Bringing Tampa’s Heritage to Life: The 2025 José Gaspar Cigar Release by J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Tampa, FL – Two iconic Tampa traditions—hand-rolled cigars and the swashbuckling spectacle of Gasparilla—come together once again in the form of J.C. Newman Cigar Co.’s 2025 José Gaspar cigar release. For more than a century, Tampa has proudly borne the title “Cigar City,” and since 1904, the Gasparilla pirate invasion has been an annual celebration of daring adventure and spirited revelry. This year, J.C. Newman continues its tribute to these traditions with a bold, limited-edition cigar inspired by the legendary pirate José Gaspar.

“José Gaspar was one of the most feared pirates in the Americas,” says Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. “He terrorized the Gulf of Mexico in the late 1700s, amassing a great fortune and celebrating his victories with bold and flavorful cigars. This release honors his legacy and Tampa’s enduring connection to both cigars and Gasparilla.”

A Tradition of Excellence

Handcrafted by J.C. Newman—a 130-year-old, family-owned business—the 2025 José Gaspar cigar is a 6 x 54 toro wrapped in a rich Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. These bold cigars are sold in packs of five, priced at an MSRP of $40. This year’s release is limited to just 10,000 cigars, available exclusively at 17 carefully selected retailers across Tampa Bay.

Locations where you can find the 2025 José Gaspar cigars include:

“José Gaspar cigars perfectly capture the bold spirit of the Gasparilla pirates,” Newman adds. “When the pirates invade Tampa and parade down Bayshore Boulevard on January 25th, they’ll be celebrating with these cigars. But just like the pirates, José Gaspar cigars will sail out of Tampa Bay at the end of the season and won’t return until next year.”

Rooted in Tampa’s Heritage

The connection between J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Gasparilla runs deep. Shortly after the company moved to Tampa in 1954, Stanford J. Newman—Drew Newman’s grandfather—was invited to join the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the group that organizes the iconic celebration. This honor signified J.C. Newman’s acceptance into Tampa’s historic cigar community, a city that has long been celebrated as the fine cigar capital of the world.

Celebrate Gasparilla with a José Gaspar Cigar

J.C. Newman’s 2025 José Gaspar release is more than just a cigar—it’s a tribute to Tampa’s storied history, a celebration of craftsmanship, and a nod to the daring spirit of pirates past. Whether you’re a cigar aficionado, a Gasparilla enthusiast, or both, these limited-edition cigars are the perfect way to savor the season.

Don’t miss your chance to embrace the pirate’s life with a José Gaspar cigar—available now at select Tampa retailers through the end of Gasparilla season. After that, these treasures will disappear until next year.

For more information, visit J.C. Newman Cigar Co. or explore Tampa’s storied traditions at the J.C. Newman Cigar Museum and Factory Store.

About J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Founded in 1895 by Julius Caeser Newman, J.C. Newman Cigar Company is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America.  J.C. Newman rolls its El Reloj, Factory Throwouts, and Trader Jacks cigars by hand-operated, vintage cigar machines at its historic cigar factory in Tampa, Florida.  It also hand rolls its Brick House, Perla del Mar, El Baton, and Quorum cigars at the J.C. Newman PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.  J.C. Newman’s Diamond Crown, MAXIMUS, Julius Caeser, and Black Diamond cigars are handmade by Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic.  With its longtime partners the Fuente family, the Newmans founded the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which supports low-income families in the Dominican Republic with education, health care, vocational training, and clean water.