Foundation Aksum Maduro Corona Gorda (5.5x48 / Box 10)

Foundation Cigar Co. has announced that its Metapa line of cigars will undergo a name change, and is now being called Aksum. Inspired from the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, and named after an ancient kingdom that existed from approximately 150 BC to 960 AD, "Aksum" was located in what is modern-day Northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. Foundation Cigar Co. writes that “according to local legend, the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Aksum by Menelik the First, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. To this day, one priest guards the Ark his whole life, day and night.”

The box and band both adorn an image of Haile Selassie’s father, Ras Makonnen, who lived from 1852-1906. According to Foundation Cigar Co., Makonnen was once governor of a more modern-day Aksum, though other sources list him as as the governor of Harar from 1887-1906 after it was incorporated into the Ethiopian Empire by his cousin, Emperor Menelik II. “The decision to rebrand reflects a deeper connection to the brand’s inspiration—the Ark of the Covenant—and its symbolic journey.”

Aksum features a range of meticulously crafted vitolas, each showcasing the complexity, balance, and depth of flavor that has become synonymous with Foundation Cigar Company's offerings. From the initial draw to the lingering finish, smokers will embark on a sensory journey that showcases the finest expressions of Nicaraguan filler, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Sumatra Ecuador wrapper. "This blend is unique and unlike anything I have ever created," says Melillo. "The CT Broadleaf binder adds a bit of sweetness, Nicaragua filler the body and strength, and the wrapper is the icing on the cake."