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