Tabernacle

Tabernacle is a premium cigar brand created by Foundation Cigar Company that represents the sacred reverence founder Nicholas Melillo holds for Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco. This bold, full-bodied cigar line showcases the dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that Melillo considers sacred, drawing its name from the biblical sanctuary that housed the Ark of the Covenant. The brand has earned critical acclaim with multiple 90+ point ratings and stands as a testament to the artistry of traditional American tobacco cultivation. Tabernacle cigars offer a complex profile of cocoa, leather, coffee, and spice, making them a coveted choice among serious cigar enthusiasts who appreciate the depth and character of Connecticut Broadleaf.

Background

Tabernacle was born from Nicholas Melillo's deeply personal connection to cigar smoking, as he recalls: "I started smoking cigars with my grandfather, and it was a time I always considered to be sacred. I was able to learn valuable life lessons, and it all revolved around broadleaf cigars. My humidor became my tabernacle." Born in New Haven, Connecticut, where "at the turn of the century, there were many cigar factories," Melillo regards Connecticut broadleaf as "a sacrosanct plant" and created this brand to "show my love for Connecticut broadleaf." The brand was introduced in summer 2016 at the IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas as "a super-premium cigar showcasing Melillo's beloved Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper." The name draws from biblical history, as "The Tabernacle was said to be a protective resting place for the Ark of the Covenant" and "was located in King Solomon's temple." The packaging features an image of Haile Selassie, the 225th emperor of Ethiopia, connecting to the brand's biblical and historical themes.

History

Nicholas Melillo previously ran production at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua before branching out on his own and starting Foundation Cigar Co. in 2015. Tabernacle debuted in summer 2016 as Foundation's second major release, positioned as a super-premium offering. In 2018, Melillo expanded the line with The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142, featuring a different Connecticut River Valley wrapper leaf. The brand continued to evolve with biblical-inspired extensions like the David and Goliath perfectos, representing Melillo's ongoing commitment to tobacco tradition and industry excellence.

Reputation

Tabernacle has earned critical recognition with a 90-point rating from Cigar Aficionado, with reviewers praising its "robust notes of wood, cocoa, leather, and pepper." Industry experts acknowledge that Nicholas Melillo "has already had a hand in some of the most famous cigars in history" and that "Foundation The Tabernacle is doubtless destined to be something huge." The brand has established itself among connoisseurs, receiving "a well-earned 90-point rating from the experts at Cigar Aficionado." Tabernacle is recognized as being "made by and for longtime smokers who can appreciate every single fine-tuned note in a cigar's profile," cementing its reputation as a serious enthusiast's cigar.