Tampa, Fla. – Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. began shipping cigars to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Two hundred and fifty premium cigar retailers will each receive a special set of 250 cigars handmade in America’s last large cigar factory. These limited-edition cigars and boxes bear the official America250 seal.

“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with American-made cigars.”

First harvested in the Virginia Colony in 1612, tobacco fueled the growth of the early Americas. At the time of the American Revolution, tobacco was cultivated in all 13 Colonies and many founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were tobacco farmers.

“When my great-grandfather founded our family business in 1895, there were 40,000 cigar factories in the United States,” said Newman. “Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the country. It is our privilege to keep America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite cigars in the United States.”

This release includes The American and Angel Cuesta cigars along with the El Reloj Collection sampler. The American is the first 100% all-American cigar. It is rolled in El Reloj entirely from heirloom American tobaccos, and all of its packaging is made in America as well. First rolled for Spain’s King Alfonso XIII a century ago, Angel Cuesta is a smooth and refined cigar with an Ecuador Havana or Nicaraguan Shade wrapper. This set includes the first release of the new Angel Cuesta Shade Double Robusto cigar.

In 2016, Congress established the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026. America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, aims to engage all Americans in celebrating this historic milestone—including through licensing its America250 branding for unique, made-in-America products.

The Newman family invites cigar enthusiasts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by lighting an America250 cigar and by visiting El Reloj. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore J.C. Newman’s museum, take a guided factory tour, learn how to hand roll cigars, or attend a private event. El Reloj is the highest rated museum in Tampa on TripAdvisor.