The Menelik delivers a full-bodied profile driven by spicy red-pepper notes backed by earth, leather, and oak, offering a medium-full intensity with rich notes of earth, baker's cocoa, black pepper, and sweet mocha. This cigar exhibits medium strength and body in the first half, progressing to medium to full strength and body in the second half, creating high complexity throughout the smoking experience. Professional reviewers describe it as medium-to-full in body with very pleasing complexity featuring everything expected in a Mexican Maduro, but without extreme bitterness.
Originally launched in April 2017 as an event-only exclusive cigar, the Menelik was quietly added to Foundation's portfolio and later showcased at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show as a limited production line with production limited to 1,000 boxes of 12 cigars released each quarter. Handcrafted at the Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) facility, also known as AGANORSA Leaf's Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar represents Nicholas Melillo's commitment to limited production excellence. Named after Menelik I, the first emperor of Ethiopia believed to be the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the name translates to 'Son of the Wise Man' in Arabic, connecting it to Foundation's El Güegüense and The Wise Man Maduro releases.
Each cigar features a distinctive soft box-press construction and is finished with a thick pigtail cap, creating an immediately recognizable presentation. Master blender Nicholas Melillo describes the blend as 'a rich tapestry of flavors, where the earthy notes intertwine seamlessly with hints of cocoa, creating a harmonious full-bodied smoking experience'. The line has received industry recognition, with Halfwheel awarding the Menelik an 87-point rating.
The Menelik delivers a full-bodied profile driven by spicy red-pepper notes backed by earth, leather, and oak, offering a medium-full intensity with rich notes of earth, baker's cocoa, black pepper, and sweet mocha. This cigar exhibits medium strength and body in the first half, progressing to medium to full strength and body in the second half, creating high complexity throughout the smoking experience. Professional reviewers describe it as medium-to-full in body with very pleasing complexity featuring everything expected in a Mexican Maduro, but without extreme bitterness.
Originally launched in April 2017 as an event-only exclusive cigar, the Menelik was quietly added to Foundation's portfolio and later showcased at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show as a limited production line with production limited to 1,000 boxes of 12 cigars released each quarter. Handcrafted at the Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) facility, also known as AGANORSA Leaf's Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar represents Nicholas Melillo's commitment to limited production excellence. Named after Menelik I, the first emperor of Ethiopia believed to be the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the name translates to 'Son of the Wise Man' in Arabic, connecting it to Foundation's El Güegüense and The Wise Man Maduro releases.
Each cigar features a distinctive soft box-press construction and is finished with a thick pigtail cap, creating an immediately recognizable presentation. Master blender Nicholas Melillo describes the blend as 'a rich tapestry of flavors, where the earthy notes intertwine seamlessly with hints of cocoa, creating a harmonious full-bodied smoking experience'. The line has received industry recognition, with Halfwheel awarding the Menelik an 87-point rating.
