Devil Crab Night

Many of you took part in our special Devil Crab Night event. A huge thank you to everyone who attended.

Meeting with Rick Rodriguez (via video call)

This meeting provided a deeper insight into the exceptional career of Rick Rodriguez, who has successfully combined family tradition with innovation to create a world-renowned cigar brand in record time. Passion and technical expertise lie at the heart of his approach, as does the emphasis placed on flavour balance and the smoker’s experience. West Tampa also stands out for its inclusivity towards women and its commitment to passing on a strong family legacy. Finally, Rick remains approachable and dedicated, always ready to share his knowledge and welcome enthusiasts to the factories.

Photos from the evening

Would you like to print a memento of your evening? We’d be delighted! The photos below are compressed; please email us to receive the HD version for printing!

What did we discuss in detail with Rick Rodriguez?

🔑 Key figures:

West Tampa was founded in May 2022, with sales commencing in June 2022.
The brand will celebrate its fourth anniversary in May 2026. Rick Rodriguez worked at CAO for around 24 years before founding West Tampa. West Tampa was ranked among the top 25 best cigars of 2025 by Cigar Aficionado.
The ‘Circle of Life’ trilogy includes cigars produced in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Rick smokes around three to four cigars a day.

📋 Detailed topics:

1️⃣ 🔥 The story behind West TampaRick Rodriguez, after 24 years at CAO, left the company in 2021 to found West Tampa with his daughter Sarah and Gus Martinez.The brand was officially launched in May 2022, with sales commencing in June 2022. West Tampa’s development has taken the industry by surprise, with its rapid growth recognised by magazines such as Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Journal. Sarah Rodriguez, Rick’s daughter, has become a key figure for the brand, appearing on the covers of prestigious magazines shortly after its launch.
2️⃣ 🎨 Role of the master blenderRick describes himself as a ‘master blender’ or ‘chef’ who creates harmonious blends using the finest tobaccos.His work involves finding the perfect balance between the tobacco leaves, playing with aromas and strength to tell a story through each cigar.He uses culinary analogies to explain his craft, comparing the creation of a cigar to the preparation of a fine meal.
3️⃣ 💼 West Tampa cigar rangesThe main ranges are White (mild, aimed at the European market), Black (strong, aimed at the American market), Red and Addict.The Addict cigar was initially a test for the Red range, featuring the same blend but different packaging, which influences the taste perception. The difference between White and Black lies in a different tobacco leaf used in the filler, highlighting either the wrapper (White) or the filler (Black).West Tampa plans to launch a second instalment of the ‘Circle of Life’ trilogy in 2027, based on Honduran tobacco.
4️⃣ 🌍 International experience and the ‘Circle of Life’ trilogy Rick worked in factories in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua, learning the various methods of fermentation and rolling.This experience inspired the “Circle of Life” trilogy, with each instalment representing a different producing country. The collaboration with Ernesto, regarded as the “Godfather of New World Cigars”, has enhanced the quality and recognition of the products.
5️⃣ 👩‍🦰 Women’s role in the cigar industryRick points out that although the industry is predominantly male, more women smoke cigars than men. West Tampa specifically targets women in its marketing strategy, without, however, creating cigars that are specifically ‘feminine’ or sweet, as he believes women smoke just like men.He speaks of his respect for pioneers such as Maria Selva, the first woman to launch a cigar brand in 1995.
6️⃣ 🏭 Factory tours and visitsRick invites enthusiasts to visit the factories in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras, where the workers take pride in their work.He offers to organise tours and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at production.
7️⃣ 🎯 Passion and authenticityRick emphasises that his motivation is a passion for cigars, not money.He values the quality, taste and history behind every cigar.He smokes around 3 to 4 cigars a day, often choosing new releases, but remains loyal to certain brands such as CAO’s Pilon.

🎯 Focus on the most important point: West Tampa’s rapid growth and product strategy

Rapid growth: West Tampa, founded in 2022, has experienced exceptional growth in less than four years, which is unprecedented in the cigar industry. This growth has been recognised by prestigious magazines such as Cigar Aficionado (top 25 in 2025) and Cigar Journal (ranked 11th in the United States).
Differentiated product strategy: The brand offers several ranges with very similar blends but distinct flavour profiles, achieved through subtle variations in the composition of the leaves (e.g. White vs Black).
Packaging and perception: The example of the Addict cigar, identical to the Red in terms of blend but different in packaging, demonstrates the importance of image in the perception of taste.
“Circle of Life” trilogy: This series illustrates the richness of terroirs and production methods across different cigar-producing countries, reinforcing the authenticity and diversity of the products.
Focus on quality and passion: Rick emphasises that success does not come solely from reputation or connections, but above all from the impeccable quality of the cigars, the result of passionate and meticulous work.
Openness and sharing: The brand values transparency and welcoming enthusiasts into its factories, demonstrating a desire to build a community around cigars.

A big thank you to Philippe for taking notes!