Discover the Best Foundation Cigars for Every Occasion

Looking for the Best Foundation cigars? This article highlights top selections from Foundation Cigar Company, including options for both seasoned aficionados and beginners. Founded by Nicholas Melillo in June of 2015, the company has quickly become a favorite among cigar enthusiasts. Discover which cigars stand out, their unique flavor notes, and why they deserve a place in your humidor.

Introduction to Foundation Cigar Company

Foundation Cigar Company, founded by Nicholas Melillo in 2015, has quickly risen to prominence in the world of premium cigars. With over two decades of experience in the tobacco industry, Nick Melillo, often referred to as a master blender and cigar aficionado, has brought his extensive knowledge and passion to every cigar crafted under the Foundation banner.

Nick Melillo’s journey in the tobacco world has seen him collaborate with some of the most esteemed tobacco growers globally, including those in Nicaragua and Honduras. His expertise in blending and fermenting tobaccos has resulted in cigars that boast complex flavors and nuanced profiles, captivating cigar enthusiasts worldwide.

The Foundation Cigar Company portfolio is a testament to Melillo’s dedication to quality and innovation. Each cigar, from the oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper of the Tabernacle Havana Seed to the rich, dark chocolate notes of the Wise Man Maduro, is meticulously crafted to offer an exceptional smoking experience. The Charter Oak, another standout in the Foundation lineup, reflects the company’s deep ties to Connecticut’s rich tobacco history.

Foundation’s commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of their production process. By maintaining strong relationships with tobacco growers and focusing on traditional craftsmanship, the company ensures that each cigar meets the highest standards. This dedication to excellence has earned Foundation Cigar Company a reputation as a leading player in the premium cigar industry.

In this section, we will delve deeper into the world of Foundation Cigar Company, exploring their history, philosophy, and unwavering commitment to quality. We will also take a closer look at some of their most popular cigars, including the Charter Oak, Tabernacle, and Wise Man Maduro, and uncover the complex flavors and characteristics that have made them beloved by cigar enthusiasts.

Join us as we embark on a journey into the world of Foundation Cigar Company, discovering what makes them one of the most respected and cherished premium cigar manufacturers in the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Foundation Cigar Company offers a variety of options for both experienced smokers and beginners, showcasing a range of flavor notes, flavors, and strengths to suit different preferences.

• Notable cigars such as The Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro and The Upsetters Django exemplify the brand’s commitment to quality, featuring intricate blends and approachable smoking experiences.

• The brand is recognized for its unique blends and limited edition offerings, emphasizing quality craftsmanship and strong relationships with tobacco growers to ensure a premium product. Its portfolio includes renowned blends such as ‘El Gueguense,’ ‘The Tabernacle,’ and ‘Charter Oak.’

Top Foundation Cigars for Experienced Smokers

Seasoned cigar aficionados will find a variety of premium options from Foundation Cigar Company, catering to sophisticated palates. These cigars are renowned for their deep, intricate flavors and meticulous craftsmanship, offering a full-bodied smoke that evolves with each puff, revealing distinct flavor notes. The aging process allows the flavors to develop and mature, resulting in a refined and hard-to-match smoking experience. Among these, the El Gueguense has been highly praised, earning a 92-point rating from critics, further solidifying its reputation as a premium choice.

Among the popular cigars in the Foundation portfolio, two stand out for their complexity and richness: The Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro and the Wise Man Maduro. The Tabernacle, one of the most popular lines from Foundation, highlights the company’s commitment to quality and its skill in blending tobaccos from various regions to create a symphony of flavors.

The Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro

The Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro exemplifies the artistry of the Foundation Cigar Company, offering a rich tapestry of flavor notes, including dark chocolate and espresso, with a spicy finish that lingers on the palate. Wrapped in a luxurious Connecticut Broadleaf, this cigar offers a rich tapestry of flavors, including dark chocolate and espresso, with a spicy finish that lingers on the palate. The smoking experience evolves from mocha and cedar notes to a stronger black coffee profile, maintaining a creamy texture throughout. It also features a nutty profile of licorice and cedar with a sweet finish, adding to its complexity.

Available in a 24-count box, the 6 x 52 size of the Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro ensures a satisfying smoking session that can be savored over time. A must-have for any humidor, this cigar reflects the brand’s dedication to creating robust and memorable experiences.

