Sumatra wrapper · Medium to full
Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro: flavour profile and cigars like it
Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro is a handmade cigar made in Nicaragua. Its published strength is medium to full. It has a Maduro Sumatra wrapper grown in Ecuador and filler from Nicaragua. The tasting notes in our sources point to earth and pepper.
If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press and Cain Serie F.
What does Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro taste like?
- earth and leather
- pepper and spice
How strong is it, and what's in it?
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Connecticut Broadleaf |
| Filler | Nicaraguan tobacco from Estelí and Jalapa |
| Strength | Medium to full as published by foundationcigarcompany.com |
| Body | Not published |
| Made in | Nicaragua |
| Made by | Foundation Cigar Company owns the brand. Nicholas Melillo is founder and master blender. |
| Factory | Tabacalera A.J. Fernández Cigars de Nicaragua |
| Sizes | Robusto 5×50 · Corona Gorda 5.5×48 · Toro 6×52 · Double Corona 7×54 |
Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.
What reviewers say
- Ellory Wells (cigarscore.com), Doble Corona, 7 x 54 (2025)In our words: The reviewer noted spicy, earthy, rich flavors. Two burn touch-ups were needed.
Scores as published by the magazine or retailer, for the size named. Notes are our summary of the review, not quotes. We don't score cigars ourselves.
About Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro
The line. Metapa became Aksum in February 2024. The blend and production location stayed unchanged. cigaraficionado.com
The brand. Nicholas Melillo founded Foundation Cigar Company in 2015. He is founder and master blender. Foundation owns its brands. A.J. Fernandez and My Father Cigars are manufacturing partners for different lines. foundationcigarcompany.com
Cigars like Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro
- La Gloria Cubana Spanish PressClosest matchWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAbout the same strength.
- Cain Serie FAlso fitsWrapper style not published · FullAlso made in Nicaragua, a step stronger.
- Padrón Thousand Series MaduroAlso fitsWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAlso made in Nicaragua, more cocoa and coffee, about the same strength.
- Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Box-pressed MaduroAlso fitsWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAlso made in Nicaragua, more cocoa and coffee, about the same strength.
- Padron Black PB-97 NaturalOne step furtherWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAlso made in Nicaragua, more cocoa and coffee, about the same strength.
Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Maduro as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.