Tampa Sweetheart #500 Maduro

Went to Tampa Sweethearts this past Sat with the wife and daughter. Missed their closing time a few weekends ago, so this trip was strictly to pick up a bundle and see what else they had to offer.

I could not leave without buying a couple Anejos, but the TS#500 will be in todays spotlight. I bought a bundle of 20, #500 ( 4 1/2 x 50 ) in the maduro wrapper for $42.75. Thats $2.13 a stick!

As most know, but some might not...Tampa Sweatherts are A. Fuente apprentice rolled. These are not "seconds" of any A. Fuente premium brand.

I am not the best reviewer because i do not have the taste vocabulary that alot of you have, but I know a good cigar when I smoke one. For me this was unbelievable for a smoke at this price. First off out of the 20 in my bundle, none had imperfections...NONE. They all felt perfect, not to tight nor loose.
I used a punch because I could tell the draw was not going to be tight. After I toasted the foot and took the first couple light puffs, I swore I thought I was smoking a PAM ( reference to draw only). Perfect!, just the way I like it, and tons of smoke without having to work for it.

For my taste buds (I still have a minor sinus infection), it was a medium/full bodied stick. There were hints of cocoa, and some sweetness here and there from the maduro wrapper. Over all a very smooth cigar that smoked and tasted more like a $10+ cigar. I was very impressed, and happy I bought 20 of them. I would not hesitate buying these for someone as a gift.

The burn was also not what I expected from and apprentice rolled smoke. There were no runs, and it smoked pretty darn even all the way to the nub.

Finish was medium, with no bitter bite.

I have now found my go to cheap cigar...and my wallet/wife are thankful.





The lighter in the pictures is from Elite Brands. I bought two of these yesterday for under $5.00 each at Walgreens. Seem to be another great bargain. Figured it was the perfect lighter to lite my bargain cigar. Plus they are made in the USA.





My preferred drink with a cigar is usually coffee, sweet tea, or Dr. Pepper.



Hope someone gets some use from my review.

Michael

[kelmac07]

Great pics and nice review.

[alley00p]

Thanks for the great review, Michael!

I've been trying to decide on buying some of these, and after your review, I think I'll pull the trigger on some Tampa Sweethearts!

Thanks guys. My only warning would be that since these are apprentice rolled, they may vary from batch to batch. So even though all 20 sticks in my bundle appear to be very nice with no flaws...other bundle may not be as great. If I had more room to store cigars I would definitely not hesitate in buying more.

I actually had to put these sticks in a La Fontana box with a humi pack for now. I am in the hunt for a bargain humi. I know I could use a cooler, but my wife will not stand for a cooler to sit in the house, and my garage is way too hot to keep smokes.

[kaelaria]

Great review! I have to stop up there sometime soon.

Very nice review. I may have to pull the trigger on some of these.

[Hitagain]

I have been waiting to see a review on these before I ordered some. Nice pond I wish my lilys were that big already. Thanks for the review.

[longknocker]

Nice Review & Pics., Michael! Sounds like a good smoke!

I have smoked a couple more of these since my review...they keep getting better and better. I am buying more the next free Saturday I have.

[G G]

I need to try one sounds like a great smoke.

[kelmac07]

Seems you can only buy these buy the bundle. They don't offer single sales online?

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Seems you can only buy these buy the bundle. They don't offer single sales online?

I could not even buy a single "at the factory", but $42 for 20 cigars...thats cheap enough to hand them out as business cards.

Thats actually not a bad idea...have custom bands with your company logo and contact info printed on them. Give them out in place of business cards.

[kelmac07]

Care to trade a couple away?

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Care to trade a couple away?

Replied to PM.

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Of course...I go to pull the trigger on a bundle and they sold out of the maduro.

Where did you try ordering from?



I smoked another one this morning at work. I can not decide which cigar tasted better today...the #500 Maduro, or the PAM 26. (serious!)

[jledou]

Need to break open my bundle I have sitting in the cooler now. Thanks for the review!

[kelmac07]

Of course...I go to pull the trigger on a bundle and they sold out of the maduro.

[kelmac07]

Tried ordering from Tampa Sweethearts. Know of another place?

Not that I would trust. I have never ordered any cigars before.
I will call them Monday...they are closed now. I need to buy a couple bundles for myself.

[TripleF]

Originally Posted by flat6nut

Not that I would trust. I have never ordered any cigars before.
I will call them Monday...they are closed now. I need to buy a couple bundles for myself.

If you have any extra's could I buy a couple from ya or trade something? Your review makes them sound tasty

[jjirons69]

Michael, thanks for letting the cat out of the bag! These are great bundle smokes and are best not advertised. Now they won't be in stock for weeks!