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight Wave in the burn; (-1) Medium Volume of Smoke; (-1) Off-Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Long Ash
