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The West Tampa Black Toro is a 6 x 52 Nicaraguan toro with a dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, an Ometepe binder and Condega and Estelà filler, made at Garmendia Cigar Co. Cigar Coop scored it 88 in April 2023, and we sell it as singles.
45 in stock
Description
The West Tampa Black Toro is a 6 x 52 toro from West Tampa Tobacco Co., wrapped in a dark Ecuadorian Habano leaf from the upper part of the plant over a binder from Nicaragua’s Ometepe island and filler from Condega and EstelÃ. Garmendia Cigar Co. rolls it in EstelÃ; the Black debuted in 2022.
What It Tastes Like
Cigar Coop reviewed this exact toro on April 18, 2023, and scored it 88. Its mocha opening later split into coffee and chocolate, with dark berry underneath and white pepper that showed up midway through the first third, built through the middle and then held steady. In other sizes, Cigar Aficionado scored the Black Robusto 90 points (December 2023) and the 6 x 60 Black Gigante 88 points (December 2025), rating both medium-full.
Who It’s For
- Coffee-and-cocoa fans who like Nicaraguan filler under a dark Ecuador wrapper.
- White Toro smokers wanting a step up: Cigar Coop found the Black slightly stronger and fuller than the White in the same size.
- Admirers of Rick Rodriguez’s CAO work curious about his own brand.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Scored 88 by Cigar Coop for this size (April 2023)
- Same blend available in three other sizes
- Made at Garmendia Cigar Co. in EstelÃ
Cons
- The burn on Cigar Coop’s sample had to be corrected several times
- Strength reports vary between outlets and sizes
About West Tampa Black
Rick Rodriguez, who blended for CAO at General Cigar, started West Tampa Tobacco Co. in 2022 with Gus Martinez, also ex-General Cigar. The name points to the Tampa neighborhood that drew Rodriguez’s grandparents, both cigar rollers, from Havana in 1953, according to the company.
Compare Similar Cigars
- West Tampa White Toro: the same 6 x 52 size, with a lighter Ecuadorian Habano wrapper fermented six months rather than nine, per Cigar Coop.
- West Tampa Black Robusto: this blend at 5 x 50, rated 90 by Cigar Aficionado in December 2023.
- West Tampa Black Gigante: a thicker 6 x 60 version, rated 88 by Cigar Aficionado in December 2025.
- West Tampa Black Lancero: a slim 7 x 40 added after launch, per halfwheel.
West Tampa Black Toro FAQ
How strong is the West Tampa Black Toro?
Reports differ. Cigar Coop judged this toro mild-medium early and medium later in its April 2023 review, while Cigar Aficionado listed the Black Robusto and Black Gigante as medium-full. On our shelf tag it reads medium-full.
Who makes the West Tampa Black Toro?
West Tampa Tobacco Co., which Rick Rodriguez and Gus Martinez founded in 2022. Garmendia Cigar Co. rolls it in Nicaragua.
How is the Black different from the West Tampa White?
Both wear Ecuadorian Habano, but the Black’s leaf is darker and taken from higher on the plant, and Cigar Coop says it ferments nine months against six for the White. The Black adds stronger Condega and Estelà filler under an Ometepe binder. For the White’s binder, sources split: Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Coop list Ecuador Habano, while halfwheel lists Nicaraguan.
What size is the Black Toro?
Six inches long with a 52 ring gauge, according to halfwheel and Cigar Coop.
Find the Red, White and Circle of Life blends too on our West Tampa Tobacco Co. cigars page.
Additional information
| Packaging Type | Single |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano |
| Binder | Ometepe Habano |
| Filler | Nicaraguan |
| Length | 6" |
| Gauge | 52 |
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