Rick Rodriguez

36 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim brings your favorite cigar podcasters back to the microphone once again to dive deeper into the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Cigar Company. The trio talk about the fun that can be had in the industry when going to events and meeting you favorite cigar…

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Episode 133: Chef Rick & Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co.

James and Nick sit down with Chef Rick Rodriguez and his daughter Sara, of West Tampa Tobacco Co. We discuss what they’ve learned since starting West Tampa Tobacco. From what they thought being prepared looked like, to wearing different hats for the company, to learning to delegate. Sara discusses the stories that she’s making, the…

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Cigar Review: The Attic from West Tampa Tobacco Co.

We, at least all the cool kids, were excited when Rick Rodriguez stepped out on his own with West Tampa Tobacco. Rick worked at General/CAO/STG for over 20 years, helping to blend some well-known and very popular cigars, such as the Flathead and the Amazon Bason, which made quite a splash with its re-release. West…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Toro

My most recent podcast episode features Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. During our conversation, Rick discussed what it was like going from a “corporate kitchen” (CAO) full of “ingredients” (almost any tobacco he wanted to work with), to a “home kitchen” (WTTC) with few ingredients (limited access to tobacco) to work…

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Episode 90: A Conversation with Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co.

This episode, I am joined by the father and daughter team of Rick and Sara Rodgriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. The three of us discuss how Rick started his cigar journey, and who taught him to blend and run a cigar company. We talk about their vision for the West Tampa Tobacco Co. and…

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