Foundation cigars tend to be inspired by antiquity, and often come with a history lesson. The 95-point Wise Man blend that nearly took home Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year in 2018 needs no lesson. That was just an ultra-fine smoke. Well, Foundation Menelik cigars are the son of the wise man, and they need a little more introduction.
Menelik was the name of Solomon’s son (you know, King Solomon the Wise, the O.G. wise man who suggested that some women arguing over a baby should cut it in half? Yeah, that guy. What a genius). Anyhow, his son by the Queen of Sheba was Menelik. And this kid was a chip off the old block, because he knew all about branding, going by the nickname Ebna la-Hakim, “Son of the Wise.”
Why start from scratch when daddy’s already a living legend? Just go by the family name and life will be cake. Sounds good.
Foundation Menelik cigars weren’t really a proper release or part of the company’s core offerings. In fact, you couldn’t even buy the damn thing. You could score it at Foundation events as a gift, and that was it. No details were given, either. It’s not one of those cigars that you can break down and study with other cigar experts. Instead, it comes with no band, no wrapper, no nothing. Here – have a cigar.
That’s it.
Well, not totally.
We know that the outside originally was a Nicaraguan leaf grown from Corojo seeds. Once the cigar saw a formal broad release, more details were shared. Now more has been learned, and we are aware that the filler blend of the Foundation Menelik cigar is three-region Nicaraguan and the wrapper leaf ultimately had to be Mexican San Andrés tobacco. The binder is a Corojo ’99 leaf grown in Jalapa. This closely mirrors the Wise Man El Gueguense blend that earned such outstanding reviews. The cigar got a proper band, too, one that uses symbols from the Ethiopian military’s Grand Cross of the Order of Menelik II.
This one is full strength and offers a potent flavor profile led by black pepper. You get some moist earthiness, and can also taste some expressive notes like campfire, toasted, oats, and dashes of cinnamon. It’s a smoke that doesn’t play around, instead of invigorating your senses and waking you up with each puff. You’re in the presence of the king, here, and you can tell from the cigar that this is an inspired blend. Bust this stogie out when you want a blend that stands above the rest. Where the original Wise Man was balanced and sweet enough to temper other flavors, Foundation Menelik cigars are the less restrained and more fiery son of his majesty.
Please browse our selection of Foundation Menelik cigars at your leisure.
We always think that, while some folks will love the spiciness of this blend, others will want half the cigar and then will be happy to call it quits. And that’s not even a bad thing.
