The inaugural episode of the Hand Rolled docuseries, Hand Rolled: J.C. Newman Cigar Co., will premiere on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. for free on YouTube. This series follows the success of the Hand Rolled film, which has been streamed more than 250,000 times on YouTube. Prior to the release of the episode, filmmakers Steve Gherebean and Jesse Mariut will discuss the episode with Drew Newman live on YouTube at 7:00 p.m. ET. on Tuesday.
“We invite you to join us as we delve into the illustrious 128-year history of the oldest cigar company in America,” said Gherebean and Mariut. “The episode tells the story of how Tampa became the ‘Fine Cigar Capital of the World’ and how the Newman family keeps the American cigar-making tradition alive at El Reloj, the last traditional cigar factory still operating in the United States.”
The Hand Rolled docuseries was produced by Render Social, the award-winning production company who behind the Hand Rolled film. This episode includes interview with Jeff Borysiewicz of Corona Cigar Co. , Aimee Cooks VP and GM of El Reloj, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente of Arturo Fuente, Patrick Lagreid of Halfwheel, American Historian Gary Mormino, Scott Pearce the Executive Director of PCA, Historian E.J. Salcines, and David Savona from Cigar Aficionado along with the Newman family.
“This episode will bring cigar enthusiasts from around the world to the ‘Cigar City’ of Tampa, Florida,” said Newman. “It shares the colorful history Tampa’s Ybor City National Historic Cigar District, which at its peak had 150 cigar factories rolling more than 500 million cigars by hand per year. My family and I are so grateful to Render Social and Executive Producer Pete Johnson for helping us share this important cigar story.”
