J.C. Newman Cigar Company

Phenomenal place to visit while on Ybor or Tampa. You will be welcome into the last cigar making company in the United States. Best part? It's family owned and most of the employees have been there for 20+ years. All of them very welcoming and knowledgeable about their trade. You can purchase cigars and enjoy them in a outdoor partio just outside the beautifully restore 100+ yo building. A guided tour for 2 wa very affordable.

This was, by far, an absolutely awesome tour. We got to see the entire process for both machine made, and hand rolled cigars. You get to see where they store the cigars and where they make them. It’s so interesting to watch and you pretty much can walk around With reason and see the rollers up close and personal. And the best part was, we got to meet the owner, Eric Newman. When we were in the museum portion of the tour. He was very personable and friendly. And you can tell that he loves what he does. I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone visiting Tampa and Ybor City!

The tour of the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Ybor City was absolutely incredible! Our timeline was short, but our tour guide, Craig, gave us a super-fast yet comprehensive tour. He was incredibly knowledgeable and truly went the extra mile to ensure we had a great experience! We got to witness everything, from the hand-rolling process to the original machines still in use today. It offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how cigars are made. If you’re in Tampa, don’t miss this unique experience!

I’ve been enjoying quality cigars for 30 years and J.C. Newman’s family of brands does not disappoint. My tops are The American and Brickhouse. Took the guided tour today and couldn’t leave without their sampler pack. Highly recommend visiting for a tour if you enjoy smoking cigars or are just interested in the history and process.

We’ve now been to the JC Newman factory three times, once for their new haunted house experience, and twice for the normal factory tour. The factory tour is a fascinating walk through the history and present not just of the factory, but a bit of Ybor and cigar culture as well. The staff leading the tour are excellent and knowledgeable and those going through their normal working day are very kind and show off great skill. Highly recommended. The haunted house experience was nicely integrated into the basement of the factory and featured some good frights for some of the more timid in our party. We met Mel in marketing there as well and had a great conversation about their future plans. I think she even talked my wife and I into booking a class here in the future!

My son and I have been passionate cigar aficionados for much of our lives. For his birthday, we made a special trip to tour the J.C. Newman Cigar Company and join their cigar-making workshop. As the oldest family-owned premium cigar producer in America, they masterfully combine time-honored traditions with exceptional quality that's rare to come by. What impressed us the most was their dedication to artisanal craftsmanship—especially learning that each cigar is hand-rolled in their iconic Tampa factory, which deepened our respect for the process. The team was welcoming and incredibly well-versed in every aspect of the cigar world.

A Truly Unforgettable Experience – JC Newman Factory Tour From the moment we stepped into the historic JC Newman Cigar Factory, we knew we were in for something special—but the experience far exceeded our expectations. The blend of rich history, craftsmanship, and genuine passion that fills every corner of the building is simply unmatched. It’s more than a tour; it’s a journey through the legacy of America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker. What truly elevated the experience, though, was our extraordinary tour guide. Their depth of knowledge about the cigar industry was nothing short of remarkable. From the origins of tobacco farming to the intricate details of hand-rolling cigars, every explanation was filled with insight, enthusiasm, and personal passion. They didn’t just teach us about cigars—they brought the story of JC Newman and the entire industry to life. You could tell this wasn’t just a job for them—it was something they truly loved, and it made all the difference. The tour beautifully combines the old and the new, with original antique machinery still in operation alongside a modern commitment to tradition and quality. Seeing skilled artisans hand-roll cigars and learning about the company’s dedication to preserving this craft was a privilege. The museum exhibits, rolling rooms, and even the view from the tower offered layers of depth that made the whole experience rich and engaging. Whether you’re a cigar aficionado or just someone who appreciates history, craftsmanship, and great storytelling, the JC Newman Factory Tour is an absolute must. And if you’re lucky enough to have the same guide we did—you’re in for a truly unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!

What an amazing tour. Full of history, the tour guide is very knowledgeable of every single detail. Go ahead, come by, you won't regret it.

