Foundation has been a rising star in the cigar industry for years. It's founder, Nick Melillo, has been a pioneer in the boutique cigar world. Between the unique presentation, amazing flavor profiles, and availability, Foundation Cigar Company is easily one of the top boutique cigar brands in the world right not. This review covers one of its newest lines, The Olmec.
The Olmec Claro has a presentation that fits right in to the Foundation catalog. The band has a black and yellow background, with gold accents. On the band, there is a native style caricature smoking a cigar, which pays homage to the history of tobacco in North America. The cigar itself features a seamless, light-medium brown wrapper. Although it has some veins running prominently throughout, it's a relatively smooth cigar.
The Olmec Claro is constructed wonderfully. It features a Nicaraguan Filler, Nicaraguan Binder, and San Andreas Wrapper. The draw is smooth and easy, allowing for ample smoke to hit the palate. The ash is light gray, almost white, and gets to about two inches before falling. The foot does not flake after it's been ashed, which will save your black shirt from any ash marks. While the burn is relatively smooth, some touch ups may be needed throughout, but it's nothing that will detriment the cigar review.
The flavor profile on the Olmec Claro is complex, versatile, and delicious. At first light, the palate is hit with strong notes of espresso, cedar, and white pepper.
The first third features strong notes of earth, white pepper, and espresso. These are complimented by mild nutty notes, along with some cumin. The retrohale features notes of black pepper and dark chocolate.
The second third may feature continued notes of earth and nuttiness, which remain throughout the course of the smoke. These are accompanied with notes of red pepper, salt, and very mild hints of ginger. The retrohale at this point may feature notes of black pepper, cedar, and mild toast.
The final third may feature notes of earth and cedar, with the nutty flavors moving to the backburner. You may also tastes notes of mild leather, dark chocolate, and espresso. The retrohale at this point may feature notes of cinnamon and black pepper.
The Olmec Claro is priced at about $14.50 for a single, and $174.00 for a box of 12. While the cigar has an amazing flavor profile and is constructed very well, these may be more suited to the $12 price range.
This cigar is great for all smokers. While it is a fuller bodied cigar, newer cigar smokers can enjoy it after working on their palates, and intermediate and veteran smokers will enjoy all aspects of this cigar.
GC Rating: 92
Thanks to the Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop for sponsoring this review of the Foundation Olmec Claro. If you'd like to try the Olmex Claro, or anything else from the Foundation catalog, click the picture and use the coupon code for 10% off your order and free shipping.
Related Posts
