J.C. Newman Introduces New José Gaspar Cigar for Gasparilla 2024

Tampa’s annual Gasparilla festival is set to be celebrated with a unique offering from J.C. Newman, a Tampa-based cigar manufacturer. For the third consecutive year, the company will release a special cigar exclusive to Tampa in conjunction with the city’s renowned Gasparilla festival.

The 2024 edition, named the José Gaspar, is a 6 1/2 x 52 torpedo. This cigar features an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, paired with a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. This release follows the previous year’s 6 x 54 toro extra and maintains the same price point, with a suggested retail price of $8 per cigar. However, production is limited to 2,000 packs, each containing five cigars.

Availability of the José Gaspar 2024 is exclusive to select retailers in Tampa, ensuring local enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience this special edition. The retailers include well-known establishments such as Casa de Montecristo, Cigar City Brewery Co., The Columbia, and several others, including the J.C. Newman Cigar Museum and Factory Store.

The cigar’s name, José Gaspar, is a nod to the legendary pirate figure associated with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a significant cultural event in Tampa. The festival, celebrated annually in late January and lasting into March, includes major parades and various events, drawing inspiration from the mythical pirate José Gaspar. Despite his fame, historical evidence of Gaspar’s existence remains elusive.

Drew Newman, the fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman, remarks on the connection between the cigar and the Gasparilla tradition. He notes the legacy of José Gaspar as a formidable figure in the Gulf of Mexico during the late 1700s, highlighting the cigar as a tribute to both his legend and the Gasparilla festivities.

With this release, J.C. Newman continues its tradition of crafting cigars that resonate with Tampa’s cultural heritage, particularly the spirited celebration of Gasparilla.