Wise Man Maduro

The Wise Man Maduro, another gem from the Foundation cigars portfolio, is crafted with a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, resulting in a well-balanced flavor profile with rich flavor notes of dark cocoa and spices, making it a nuanced choice for experienced smokers.

Rich notes of dark cocoa, baking spices, and a hint of black pepper deliver a full-bodied, complex, and satisfying smoke.

The Wise Man Maduro stands out for both its flavor and craftsmanship, embodying the brand’s commitment to excellence.

Best Foundation Cigars for Beginners

Selecting the right cigar is crucial for newcomers to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience. With distinct flavor notes that are easy to appreciate, Foundation Cigar Company provides several options perfect for beginners, with approachable flavors and smooth smoking experiences to ease newcomers into the rich world of cigars.

Two notable choices are The Upsetters Django and the Charter Oak Connecticut Shade. Offering milder flavors and strengths, these cigars are ideal for novice smokers to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed.

The Upsetters Django

The Upsetters Django, in a robust 5 x 54 size, offers unique infused flavor notes that appeal to beginners. Available in a 20-count box, this cigar provides mild to medium strength with smooth, enjoyable flavors, making it an excellent introduction to premium cigars.

Charter Oak Connecticut Shade

The Charter Oak Connecticut Shade, featuring an oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and a Connecticut broadleaf binder, offers mellow flavor notes of cedar, coffee, and a hint of sweetness, making it another fantastic option for beginners. Its smooth smoking experience is perfect for those just starting their cigar journey. The Charter Oak brand is named for a historic tree in Connecticut, reflecting the company’s ties to the region. The Charter Oak line is also known for its craftsmanship and affordability, with cigars typically priced between five to seven dollars each, making it a popular choice among a wide range of smokers.

In 2018, this cigar received a score of 93 points, highlighting its quality and appeal. Its approachable flavors and premium build make the Charter Oak Connecticut Shade a great addition to any novice’s humidor. Cigar Aficionado also rated the Charter Oak Connecticut Broadleaf 93 points, showcasing its exceptional craftsmanship and flavor.

Unique Blends in the Foundation Cigars Portfolio

Foundation Cigar Company is renowned for its distinctive blends, combining quality tobacco from various regions to create cigars with complex flavor notes and unique profiles. Crafted in small batches to maintain high standards, these blends offer a rich and consistent smoking experience. All Foundation cigars are handmade in Estelí, Nicaragua, a region known for its premium tobacco production.

Among these unique blends, El Güegüense and Highclere Castle Senetjer stand out for their exceptional craftsmanship and intricate flavor profiles. These cigars showcase the brand’s dedication to blending traditional techniques with contemporary practices.

El Güegüense

El Güegüense, translated as ‘the wise man’, is a Nicaraguan puro celebrated for its intricate flavor notes and profile. Featuring a Nicaragua wrapper, this cigar delivers a robust and complex smoking experience that delights many aficionados. The El Güegüense was rated 92 points by critics, further solidifying its reputation as a premium choice for cigar enthusiasts.

This cigar embodies the rich traditions of Nicaraguan cigar making, offering a medium to full-bodied smoke that showcases earthy flavors with hints of spice and natural sweetness. El Güegüense is a must-try for anyone looking to explore Foundation’s unique blends.

Highclere Castle Senetjer

Crafted in collaboration with the Carnarvon family, owners of the historic Highclere Castle, the Highclere Castle Senetjer offers a refined smoking experience with distinct flavor notes of leather, cedar, and baking spices. This cigar is designed to evoke a refined experience, combining flavors of leather, cedar, and baking spices, making it a luxurious offering in the Foundation cigars portfolio. Similarly, the Highclere Castle Natural is known for its balanced profile of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Series

The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 series stands out in the Foundation Cigar Company’s collection, featuring a unique combination of a Cuban-seed wrapper and Connecticut shade leaf that enhances its flavor profile. These elements contribute to the cigar's flavor notes, highlighting characteristics such as black pepper, charred wood, and dark chocolate. Hand-rolled in Nicaragua and meticulously aged, these cigars provide a rich smoking experience. The Tabernacle cigars also include long-fillers from Nicaragua, San Andrés, and Honduras, contributing to their complex and robust flavor.

This series includes four sizes: Corona, Robusto, Toro, and Double Corona, each offering a distinct smoking experience while maintaining the quality and flavor that the Tabernacle line is known for.

