West Tampa Devil Crab

In Florida, you can find crab cakes almost everywhere. The crab croquette, or Devil Crab, symbolises the very essence of Tampa’s vibrant culinary history. It was created to reflect the gastronomic diversity of the Spanish, Cuban and Italian immigrant communities that settled there. These communities also laid the foundations for Tampa’s thriving cigar industry.

Rick Rodriguez, a leading master blender in the cigar world, sought to pay tribute to Florida and its symbols through the creation of the Devil Crab cigar. The West Tampa Tobacco Company was founded in 1953 by his grandparents, two master cigar rollers originally from Havana, who came from Cuba to Tampa to carry on their craft. It was thus the elongated shape of the Devil Crab croquette that served as the inspiration for this cigar’s Figurado vitola.

Tasting menu

Opt for a straight cut for this cigar. The tight gauge of the Figurado format will automatically result in a tight draw, which will open up once the thinnest part has been smoked. This marks the start of a wonderful journey to Florida.

The opening notes of this cigar are sharp and unmistakable. Not peppery, but distinctly spicy (like bird’s eye chilli). The spiciness lingers, leaving a very pleasant aftertaste that tantalises the taste buds.

The flavour then mellows, giving way to notes of cocoa nibs, with a well-controlled hint of bitterness. A rich, steady smoke envelops the cigar. The construction is flawless, the ash is very dense, and the ‘stocky’ shape gives it an even more compact and dense appearance. It feels very pleasant to hold.

Pairing

The answer lies in the question. Spicy crab cakes will be its best friend. We first tasted it with a well-seasoned beef tartare (and our friend Giuseppe Spiga, who enlivened the meal with his entertaining anecdotes): it pairs perfectly with all kinds of spicy dishes.

Momentum

Invite some friends round, crack open a good bottle of red and organise a proper feast. It’s a cigar to share, one that tells a story… and makes you want to tell your own.

A cigar-related anecdote

Devil Crab crab cakes served as the inspiration for the Figurado shape of this cigar.