It’s been a magical 5-year run for Nick Mellilo and Foundation, and El Güegüense is the company’s big breakout hit blend. This 5-Year Anniversario version is a tasty tribute to the cigar that has not only kept Foundation in the game but helped the company carve out an immediate reputation for flavorful, high-quality cigars.

You can’t bet against these Drew Estate guys (Melillo ran production at La Gran Fabrica, Drew Estate’s key cigar factory). They’re game-changers. They play their own way and usually serve up something fantastic. At this point, it’s a “you already know” kind of situation. When they release a project, you can anticipate it’s going to not just be good, but potentially shift the energy of the industry a bit.

El Güegüense landed on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list twice so far – once for the natural and once for the Maduro. The natural was rated 92 points, and the Maduro outdid itself, scoring an eyebrow-raising 95. The original Nicaraguan puro was a Corojo-powered combo of nuts and pepper, while the Maduro nearly took home Cigar of the Year (it was #3) by using a Mexican wrapper leaf to create an even more vibrant flavor profile. Cigar Aficionado called it, “assertive without being aggressive, full-bodied without being too strong and interesting from first puff to last. It's a flavorful blend that oscillates between the sweet and the savory.”

And so now we take stock of things and celebrate with the Foundation El Güegüense 5 Year Anniversario.

This one introduces a new binder, for a mix that puts a Nicaraguan corojo 99 wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés leaf. This then cradles long fillers from Estelí and Jalapa. To see these stogies, you’d have to open one of the neat wooden chests that hold 20 sticks apiece. The lid opens to reveal art that pays homage to El Güegüense, the Nicaraguan folk play that gives the blend its name. You can then fold out two wing trays loaded with smokes, and invite your closest companions to enjoy one of these stogies with you if they’re worthy.

How cool is that box? Like we said, these guys don’t miss.

The 5-Year Anniversario blend (yes, we’re finally getting around to the cigar) is a snugly rolled stick that offers rich soil-based flavors of oak, leather, and paprika. There’s heat, there’s cream, and it’s a toasty smoke from start to finish. It’s surprisingly different from the originals! And in the 4 ¾ x 60 perfecto, this format will delight Drew Estate flying pig fans. Short, squat, and with a serious flavor, this one is a fun way to look back on a blend that launched a company into the conversation with the big boys.

This Foundation El Gueguense 5 Year Aniversario Perfecto cigar is made in Nicaragua. Outside, you'll find a Corojo wrapper. Inside, the binder is Corojo, and the filler is Nicaraguan. This is a Perfecto cigar with a length of 4.75 and a ring gauge of 60.

Please browse our selection of Foundation El Güegüense 5-Year Anniversario cigars at your leisure.

• What are the flavors like?
o Oak, leather, paprika

• What’s the strength level?
o Full

• Who is this cigar for?
o Foundation El Güegüense 5 Year Anniversario cigars are for people who want that classic Corojo with a spicy new twist.

• Will I want to smoke it to the nub?
o It doesn’t shine as bright as the originals, but it’s still a decent smoke.

• What’s a good pairing with it?
o Sip some mezcal like Jonathan Drew himself! Fidencio Sin Humo makes a bottle that lets the cigar do all the smoking.

• What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar?
o Sunset

• Any flaws/downsides?
o Construction tightness could be annoying.