Foundation – Cigars

Foundation Cigars: Nicholas Melillo and His Beginnings

The man behind Foundation Cigars is Nicholas Melillo. He made a name for himself in the industry primarily during his time at Drew Estate. The American entrepreneur now has more than two decades of experience in the cigar industry. His career, however, began in a completely different field: After graduating, he initially moved to Italy, where he worked for the Vatican and led tours focusing on Renaissance art. He then set off on a trip around the world, and while in Japan, he received a call from Jonathan Drew.

From Drew Estate to His Own Cigar Brand

The two had already been friends for several years, and Jonathan, who was busy turning the cigar world upside down, could certainly use some help. Inspired by the creative alternative spirit of New York's art scene, he and his business partner Marvin Samel had caused quite a stir with ACID, a line of flavored cigars from Nicaragua (yes, an unusual combination, but that's exactly how it happened!). The brand's non-flavored cigars were anything but ordinary blends, too. Drew Estate grew rapidly and eventually established its own factory in Nicaragua.

During these eventful years, Nicholas learned every aspect of cigar production. He worked his way up to Vice President of International Operations. His responsibilities included purchasing raw tobacco, overseeing fermentation and, eventually, blending. But in 2014, he decided to leave Drew Estate. The desire to run his own business had become too strong to ignore, so in 2015 he founded the Foundation Cigar Company.

Tobacco Cultivation and Production of Foundation Cigars

Nicholas had already been drawn to Nicaragua in 2003. Around Estelí, one of Central America's most important cigar production centers, he developed close relationships with tobacco growers and manufacturers. Today, The Tabernacle Cigars are produced by A.J. Fernandez, while the current The Wise Man Cigars are made at My Father Cigars, owned by the Garcia family. In his blends, Melillo combines time-honored traditions with modern ideas, using not only Nicaraguan tobaccos but also wrappers from Connecticut and Mexico.

Box Design and Artwork by Alex Garcia

Nicholas also pays particular attention to presentation. At Foundation, cigar boxes and bands are much more than packaging – they are works of art in their own right. The designs are created by Alex Garcia, also known as Thief Operandi, who has been active as a street artist in Nicaragua since 1997. His distinctive visual style uses vibrant, memorable colors to portray the life, history and culture of his homeland, often incorporating traditional and historical elements.

Just as at Drew Estate, Nicholas has no interest in producing run-of-the-mill cigars at Foundation. Distinctive blends, unusual formats and striking designs define the range. Given his love of reggae, it's hardly surprising that he likes to think outside the box. Since 2022, the long-established Schuster company from Bünde has been importing Foundation cigars into Germany and has steadily expanded the range ever since.

Foundation Cigar Lines: From Mild to Full-Bodied

The very first line, El Güegüense The Wise Man, received 92 points from Cigar Journal – a success Nicholas described as "mind-blowing." This Nicaraguan puro takes its name from a traditional 16th-century play. Güegüense roughly translates as "old man" or "wise man." Since 2024, the line has been produced at My Father Cigars under the name The Wise Man Corojo, featuring a revised blend. It is complemented by The Wise Man Maduro, whose Mexican San Andrés wrapper delivers darker notes of cocoa, espresso and spices.

A year later, Charter Oak Connecticut Shade proved that Foundation was no one-hit wonder. This relatively mild cigar, with its complex interplay of flavors, earned an impressive 93 points from Cigar Aficionado. The Charter Oak range now includes three distinct lines: Alongside the mild Connecticut Shade, there is the slightly stronger Charter Oak Original with its Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper, as well as the spicier Charter Oak CT Broadleaf. The line therefore offers a variety of flavor profiles at relatively affordable prices.

Full-Bodied Foundation Cigars: The Tabernacle and Olmec

The The Tabernacle Cigars are considerably stronger. Their dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras create earthy spice and subtle sweetness. The boxes feature Haile Selassie I, the Ethiopian emperor revered by Rastafarians, while the line's name refers to the biblical Tabernacle. The distinctive David and Goliath Perfectos can be found among the Foundation Special Editions, alongside the 10 Year Aniversario Salomon, released to celebrate the brand's anniversary.

Another full-bodied addition to the range is the Foundation Olmec Cigars. Named after an ancient Mesoamerican civilization, they feature Mexican San Andrés wrappers in two varieties: Claro and Maduro. While the Claro is somewhat more approachable, the Maduro offers a darker, more intense flavor profile. The Foundation range thus extends from mild Charter Oak cigars to the stronger blends of Olmec and The Tabernacle.