Olmec

Olmec is a premium cigar brand from Foundation Cigar Company that pays homage to ancient Mesoamerican civilization and showcases the finest Mexican San Andrés tobacco. The brand celebrates the Olmecs, the early Americas' most mysterious and ancient civilization who pre-dated the Mayans and Aztecs and were considered the "Mother Culture" of Mesoamerica, and were the first to smoke cigars. The blend delivers a full-bodied smoking experience with rich flavors of cacao, dark espresso, and spice without being too aggressive. Available in both Maduro and Claro wrapper variations, the Olmec line is made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez and features a Mexican San Andres wrapper, representing Foundation's commitment to historical storytelling through exceptional tobacco craftsmanship.

Background

Brand owner Nicholas Melillo's latest release, called Foundation Olmec, is a line of premium cigars that pays tribute to Mexico and its ancient Mesoamerican people, who once inhabited the San Andrés Valley in Veracruz, where cigar tobacco is grown. The heartland of the Olmecs is located in the tropical lowlands of the modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco, and San Andrés Tuxtla, and today, this is the same region that grows some of the finest San Andrès Negro wrapper tobacco, with this seed variety considered one of the oldest in the world. "I have admired the Olmec civilization since I first traveled to San Andrès to purchase tobacco back in 2006," said brand owner Nick Melillo. Olmec debuted at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, and like many lines in the Foundation Cigar portfolio, it pays homage to a particular culture. To create such a flavorful blend, Nick specifically chose to feature specially selected Nicaraguan fillers from Esteli and Jalapa that have been aged for 3 years before being used in production, with these filler tobaccos bound in a Nicaraguan binder and wrapped in either a Mexican San Andres Negro leaf or a Mexican San Andres Claro leaf.

History

Olmec debuted at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, representing Foundation Cigar Company's continued commitment to creating cigars that honor historical cultures and civilizations. The concept was born from Nicholas Melillo's long-standing admiration for the Olmec civilization, dating back to his first travels to San Andrés to purchase tobacco in 2006. The Olmec Claro has received a 93-point rating and ranked among the top 25 cigars of 2023, with the review noting "Bursts of ginger and citrus provide the zest while accents of nuts, toast and vanilla bring sweet detail". The brand quickly established itself as another successful addition to Foundation's portfolio of culturally-inspired premium cigars.

Reputation

Cigar Aficionado awarded Foundation Olmec Maduro cigars multiple 90+ point ratings, while Cigar Aficionado also awarded Foundation Olmec Claro cigars multiple 90+ point ratings. Foundation Cigars pay tribute to history like no other brand out there, and the Olmec line exemplifies this reputation for combining historical storytelling with exceptional tobacco quality. Each puff reveals the expertise that Foundation Cigar Company is known for, making this cigar a delightful choice for aficionados who appreciate quality and flavor. The brand has earned recognition from both critics and enthusiasts for its authentic tribute to ancient civilization while delivering consistently excellent smoking experiences that showcase the finest Mexican and Nicaraguan tobaccos.