West Tampa Chef Rick is the latest culinary-inspired release in the brand’s popular Food Series, handcrafted at Tabacalera Pages de Nicaragua S.A. This 6 x 52 toro features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder with Nicaraguan fillers.
The milk chocolate-colored wrapper has a light oily sheen and a slightly toothy, sandy texture accented by a few visible veins, giving the cigar an inviting, handcrafted appearance.
The first third opens with a flavorful combination of leafy hay, barnyard, and gentle spice. Notes of charred beef tips, cinnamon dusting, graham cracker, and chocolate-covered almonds create an intriguing savory-sweet balance, while roasted coffee, coffee cake sweetness, honey, molasses, sweet tea, earth, pistachio, and a touch of black pepper round out a layered and engaging profile.
As the cigar settles into the second third, the sweetness becomes more pronounced with flavors reminiscent of candied yams topped with marshmallow and vanilla. Cedar and light roasted coffee continue to anchor the profile alongside baking spices, subtle amaretto, and smooth leather, while a nostalgic aroma of an old wooden shed adds additional character and depth.
The final third leans into richer, earthier flavors as barnyard, leather, and oak take center stage. A lingering finish of salty mocha espresso is complemented by light roasted coffee, while subtle hints of amaretto and cherry remain in the background, providing a satisfying and refined conclusion.
Overall, West Tampa Chef Rick is an approachable medium-bodied cigar that steadily builds in complexity without becoming overpowering. The evolving balance of sweet, savory, earthy, and coffee-driven flavors makes it enjoyable from start to finish, while its smooth draw, solid construction, and clean burn enhance the experience. Although a few reviewers mentioned having to relight a few times which impacted the overall score, the consensus is that Chef Rick delivers a rewarding smoking experience suitable for both seasoned enthusiasts and smokers looking to step into fuller-bodied cigars with confidence.
Overall Score: 89.33 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 5.29 out of 10
This Blind Review (Cigar #37-A) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising of: Paul Nabs, Joe Hallett, Brett Y, Scott Treptow, Chris Leblanc, Rob Smith, My Cigar Pilgrimage, Tripp, Dr. Stogie -Blake Epling, Jay Stanley, James Espino, Joshua Carroll, Brett Zylstra, & Sean Martin
