PCA Magazine Summer 2022

28 PCA The Magazine | VOLUME 3 2022 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG The Blend Foundation Olmec Size: Robusto Claro, 5 x 50 Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés claro Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua MSPR: $13.50 single / $162 12-count box Smoking Time: 80 minutes he Foundation Olmec Claro Robusto is a lovely cigar to behold, though a bit darker than my usual go-to smokes. It’s called “claro” only to distinguish it from its reputedly slightly stronger maduro twin. The Olmec Claro really looks closer in color to a colorado rosado. It is beautifully constructed, as is to be expected from any smoke coming out of the AJ Fernandez factory. Veins and seams are minimal. The San Andrés wrapper feels toothy and appears oily—already signs that this is to be a flavorful smoke. The double cap is perfectly affixed, and accommodates a standard punch cut with no fuss. This is soft-pressed cigar, uncellophaned. Before light-up the Olmec emits a moderate scent of cedar, earth and leather. Resistance on the cold draw is encouraging—right on the mark—and hints at an oaky flavor. The self-adhesive band, attractively accented in orange, gold and black, looks like it will separate from the cigar easily, so (as is often my preference) I remove the band before lighting up; and it pops right off without tearing the wrapper leaf. I always like that! The Olmec Robusto passes the easy-light test: I am able to slightly toast the foot and achieve a nice, even light using a single 2-inch strike-anywhere match. On light-up, right off the bat the smoke is notably chewy, rich and ample. Barnyard and pepper accents are a tad spikey for my sinuses when I try for an early retrohale. (We’ll see how that goes as we get further into the smoke.) Ten minutes in I would characterize T H E R E V I E W T CIGAR REVIEW BY WILLIAM C. NELSON damage to the product we use trays within the box.” Olmec’s first run of 1,000 boxes of the claro and 1,000boxes of themaduro is shipping aswe go to press. Melillo says, “TheOlmec is planned as a permanent addition to the portfolio—a regular production core line. Abdel Fernandez offers us a steady inventory of SanAndrés leaf, whichwe purchase as whole crops, so supply should be no problem. But of course future productionnumbers will depend on demand.” DaveMayer, owner of theWooden IndianTobacco Shop inHavertown, Pennsylvania says, “Nick and I became friends whenhewas at DrewEstate.Whenhe left Drew to start his own company I called himand said I wanted to be his very first account. Dealingwith Nick is a pleasure. He’s a sweetheart.We’ve never had any issues at all doing business with him. His cigars do well here, andmy customers loveNick as well.” Finnie P. Helmuth, owner of TheHumidour Cigar Shoppe inCockeysville, Maryland, reports: “We have beenworkingwithNick for over 15 years. He truly is a gem in the industry. He goes above and beyond to help our retail business grow. Our customers absolutely love every cigar Foundation produces sowe can’t keep the cigars on our shelves!We look forward tomany more creative blends in the future fromNick—we believe he is just getting started! By theway, did you know that Nick plays awicked banjo?” All of which goes to remind us that fromcreative people come interesting and inventive products. These are heady times for FoundationCigar Company. It is showing healthy and convincing growth, and one could say that it is a firm literally on themove: It is nowcompleting arrangements to relocate to newcorporate offices on a tobacco farm in Connecticut. Its customers are loyal, its retailers are happy and its owner exudes confidence. The Olmec is available in five vitolas: • 5 1/2 x 48CoronaGorda Claro/Maduro $12.50 per unit/$150.00 per box • 5 x 50RobustoClaro/Maduro $13.50 per unit/$162.00 per box • 6 x 52ToroClaro/Maduro $14.50 per unit/$174.00 per box • 6 x 60GrandeClaro/Maduro $15.50 per unit/$186.00 per box • 7 x 52DBCorona Claro/Maduro $16.00 per unit/$192.00 per box FollowFoundation on Instagram — instagram.com/ foundationcigars .Merchants whowish to inquire about adding Foundation cigars to their humidors can contact the company through its website, foundationcigarcompany.com .