And that’s how today’s show came to be. This morning, I’ll be interviewing Drew Newman, the fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman. It’s a bit of a weird title, but I suppose it is better than owner in waiting. When Drew’s father, Eric, and his uncle, Bobby, retire, Drew will take over as the head honcho of J.C. Newman, but in many ways, Drew is already the one guiding the company.
Nowhere is that more prevalent than at El Reloj, the company’s headquarters and historic cigar factory in Tampa’s Ybor City. A handful of years ago, I was at El Reloj to say hi, and Eric Newman told me about the massive renovations and expansion that the company was about to start. Drew wanted to make El Reloj a cigar tourism operation, event space and more. Eric thought the idea was crazy. But as Eric told me, “it’s Drew’s money anyways…”
With that modernization complete, El Reloj now welcomes thousands of visitors annually, offers guided and unguided tours, hosts cigar rolling classes and so much more. But there’s a lot more planned, including one of the most fascinating projects I’ve heard of in the cigar industry in quite some time. Today, Drew will talk about it while I build Legos.
What is a Cigar?
A cigar is a long, cylindrical roll of tobacco for smoking. It is generally made of several leaves, including the wrapper leaf, binder leaf, and filler. The leaves are tied together by a thread or strip. Cigars are made from different blends of tobacco and can be used in a variety of sizes, shapes, and flavors.
Many smokers enjoy the social aspect of cigar smoking, as it is often done in groups. It can be a great way to relax and de-stress after work or a long day. Some people also find that smoking a cigar is an activity that allows them to engage in mindfulness and contemplation.
However, it is important to note that the health risks of cigar smoking should be considered before starting to smoke one. Smoking any tobacco product can have detrimental effects on your health, and cigars are no exception. The smoke from a cigar contains many harmful chemicals and can cause lung damage, among other things. Keeping these health risks in mind, it is best to only smoke cigars of high quality and in moderation.
Cigars are typically smoked by men. They are more popular with adults than youth, but they are increasingly being used by younger people. Some youths use flavored cigars, which are available in fruit, dessert, and alcoholic flavors. These are marketed to youth and are a major reason why some middle and high school students report using them. According to a 2021 study, flavored cigars are used at higher rates by black youth than by other youths.
