Foundation El Gueguense "The Wise Man" Maduro
- Origin Nicaragua
- Wrapper Mexico San Andres
- Binder Corojo 99
- Filler Nicaragua
- Strength Medium-Full
Foundation Cigar may be one of the new kids on the block of premium cigars, but that shouldn’t scare you away. The newer cigar company was founded by Nicholas Melillo just over five years ago and has been producing some exceptional cigars since its launch. If that name sounds familiar, Nick was the man at Drew Estate responsible for sourcing the quality leaf used in Drew Estate’s traditional cigar offerings and implementing quality control standards that transformed his former employer into the behemoth it is today. He credits his passion for tobacco to his grandfather who gave him his 1st cigar when he was 18. From there, Nick devoured knowledge on tobacco and turned his passion into a career. With 20 years of experience at his back, he launched Foundation and quickly established a reputation for creating outstanding cigars under his own banner.
The debut blend from Foundation Cigar Co. had a rather unconventional name and was dubbed El Güegüense. This name was selected to pay homage to the rich and vibrant culture of the Nicaraguan people and translates to “The Wise Man.” Though the real name is hard to pronounce, it’s a bonafide banger of a Nicaraguan Puro! The blend features a Corojo ’99 wrapper and binder, along with a blend of Corojo and Criollo long-fillers from 2011 and 2012. After the cigars have been rolled, they are aged for at least 6 months in cedar chests to ensure perfect balance and smoothness. Tasting notes include flavors of earth, cedar, and milk chocolate along with hints of pepper, vanilla, and baking spices.