Foundation Cigars

Foundation Cigar Company stands as a distinguished boutique manufacturer that seamlessly blends historical storytelling with exceptional tobacco craftsmanship. With over 25 years of dedication to the cigar industry, founder and Master Blender Nicholas Melillo has traveled the world sourcing the finest tobaccos, personally overseeing production, and crafting some of the highest-rated and best-selling cigars in the industry. Foundation differentiated itself through the rich stories and cultural references infused into each cigar line, whether it was Nicaraguan folklore (El Güegüense), American history (Charter Oak), biblical and Ethiopian iconography (The Tabernacle), or Jamaican reggae culture (The Upsetters). Foundation is no stranger to high awards and praise; they have earned 90+ ratings across almost their entire portfolio. The brand represents a unique marriage of old-world traditions with modern innovation, creating premium cigars that resonate with both novice and experienced enthusiasts.

Background

In 2015, Nick established Foundation Cigar Company with a mission to create cigars that reflect his passion for tobacco, following his entrepreneurship journey that started with his debut in Nicaragua at Drew Estate in 2003. Nicholas Melillo is a former member of the Drew Estate management team, and his experience at one of the top factories in Central America has paid dividends—purchasing tobacco for DE and having had a hand in some of the blending processes of their cigars, Nick has world-class cred when it comes to purchasing the finest cigar tobaccos on the market. While many premium cigar companies are headquartered in Miami or Tampa, Melillo, a Connecticut native, chose Windsor, Connecticut, as the home for Foundation's offices in 2017, situated in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, where Melillo's beloved broadleaf tobaccos are grown. Melillo creates each line in the Foundation portfolio with a variety of provincial and cultural details in mind, stemming from his travels and his affinity for history and religious studies, working closely with Estelí-based artist Alex Garcia to imbue the boxes and bands of Foundation cigars with historical, cultural, and biblical references. Handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, at renowned factories like AJ Fernandez and My Father Cigars, these cigars embody quality and tradition.

History

In 2016, Foundation Cigar Company's first release, El Güegüense, earned a 92-point rating and was ranked in the 'Top 25 Cigars of the Year' by the critics in Cigar Aficionado. The Company launched The Tabernacle, Charter Oak, and the infused line, The Upsetters, in 2016, and in 2018, The Wise Man Maduro was named #3 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado, while The Charter Oak was named Best Value Cigar. More recently, the Highclere Castle Victorian Toro made the number twenty one spot for 2020's Top 25, as Foundation was commissioned to create the cigar line as a tie-in for the television series Downton Abbey. The brand's rapid ascension from startup to industry recognition demonstrates Melillo's exceptional blending expertise and the company's commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Reputation

Foundation has gained such critical praise in such a short amount of time, even reaching the highest honor for any maker of premium cigars—that honor is the coveted Top 25 Cigar list created annually by the experts at Cigar Aficionado. This dedication to excellence has earned Foundation Cigar Company a reputation as a leading player in the premium cigar industry. The company benefited enormously from positive online reviews and forum discussions, with early adopters raving about the cigars' flavor and construction, effectively becoming brand ambassadors. Industry professionals have stated that these are "without doubt, the finest cigars produced today," praising the range's "depth of flavor, balance, complexity, and quality." The brand is particularly respected for its authentic storytelling approach and consistent quality across all price points.