Tabernacle Havana CT - 142 Goliath

Measuring 5 x 58, the Goliath is a standout in the Tabernacle Havana CT - 142 line, showcasing a blend of earthy flavor notes with a medium to full strength profile. It is a popular choice among cigar enthusiasts. Packaged in boxes of 25, it offers a robust and satisfying smoking experience.

Tabernacle Havana CT - 142 Toro

The Toro size, measuring 6 x 52, features a rich Havana seed wrapper sourced from the Connecticut River Valley, delivering deep, earthy flavor notes with a complexity that enhances the experience. This cigar is a favorite among aficionados.

Available in a 24-count box, the Tabernacle Havana CT - 142 Toro is designed to provide a deep and satisfying smoke that reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of the Foundation Cigar Company.

Limited Edition and Rare Foundation Cigars

Foundation Cigars is recognized for creating limited edition cigars, often sought after by collectors for their unique blends and craftsmanship. These special batches offer distinct flavor notes, such as black pepper, charred wood, and dark chocolate, that set them apart from regular lines, making them prized additions to any collection. Foundation’s limited editions and unique blends appeal to collectors and enthusiasts due to their craftsmanship and distinct flavors, impacting pricing. Foundation Cigars offers several limited edition cigars that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts.

Two notable limited editions are the Menelik and the Highclere Castle Victorian. These cigars are crafted in limited quantities, emphasizing their unique blends and luxurious profiles. Limited edition cigars from Foundation are priced higher due to their rarity and uniqueness.

Menelik

Produced in limited quantities, the Menelik highlights its unique blend and depth of flavor notes. With a rich and complex flavor profile, this cigar provides a robust smoking experience highly sought after by aficionados.

Highclere Castle Victorian

The Highclere Castle Victorian is known for its luxurious flavor notes of dark chocolate and espresso, complemented by hints of spice. This special edition appeals to premium cigar enthusiasts seeking a rich and opulent smoking experience.

Foundation Cigars: Quality and Craftsmanship

Foundation Cigar Company stands out for its dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Each cigar offers rich flavor notes and consistency, blending traditional practices with modern techniques. Foundation Cigars focuses on creating cigars with a variety of provincial and cultural details in mind.

Nicholas Melillo, the mastermind behind Foundation, emphasizes a hands-on approach, ensuring superior quality and complexity in each cigar. After leaving Drew Estate in 2014, he established Foundation Cigar Company to bring his vision of premium cigars to life. This meticulous attention to detail is evident in every puff, making Foundation Cigars a symbol of premium craftsmanship. The company is headquartered in Connecticut, further reflecting its deep ties to the region’s rich tobacco history.

Relationship with Tobacco Growers

Collaborating closely with tobacco growers, Foundation Cigars sources the finest tobaccos, ensuring quality, consistency, and rich flavor notes across their blends. These strong relationships, built over years of experience, significantly impact the quality of cigars produced by Foundation. The company uses high-quality tobacco sourced from renowned regions like Nicaragua and Honduras, which contributes to the exceptional flavor and craftsmanship of its cigars. Foundation Cigars are priced based on high-quality tobacco, hand-rolling craftsmanship, and brand reputation.

Attention to Detail

Cigar wrappers are selected with great care to enhance both the aesthetic and flavor notes, significantly contributing to the smoking experience. Quality wrappers influence both taste and visual appeal, with flavor notes such as black pepper, charred wood, and dark chocolate adding to the complexity and enjoyment.

Every production step demands meticulous attention to detail, ensuring Foundation cigars provide a premium smoking experience. This dedication to perfection sets Foundation Cigars apart in the world of premium cigars. The labor-intensive process of hand-rolling cigars contributes significantly to the pricing of Foundation Cigars.

Summary

Foundation Cigars offers a diverse array of premium cigars that cater to both experienced smokers and beginners. With intricate flavor notes, unique blends, and limited editions, the Foundation Cigar Company stands out for its dedication to quality and craftsmanship. From the robust Tabernacle Broadleaf Toro to the luxurious Highclere Castle Victorian, there is a Foundation cigar for every occasion. The brand also provides distinct value through its unique blends, pricing strategies, and limited availability, setting it apart from other premium cigar brands.

As you explore the rich world of Foundation Cigars, remember that each cigar is a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence. Whether you are savoring a limited edition or discovering a unique blend, the experience is sure to be memorable and satisfying. Light up a Foundation cigar and let the journey begin.

Frequently Asked Questions