I've enjoyed cigars for years--somewhere between a casual smoker and a seasoned one. The Brick House Double Connecticut is one of my favorites, so during a recent trip to Bradenton for a wedding, I made a point to visit the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Tampa. The tour was outstanding. Our guide, Holden, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. He walked us through the entire factory--from basement to third floor--explaining everything from machine-made production to the hand-rolling process. I left with a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every Brick House cigar. We also joined the Cigars 101 session, which ended up being a small group of just three people. Again, Holden made it a great experience. Even as experienced smokers, we learned a lot while enjoying a Brick House Double Connecticut. And yes, I grabbed a box from the gift shop on my way out. Highly recommended for anyone--beginners, casual smokers, or true aficionados. Fantastic experience from start to finish. Thanks, Holden! -- Brian M

We've now been to the JC Newman factory three times, once for their new haunted house experience, and twice for the normal factory tour. The factory tour is a fascinating walk through the history and present not just of the factory, but a bit of Ybor and cigar culture as well. The staff leading the tour are excellent and knowledgeable and those going through their normal working day are very kind and show off great skill. Highly recommended. The haunted house experience was nicely integrated into the basement of the factory and featured some good frights for some of the more timid in our party. We met Mel in marketing there as well and had a great conversation about their future plans. I think she even talked my wife and I into booking a class here in the future!

This review is specific to their Haunted Basement event. I'm not sure if they've offered this before but it was the first time I'd heard about it. I thought they did a great job putting on the haunted house. You choose a time for the tour and are in a group of about 15 with an actor leasing you through the basement. You get to see a lot of the parts of the factory and hear a little bit of history in addition to the scares. It was a lot of fun.

Did you know that the shade of a cigar wrapper can tell you whether it'll be a lighter or more full body flavor? I sure as heck didn't! Even though I've tried it before, all I know is you do not inhale the smoke. LOL We stayed in Ybor so we decided to swing by J.C. Newman Cigar Company since it wasn't too far from La Segunda Central Bakery. You don't need to schedule a tour before coming but I think it might be best to since a party fully booked their later tour time. I was just going to buy a couple cigars but ended up paying for the tour ($15/person). I think the tour is supposed to last around an hour and fifteen mins but I'll say that it honestly depends on how many questions your group has! We had to leave a little early since we had to check out of our hotel and I wish we could've stayed! Our tour guide, Cody, was really great at telling the story behind this cigar company! We walked through the museum on the first floor, and then wandered down to the basement that was a treasure trove of cigar history. After that we moved upstairs to see how they process the tobacco leaves, walked through the stations where the machines were rolling the cigars, and I think I saw Drew Newman being interviewed on the top floor which was neat. If you decide not to do the tour, you can still learn about the history via the little museum on the first floor. I'm not sure if you can wander around the factory or basement like we did tho lol. There were a couple rooms in the basement that definitely need supervision for us to be in there. Definitely worth a visit and kudos again to Cody!

Had a couple hours to kill on a recent trip to the West Coast and decided to check out this place out. Originally started in 1895, J.C. Newman is America's oldest family run premium cigar maker, and not only are they still doing it the way they did back then, but you can do it too! The cigar-rolling experience is so much fun and well worth the money and time you'll spend. After a short history of the factory, the process is explained and then you're brought out to your station and introduced to your tools. A chaveta is the curved knife you cut the leaves into shape with and your main implement, then you have a capper, a guillotine cutter, and some cigar glue. The concept is pretty simple though getting perfectly smooth roll is definitely an art form perfected with practice. I am currently waiting for my cigars to finish drying and can't wait to try something I created!

This was one of my favorite things we did on this trip. This is a great spot to learn more about Ybor and the history of cigar making which is what put Tampa on the map and made it a major city. We had a wonderful conversation with the employees doing the cigar rolling on the top floor. The museum is small but very interesting. Highly recommend a stop if you are in Tampa.

