Foundation Olmec Claro Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Foundation Cigars debuted a new core line of cigars, Olmec, at the 2022 PCA trade show. Foundation Olmec gets its name from one of the oldest civilizations know on Earth. The cigars come in boxes of 12 and in two wrapper options: San Andrés Maduro and San Andrés Claro. We reviewed a pre-release version of the Foundation Olmec Maduro a few months ago here, which also made our top 25 list. Today we will be reviewing the production version of the Foundation Olmec Claro.

The name comes from the Olmecs, one of early Americas’ oldest and most mysterious civilizations. The Olmecs pre-date the Mayans and Aztecs and are considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica. They were the first to make mathematically accurate pyramids, calendars, and, perhaps, the first to smoke cigars. The Heart Land of the Olmecs is the tropical lowlands of modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco, and San Andrés Tuxtla. Today, this is the same region that grows high quality San Andrès wrapper tobacco. This seed variety is considered one of the oldest seed varieties in the world.

Both the San Andrés Maduro and San Andrés Claro blends of Olmec use the same Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys. They also use the same wrapper variety, but different shades. After fermentation, these filler tobaccos are bale aged for three years before going into production. The San Andrés Claro wrapper tobacco comes from the rich volcanic soil of the land of the Olmecs. It is fermented slowly at low temperatures to preserve the natural oils that give flavor. Both Maduro and Claro come in the same sizes and prices and boxes of 12: Corona Gorda 5 1/2 x 48 $12.50 per cigar, Robusto 5 x 50 $13.50 per cigar, Toro 6 x 52 $14.50 per cigar, Grande 6 x 60 $15.50 per cigar, Double Corona 7 x 52 $16.00 per cigar.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa)
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Nicholas Melillo
Number of reviewers: 4 – John A. (Bostoneo) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $14.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: September 2022
Contributed by: Cuenca Cigars

Initial Impressions – Foundation Olmec Claro Toro

Appearance: 93

“An excellent looking cigar. It is box pressed with no visible seams or veins, and the cigar is velvety smooth to the touch.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 90

“Soft and mild flavors of very creamy and Brazil nut flavors excite the mouth for what may be to come. On the nose, a mild primary leather and tobacco scent are present.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Milk chocolate, pecans, and salt on the cold draw. Starting out really nice with some light cream, and a bit of bread notes. The cigar’s strength is mild to a medium.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)”

“The initial impression of this cigar is giving pepper and bread which is a unique combination for me. It is leaving my mouth a little dry so I’m glad I have a beverage with me. Through the nose I’m getting sharp black pepper.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Rounding the corner into the second third, medium bodied body and strength are displayed in its full glory with a leathery floral flavors with a creamy black peppery finish. This profile remains true through the end of this third, providing ample enjoyment with a medium and dry outline.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“All the sweetness that started things off has tapered off at this point, leaving behind some creamy cappuccino and fresh cut cedar. At the halfway point, the warm cinnamon returns. This isn’t the sweet cinnamon though, but instead it compliments the coffee note for an interesting twist.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Coming into the final third and the caramel returns and reminds me of those Werther’s Original candies. I remember the first time I had one, back as a kid, visiting my grandmother’s house. I was a Skittles fanatic and she always got me a bag for my birthday, but this time she got me something else that I never heard of, Werther’s Original. I was apprehensive because she liked butterscotch, which I was not a fan of at the time. But these were so much better. It’s funny because people associate them with old people’s candy, but they are actually very good and this was a nice reminder of that for me.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“This cigar just keep pumping out the flavors, can you say transitions? Still continuing with the cream, coffee, nuts, but there is a hint of citrus seeping in every now and then. Hints of oak here in this final third.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Impressions – Foundation Olmec Claro Toro

Draw: 94

“This box pressed cigar has a near perfect draw from beginning to end. I’m really impressed with the heavy smoke output!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 91

“As shown in my photos the draw on this sample was really even and didn’t require any special attention. The ash held on in solid 1-1 1/2” chunks.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 95

“Excellent construction, as I pointed out earlier the cigar didn’t get hot on me. It performed beautifully. I go about an inch of ash each time before tapping it. If I had to give it a mark the ash was a bit flaky at times, and I had to baby it a bit for fear of wearing it.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 94

“Overall, this was a straightforward easy smoking cigar. Construction, burn, and draw were absolutely wonderful and plenty of mild through medium flavors of leather, floral, cream and pepper gave an enjoyable smoking experience that I’d double up on and smoke again. Give this honest cigar a chance, it may just be your next favorite.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“This was a nice cigar and a great way to spend 80 minutes of my day. The sourdough flavor in the final third is a rare profile for me and one I’d like to see more of. I will gladly smoke this again in the future and will recommend to anyone to try!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“This was an excellent cigar. I had a long day at work and I was looking for a cigar that I could just melt into my recliner and have the cigar just take the day away, and it did just that for me. Lots of transitions with this stick. I picked up lots of cream, nuts, coffee, bits of black pepper here and there as well as some citrus and wood notes. The cigar stayed at a mild to medium the entire smoking experience. If you’re looking for a cigar to just sit back and relax with I say look not further than this cigar. I will be picking up more and would like to pair it with my morning coffee on the weekend.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“To say that I enjoyed this cigar is an understatement. It was well made, and gave me no issues the entire time. The flavors were fantastic and transitions meshed together almost flawlessly. Classic notes of espresso, caramel, cedar lead the way for what was just a memorable cigar that I will most definitely look to have again.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 98

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Foundation Olmec Claro Toro – Blind Cigar Review