Pronounced “El-Wah-Wen-Say,” the new El Güegüense cigars are being made at the TABSA factory in Nicaragua, home of Casa Fernandez, Viaje, and some Illusione cigars. The name is based on one of Nicaragua‘s most culturally iconic folklore dramas and translates to “the wiseman.” The imagery on the box looks like the masks used in the performance. today we are reviewing the Foundation | El Güegüense Torpedo.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
“This brand encapsulates my twelve years of living in Estelí and my respect for all things Nicaragua,” Nick Melillo said.According to Melillo, El Güegüense is blended with vintage-specific tobacco. The blend is comprised of a Corojo ’99 wrapper and binder from Jalapa, though from different tobacco farms, while the filler is made up of Criollo and Corojo tobaccos from 2011 and 2012 crop years. (Note: Corojo ’99 does not indicate harvest year, but seed variety.) The El Güegüense cigars is packaged in boxes of 25 and in five sizes: Robusto, 5 1/2 inches by 50 ring; Corona Gorda, 5 5/8 by 46; Toro Huaco, 6 by 56; Churchill, 7 by 48; and Torpedo, 6 1/4 by 52. They’ll retail from $9 to $13 . They will be debuted at the IPCPR trade show on July 18, and the cigars were available in September 2015. Melillo formerly ran production at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua, where he worked for 11 years. The Connecticut-based Foundation Cigar Co. is his first cigar brand since departing Drew Estate in 2014.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo Length: 6.25″ Ring Gauge: 52 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo and Corojo Factory: TABSA Blender: Nicholas Melillo Number of reviewers: 5—–Gregg (McGreggor57) Kent (Throck) Ryan (Youngryan216) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (BMP_Emmett) Price: $11.50 Age: 1 Month Release Date: September 2015 Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“This is a really interesting looking torpedo, the cap is sort of dull in shape, almost like a regular triple cap. The wrapper is a dark brown with very minimal veins and seams. There is only slight marbling of color.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Aroma: 93
“A little leather off the wrapper with some added hay at the foot. The cold draw is more of the same.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“After cutting, lighting up and a few puffs to get things rolling, I’m met with a nice combination of flavors: A sweetness (not overpowering, but complimenting), baking spices, a mild/med tobacco and cream. All the flavors seem equally balanced and very smooth. No burn or zing on the retrohale. Tons of smoke and a fantastic draw! Burn is a tiny bit wavy, but not enough to require a touch up at this time.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“The first puff is very distinct cedar with not too much spice yet. A little further in, some spices join the mix in the form of cinnamon and pepper. Towards the end of the third, a dried fruit flavor joins, like cherry. The draw and burn have been perfect. This third was spectacular.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
“A great combination of tobacco and leather with a light coffee on the finish. This basic profile is a nice respite to the bolder start of the cigar. It’s easy to close your eyes and get a little lost in the simplicity of this third.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“While the first third was really good, the second third starts burning and I quickly realize this is the sweet spot of the cigar. There is an excellent balance in body, strength and flavor. The same cereal-like flavors have transformed into a fresh baked, French bread doughiness that I am really digging. There is still some spice, but it’s very nicely restrained, and not hot on the tongue. And there is also a nuttiness that has survived from the very beginning that compliments the spice perfectly.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third again mellowed out with the predominant flavor being cedar. Leather still persisted, but was dominated by the former.” –Kent (Throck)
“This third has taken on a sweetness, it’s hard to place, maybe chocolate and caramel. There is still a background of meatiness and nuts. The spices have calmed down a little. Towards the end, the cedar makes a comeback and balances nicely with the rest of the flavor. This third was just as good as the others, just fantastic.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“The cigar had a beautiful, consistent draw that was true from foot to cap.” –Kent (Throck)
Burn: 91
“From the outset, the burn always had a little wave to it. And everytime I’d think of touching it up, it would even up a bit- never straight, and had that wave. So just left it alone as it never got out of hand.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Construction: 90
“While it looked great and tasted fantastic, it was tough to keep lit. Whether this is a construction issue or an aging issue, I am not sure. I am choosing to take a few points from each category.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)
“Another cigar that offered a nice transition through the thirds. Some bolder flavors in the beginning were countered by a nice balance of simple leather, tobacco and coffee in the middle. The ending was a mellower version of the start.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“I really enjoyed the cigar, especially in the first and final thirds. The middle third was a bit too acrid for me, but I could appreciate the fact that others may enjoy this. I would recommend this cigar to more seasoned smokers and not the person delving into the world of cigars for the first time.” –Kent (Throck)
“This cigar burned slow and took me over two hours to smoke, but I did not mind, given its delicious flavor profile. The blender of this stick really knew what they were doing and how to get the most out of their tobacco. I am tasting Corojo for sure, and I am guessing from the red pepper spice this is straight-up Nicaraguan badassery. Bad combustion and multiple relights are the only negatives here, but they are substantial negatives that really affected the overall experience.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)
“Overall, it was pretty dang good. I liked the flavors and the subtle changes in the different thirds. I don’t like getting nic kicks so that didn’t thrill me, but that was the only thing I really didn’t care for. Other than that, it was a pleasurable smoke.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“I absolutely loved this cigar. This was one of the best cigars I have reviewed this year, if not the best. Whatever it is will be a contender for cigar of the year for sure. The flavors were plentiful, balanced and interesting. Construction was top-notch. I highly recommend everyone try this cigar, and I will buy a box. Highly recommend this.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | El Güegüense Torpedo
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | El Güegüense Torpedo
Summary
"I absolutely loved this cigar. This was one of the best cigars I have reviewed this year, if not the best. Whatever it is will be a contender for cigar of the year for sure. The flavors were plentiful, balanced and interesting. Construction was top-notch. I highly recommend everyone try this cigar, and I will buy a box. Highly recommend this." -Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