I was waiting to come to Tampa to see and experience the El Reloj building. I was extremely disappointed. There was just a lackluster enthusiasm here. I could not tell the employees how much the American Cigar was my favorite cigar enough. They could care less and didn't have any energy. I was disappointed. In the store they had a box of American long cigars, with a price on it. I wanted to buy it. They said "sorry-not for sale". It was a let down and I really feel bad about it. I love the brand but hated, hated the vibe here. The building itself is magnificent and beautiful. Just not what I expected. A huge let down.

Amazing experience. The tour was very engaging and fun. Definitely recommend even if you're not cigar lover.

The last cigar factory in America!!! They have an amazing headquarters with a gift shop and an amazing museum with the history of cigars and JC Newman history. I did the roll your own cigar class which was the high point of my trip. I learned more about cigars in 2 hours than I knew my whole life. A must for couple and friends to have a great experience together! Service was exceptional and the price was definitely worth it!!!

If you're into cigars, this place is a goldmine! You can literally watch people roll cigars and every part of the process. It was super interesting! We did not take the tour, but it was still awesome just walking around and seeing parts of the process.

We had a great tour. I was there with a few friends from our cigar club and had a very good tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. He was open to all questions that we had. We were allowed to get up close to really see how the process worked and the employees were very nice putting up with us coming through their work spaces. I can really see the professionalism and the attention to detail that they follow. I can see why they are a top cigar company. It's nice to go to a company and see that all the employees look as if they are really enjoying their job and the company that they work for I highly recommend that if your in the area not to miss this tour even if your not a cigar smoker it's still worth it.

Excellent tour for everyone not just people interested in cigar. The history, legacy and craftsmanship displayed by everyone at El Reloj is remarkable. If you're in Tampa this is a don't miss tour

Excellent tour and would highly recommend to anyone seeking knowledge on the history of J.C. Newman and the process of what it takes to construct a great cigar.

What an amazing factory! So incredibly much history throughout. Love the smoking courtyard across street. Thank you to Erick for the very personalized tour.

The staff was very knowledgeable and did a nice job of imparting the history of not only J.C. Newman but of Ybor itself. They offer a factory tour, cigar rolling class and a tasting of some of the different tobaccos that they use. My son and I experienced all three. Well worth the time and money.

A must go for history buffs as well cigar lovers! The tour was both entertaining and educational!

if you like cigars it's a must go.... My Wife & I enjoyed and learned so much . We even got to meet Eric Newman, not to say you will but you get to meet his awesome Staff. They have a beautiful park across the street you can smoke your cigars or even in the back of the factory.

The factory tour and cigar rolling class are both amazing!! We learned so much about Ybor city's history and culture on the tour of the building. The cigar rolling class was so fun and we even got our own custom cigars to take home! The building is beautiful, well preserved and smells incredible! The staff is warm and welcoming. Highly recommended for a fun outing for visitors and locals alike!

My son and I made a special trip from Michigan to Ybor to visit the JC Newman cigar factory. We did the factory tour, cigar rolling in which they showed us how to roll the cigars and how the machine cigars are made. We also the tobacco tasting. it was a great experience. These are 3 separate events. we chose to do them all in one day. it's easily do able. the staff is incredible. very knowledgeable and friendly.

Planned ahead for this trip and was not disappointed this time. The cigar tasting tour was very professional by Holden and the tour was informative. The selection of cigars is outstanding and the brand ambassadors know their stuff.

Maybe if you went for a tour it would be worth a visit. There were no signs in terms of tour hours, if you need to ask for an individual tour. I walked in, looked around, proceeded up the flights of stairs and peeked into the rolling room. Not sure of the protocol, I didnt go in and wonder around; in order to not disturb the employees. The shop on the first floor is a bit of an embarrassment. I have seen hotel cigar shops that had more options. Not much in term and very limited cigar options. I can't say there was a better price than most stores, even on the options they had. Not sure its a worth a visit.

Great service, decent selection, value is to each their own. Had a specialty cigar that they only had one box of. The cigar sucked for the price. Cool place to check out but buy cigars is always a customers choice I will have to choose different t if I ever go there again.

