Tampero Cigars Ybor City

Tampero Cigars Ybor City sits right in one of Tampa's most storied cigar districts, and it has earned a strong reputation among the folks who take their sticks seriously. The house brand is the draw here. People who shop this store swear by the Tampero line, from the delicate white label to the richer red label and the maduro, which one regular compared favorably to the Nicaraguan gordos he usually reaches for. Ask anyone who has smoked one and they will tell you the construction is spot on and the draw is easy.

Beyond the house cigars, the walk-in humidor keeps a deep and varied lineup. You will find Arturo Fuente and the coveted Opus X, Drew Estate and Liga Privada, My Father, Oliva, Plasencia, Perdomo, Quesada, Rocky Patel, Nub, and JC Newman. Locals point out that a lot of what Tampero carries is genuinely hard to track down elsewhere, and the word around Ybor is that the prices come in fair next to other shops in the neighborhood. They stock smoking accessories too, and even a few cool T-shirts if you want to take home more than a smoke.

Vladimir and Anni run the place, and the hospitality is a big part of why people come back. We hear they will point you toward other spots in the area for a smoke and a drink, talk you through the local history, and go out of their way when you are hunting a specific stick. One visitor came in looking for something particular, and when the fellow behind the counter could not find it, he called the owner over video so the three of them could search together, then threw in some free accessories for the trouble. That is the kind of place this is.

We have heard the occasional grumble about shipping times on mail orders, so if you are ordering from afar, plan ahead. In person, though, this is a genuine gem for any cigar guy or gal passing through Tampa. Highly recommended.