Habano wrapper · Medium
Foundation Cigars Original: flavour profile and cigars like it
Foundation Cigars Original is a handmade cigar made in Nicaragua. Its published strength is medium. It has a Habano wrapper grown in Ecuador and filler from Nicaragua. The tasting notes in our sources point to earth, pepper, sweetness and fruit.
If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are Horacio Classic and A.J. Fernandez New World Dorado.
What does Foundation Cigars Original taste like?
- earth and leather
- pepper and spice
- natural sweetness
- fruit and floral
How strong is it, and what's in it?
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaragua |
| Filler | Nicaragua |
| Strength | Medium as published by foundationcigarcompany.com |
| Body | Medium-bodied |
| Made in | Nicaragua |
| Made by | Foundation Cigar Company; Nicholas Melillo is founder and master blender. |
| Factory | Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A., Estelí. |
| Sizes | Grande 6×60 |
Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.
What reviewers say
- cigaraficionado.com: 89 points, Grande, 6 x 60 (2026)In our words: The review noted earthiness, sweetness, fruit, leather, and a peppery finish.
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 Original
The line. Charter Oak CT Habano launched in September 2020. cigaraficionado.com
The brand. Nicholas Melillo founded Foundation in 2015. He is its founder and master blender. Foundation owns the brand portfolio. AJ Fernandez and My Father made different Foundation lines. foundationcigarcompany.com
Cigars like Foundation Cigars Original
- Horacio ClassicClosest matchWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAlso made in Nicaragua, a step stronger.
- A.J. Fernandez New World DoradoAlso fitsHabano wrapper · Medium to medium-fullSame Habano wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, less natural sweetness, about the same strength.
- Alec Bradley American Sun GrownAlso fitsWrapper style not published · MediumAlso made in Nicaragua, less fruit and floral, about the same strength.
- Aladino CorojoAlso fitsCorojo wrapper · MediumAbout the same strength.
- West Tampa Tobacco WhiteOne step furtherHabano wrapper · MediumSame Habano wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, more cedar and wood, less natural sweetness, about the same strength.
Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named Foundation Cigars Original as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.