Outstanding! Both the Factory Tour and Cigar Rolling Experience were unique and informative. Cody was great with the many stories about the Newman family and their process in establishing the tobacco business in Connecticut and Tampa. Also, it was very special to get to shake hands with Bobby Newman himself. To my surprise, I left with a personalized small cigar box with the 5 cigars I rolled with my very own label on it. My family also enjoyed the experience very much and to get to speak to the factory employees as we walked around. A true 5 STAR experience, strongly recommended!

Intimate and informative tour! was not expecting much since I know nothing about cigars, but was intrigued during the entire tour and did not want it to end. I wish they had a few more things in the gift shop for us that do not smoke: stickers/magnets/Christmas ornaments and tees.

Very unimpressed with the factory. Mostly machine made cigars. Found the people to be unfriendly and indifferent. Company was more focused on promoting their DEI PHILOSOPHY. Good luck.

I'm a regular buyer here and Craig, Holden, Cody and Dan are always welcoming. All are very knowledgeable and well seasoned cigar smokers that really care about J.C.Newman and the wide selection they offer. Today was my fourth time taking the tour, this is not a tourist draw but a actual working cigar factory, the last one in the states. Well worth the time and money! You will be surprised by what you learn visiting.

I participated the very informative factory tour yesterday. The survival of this company for 130 years is an amazing story, now run by the third generation of Newmans. I bought some of their cigars, hoping to smoke one today. Highly recommend the factory tour.

My wife and I are celebrating my bday weekend and what better way to celebrate than to get great info on cigars and tobacco. We had an amazing time at the factory and learned so much about the history of J.C. Newman. I rate it 10/10 and highly recommend.

We took the tour today, what a history lesson! It was very interesting and informative we even got to meet a Newman, our guide was fantastic letting us put hands on and smell some different tobacco, sooo cool!

Very cool place. Lots of history. I saw a room full of folks hand rolling and a Nice factory store. Employees recommend local businesses for lunch etc.

Such a great tour. Informative. Interesting history. Lots to learn about Tampa, tobacco and cigars. Particularly loved the rollers on the top floor.

This was a wonderful experience! We got very lucky, because typically they do not do tours on the weekend days. We had arranged to fly into town two days earlier than our cruise specifically to do this tour. We were sad when we found it was closed Saturday....BUT....later (why I checked again ...I have no idea!) and there was appointments available!!! The vibe in the place was historic, considerate, proud and kind. We would recommend this fun informative tour any time! The staff were welcoming and provided great insight into the history of cigar making. Thank you SO SO SO much for adding the tour on Saturday! My husband is a cigar smoker and enjoyed this more than you can imagine! Thank you!

The tour of the JC Newman Cigar Company in Ybor City was such an excellent and informative inside look into the world of cigars. The staff was immensely friendly and went out of their way to make the tour members feel welcomed. If you are looking for something to do, with or without prior knowledge of cigars (we had zero experience), this tour is a fun thing to do with people of all ages.

This was a great tour. Our guide, Holden, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable on all aspects of the operations and very nice. I was inspired to help support your local Tampa operations by buying a box of "American" hand rolled cigars but was told I was unable to. I did buy a bundle of the local machine rolled and singles of numerous other cigars but would have loved to support the local Tampa hand rollers that we saw. I also think you should have a cigar lounge where one can sit and smoke and perhaps have an adult beverage and expanded offerings of your fine products. I highly recommend this tour for anyone smoker or not as it was very interesting and shows what is left of why Tampa is called "Cigar City".

The tour was really interesting. We got to learn about the cigar industry, and we watched cigars being made by machine and by hand. The price was very reasonable also. Overall a great experience.

If you are into cigar then you need to stop by this spot in Tampa. I been visiting Tampa for many years for work but never came in for a tour. FYI - the smell is strong in the factory and you can also smoke inside. The stuff was very professional and gave a nice tour. They also rent out their venue to events and even have beautiful vintage rugs.

