Foundation Discontinues El Güegüense, Introduces Wise Man Corojo And Maduro With My Father Cigars
Foundation Cigar Co. has ceased production of its original Wise Man Maduro lines, which were made in Nicaragua at Aganorsa Leaf. But something is coming in its place. The Connecticut-based company has turned to the Garcia family to produce the new Wise Man Corojo and Wise Man Maduro at My Father Cigars, the Garcia’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua..
Cigar Aficionado spoke to brand owner Nicholas Melillo who was clear that these two lines are completely new blends and bear little resemblance to the originals. While the tobacco in the cigars is still primarily Nicaraguan, it comes from different seeds grown at different farms. Foundation no longer has anything made at Aganorsa Leaf (formerly called the TABSA factory).
The Wise Man Corojo is made with a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper while Maduro is made with a Mexican cover leaf from San Andrés. As is the construction style of My Father Cigars (and the typical rolling technique of Cuba), both are rolled in two binders: one from Estelí and one from Jalapa. The filler is a combination of Nicaraguan tobacco from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa.
Both brands come in four sizes: Double Corona, measuring 7 inches by 54 ring gauge ($13.50); Toro, at 6 by 52 ($12.50); Robusto, at 5 1/2 by 50 ($11.50); and a 5-by-48 Corona ($10.50). All are offered in 20-count boxes and will debut at this month’s PCA trade show in Las Vegas before shipping to retailers in mid-April.
“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the El Güegüense brand, it holds a special place in the history of Foundation Cigars,” Melillo says. “We believe it will become one of our most collectible and sought-after cigars.”
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