Foundation Olmec Maduro

We originally had the Foundation Olmec Maduro cigars together with the Claros in one category. Then, once again, my highly esteemed colleague from marketing came along and split the Olmec cigars into two separate series, thereby "condemning" me to the, in this case rather pleasant, task of writing descriptions for them as well. So I started by lighting up an Olmec Maduro Grande and braced myself for a real "slap in the face". But nothing of the sort happened – quite the opposite, in fact. The (expected) strength developed subtly and very pleasantly. But first, let's take a closer look at the cigar itself!

Olmec Maduro Cigars: Bold Flavors in Different Vitolas

Beneath the Mexican Maduro wrapper lies a Nicaraguan binder from Jalapa, along with filler tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa that have been aged for at least three years. These longfiller cigars are once again rolled at A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua. The characteristic pepperiness of his cigars is certainly present here, accompanied by notes of dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and earthiness. Overall, I actually found the Maduro a little more approachable and "rounded" than its lighter sibling! The Robusto (127 mm, ring gauge 50) offers the series' compact, classic format. The Toro (152 mm, ring gauge 52) provides another classic option, while the substantial Grande (152 mm, ring gauge 60) boasts a particularly large diameter. All vitolas are available in boxes of 12. With its bold yet surprisingly "tamed" character, the Olmec Maduro is nevertheless aimed primarily at experienced aficionados who prefer intense, spicy cigars. Compared to the lighter Olmec Claro, the Maduro wrapper undergoes a longer fermentation process.

Foundation Olmec Maduro: Nicolas Melillo and the History of the Olmecs

Behind these cigars is Nicolas Melillo, founder of Foundation Cigars and someone we've known for many years. We first met him in the early 2000s when he was working for Jonathan Drew at Drew Estate. He played a key role in product development there. During our trip to Estelí in 2005, he took excellent care of our group. Niko, Hassan, and Maik, who were our apprentices at the time, still have fond memories of that trip! And, of course, of those now rather "embarrassing" photos of the lads looking incredibly young ... :-) We later met him regularly at the US tobacco trade show IPCPR, until he left Drew Estate in 2014 and returned with his own brand in 2015. The name Olmec pays tribute to the Olmecs, who lived in what is now Veracruz and Tabasco between approximately 1500 and 300 BC. Their territory also included the San Andrés region, where the famous Mexican wrapper tobacco originates. The seeds of San Andrés Negro are said to be among the oldest tobacco seeds in the world.