A most worthwhile tour if you're in Tampa. Just an amazing and eye opening experience. Even if you don't smoke cigars, it's worth learning the history of cigar making.

wow. what a beautiful building and taste of this fine country! i felt honored putting my size 8.5 feet into history as I explored the first family owned cigar company in the US. special thanks to the hand rollers and the 2 workers who were helpful in supplementing my limited cigar knowledge! i was able to pick up some special goodies while learning about the long history of this magnificent company. trigger warning for tennessee volunteers fans: they WILL pronounce vols as "vulls." that alone almost ruined our amazing jc newman cigar company experience!

A very interesting tour of the last cigar factory in Tampa. The tour guide was very informative and knowledgeable. The history of cigar making was fascinating and the tour brings you right into the working factory for an up close view of old school cigar making.

Great tour. Worth the time. You will gain great insight into how cigars are made, differences in hand rolled versus machine made, the history in America, and so much more.

Amazing tour to truly understand the importance and historical background of cigar making in Ybor City. This is a place to take friends visiting the Tampa Bay area. You will be "up close" to see how the process is done to make cigars using machines from the 1930s and individual hand rolling of cigars.

Such a great experience, our tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. The building is beautiful. Awesome to see how cigars are made and how scientifically managed the process is. Totally recommend.

We did the tour, tasting, and roll your own. I highly recommend any and all of their tours. The tours were very informative. We all learned something. The gift shop has a good selection of their cigars at reasonable prices.

Fantastic tour with a very knowledgeable guide. It was very impressive to see the operation and even more special to meet and have a little chat with both the president and vice president of the company (note, that is NOT officially part of the tour but was a sheer lucky coincident). The smells inside the facility are also simply amazing. If you are at all interested in cigars, this is the tour to take.

The absolute highlight of my recent visit to Tampa. Lucky enough to meet and spend time with the grandson of the founder, Eric Newman. Oh, the stories he can tell! Have become quite a fan of The American, and was able to snag a box of them while I was at the factory. Felt like a real VIP to have this tour of the oldest remaining family-owned premium cigar factory in the country. Even if you are not a cigar fan, this is a must-see and must-smell for all! I'm sure the knowledgeable staff will make you feel like a VIP, too!

What an incredible tour! Our tour guide was fun and especially informative. The process to create a cigar is more intricate than I would have ever thought and they actually create almost 60,000 cigars a day in this factory! I am not a fan of cigars (but hubby is) and even I had a great time! Do yourself a favor and go to J.C. Newman!

We just took the afternoon tour with Cody. He was young, but extremely knowledgeable and hilarious! It's hard to believe all the detail and history that goes into cigar making. Would love to bring out-of-town guests and take this tour a second time.

I classify myself somewhere between a casual cigar smoker and a cigar enthusiast, who enjoys architecture and history. I found this history and factory tour to be one of the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Our tour tour guide was perfectly engaging without being pretentious. He was courteous and thoughtful of the guests and the workers. When addressing people working the stations, he called them out by name. All were great sports about being on display during the tour. The guide's knowledge of the history was apparent and smoothly delivered. He knew his stuff! We were walked through four floors of cigar manufacturing wonderment. Including the basement. This was an extremely clean basement but still had the coziness and mystic of an industrial building. Got to see the J.C. Newman collection, fermenting room and tobacco prepping area, a ride in a freight elevator, 3rd floor hand rolling and filler prep, 2nd floor cigar rolling and wrapper machines and the first floor gift shop and museum. Tour group was small and the tour lasted an hour. Getting their is easy from the Ybor historic district. We walked and took 10 mins. Stopped at La Segura bakery along the way. Felt safe for all of it. Highly recommend

The tour was fantastic and the building is beautiful. Our tour guide, Holden, was very informative and highly detailed, and engaged the guests and answered all their questions. I loved seeing the history alongside the current practices, and appreciated the "hands-on" nature of the tour. My only complaint was that it was too short! I could have spent all day watching the staff at work and looking at all the history in the archives room. Thanks for sharing your little part of the world with those of us who really appreciate both cigars and history.