Earlier this year, Foundation Cigars, headed up by industry veteran Nick Melillo announced a new line of cigars inspired by the birth town of Rubén Darío, a legendary Nicaraguan poet. Dario was the inspiration for the brand to pay homage to Nicaragua’s rich cultural heritage and the artistry behind its world-class cigars. The name Metapa is a nod to the Nicaraguan town where the poet was born, which was renamed Cuidad Darío in 1920. The cigars are hand crafted at the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua and started shipping to retailers in late October.
Nicholas Melillo noted:
“Metapa is a tribute to the poetic soul of Nicaragua. The image of Rubén Darío is iconic; he is considered one of the greatest poets in the Spanish language. I have always wanted to make a brand in his honor, and I have always wanted to introduce a blend around Sumatra Ecuador wrapper. Metapa is the result.”
The blend of the Foundation Cigars Metapa Maduro is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
- Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Estelí and Jalapa)
They are expressed in 4 box-pressed vitolas and come packaged in 10-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $15.50
- Corona Gorda (5 1/2 x 48) – MSRP $14.50
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $16.50
- Double Corona (7 x 54) – MSRP $18.00
For this review I sampled 3 of the Box-Pressed Metapa Maduro Robustos which I purchased from Smoke Inn for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Foundation Cigars Metapa is a finely crafted cigar with its silky smooth dark brown and oily wrapper that is very light on veins. The cigar is firmly packed with just the right give when pressed between the fingers. The box pressing is more rounded on the edges as opposed to crisp edges. An expertly applied pigtail cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar using a royal blue, gold, and red motif. It proudly displays an image of Rubén Darío in the center along with the name “METAPA NICARAGUA” in gold at the bottom.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up little aroma along the barrel while to foot provided some pungent barnyard notes.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave the Metapa some cold draw puffs that were spot on with restriction and offered wet leather and barnyard notes.
Using my single fan flame Xikar torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of pepper and toasted cracker notes to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Black pepper and toasted cracker notes begin the journey
- Fruity notes add early to the profile
- Smooth draw and mildly peppered retro-hale
- A white ash forms on top of a thin slightly wavy char line
- Ash fell in a small chunk revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Pleasant maple syrup aroma wafts off the foot
- Fruit is the most prominent note with an undertone of pepper in the early profile
- Natural tobacco sweetness midway
- Toasted cracker notes reappear deep in second third
- Barrel gets squishy near the final
- Black pepper resurges in the final
- Medium plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Foundation Cigars Metapa Maduro Robusto journey commences with the introduction of black pepper and toasted cracker notes, setting the tone for the flavor expedition. Early on, fruity notes join the profile, contributing to the taste experience. The draw remains smooth, accompanied by a mildly peppered retro-hale. A delightful maple syrup aroma wafts off the foot, enhancing the overall sensory encounter. In the early stages, fruit takes center stage, accompanied by a subtle undertone of pepper. Midway through, a natural tobacco sweetness emerges, providing a pleasant contrast to the earlier elements. As the journey progresses deep in the second third, toasted cracker notes make a reappearance, adding a layer of complexity. As the journey concludes, black pepper resurges in the final moments, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. This is one I would say buy a fiver of. I rate this a 93.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Barrel Gets Squishy in Final
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling above the Burn line; (+1) Pleasant and consistent across multiple samples
