The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 is a followup to Nick Melillo and Foundation cigar company’s original Tabernacle which was released in 2016. This new blend was shown off at the 2018 IPCPR trade show in July 2018 but did not ship until December. Currently it is available in four vitolas: Toro – 6×52, Robusto – 5×50, Corona – 5.25×46, Double Corona – 7×54. Prices go form$9/cigar to $13/cigar. The wrapper used for the blend is a Havana Seed #142 Grown in Connecticut in the Connecticut River Valley, It also uses a Mexican San Andres binder and fillers from Esteli and Jalapa Nicaragua, and the Jamastran region of Honduras.
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.
The wrapper leaf known as Havana Seed #142 has a unique story. Its origins are unknown besides that it came to the US between 1870 and 1880. It has similarities to broadleaf, but is smaller and smoother. It also grows upright on the stalk making for better yields. It is spicy and earthy like Cuban tobacco, with hints of cedar but has sweetness like Connecticut Broadleaf. It has been evolving in the Connecticut River Valley for over 100 years and Nick has been working with particular farmers in the valley since 2014 to help get the right flavor characteristics. This work ended up as Havana Seed #38 and Havana Seed #1207, also known as Page-Comstock – then those were combined for Havana #142. The leaf is oily and full flavored but is also thin, necessitating an extended fermentation process, at lower heat. The tobacco used in this cigar has been curing for almost 3 years in Nicaragua under AJ Fernandez and Nick.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Length: 5 1/4″ Ring Gauge: 46 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Havana Seet CT #142 (USA) Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A. Blender: Nick Melillo Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) John A.(Bostoneo) Mickey T.(irratebass) John I. (John I.) Dave W. (mdwest) Price: $9.00 Age: 3 Months Release Date: December 2018 Contributed by: Foundation Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“A nice corona-sized cigar with a dark, veiny wrapper with straight, uniform lines. A really appealing appearance.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Aroma: 95
“On the body I get a faint charred wood aroma, on the foot I get heavy bbq with the charred wood and maybe some cinnamon mixed in there. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Upon lighting up, I am greeted with a medium body profile of sweet leather, cedar, and a touch of black pepper. As the smoke progresses past the initial burn, the whole profile mellows a bit and maintains the same flavors throughout. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“On the cold draw I get BBQ with oak, with earth components. Musty flavors right out the gate with a bit of wood. As the cigar progressed the mustiness has left and I am getting mostly earthy/woody and a hint of marshmallow. Strength is at a medium.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona
“Continues to impress through the mid section. Lots of bold chocolate and licorice notes. Vaguely creamy and slightly sweet on the finish. Tons of oil developing and oozing to the surface as this warms up. ” –John I. (John I.)
“The second third profiles identically to the first other than the tiny bit of harshness on the finish has disappeared and the cigar has become more smooth and creamy. Flavors and strength remain the same. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Final Third
Flavor: 94 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Full
“Grassy wood and espresso starts the last third. Very delicious very enjoyable. Burn has been extraordinary. We aren’t that far into 2019 but this is number one so far.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona
“The cigar really picked up on the flavors in the final third, I got cream not just on the retro either. still plenty of earth & wood, but the cream really balanced it out.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Very nice open draw with LOTS of smoke both from the mouth and the cigar itself. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 93
“The stick maintained a razor sharp burn line from beginning until end and had consistent cool combustion. This is how a cigar should burn.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Construction: 94
“Very good construction overall. As noted a slightly snug draw detracted slightly from the early portion of this cigar.” –John I. (John I.)
“Draw kept this cigar from getting a better review, but it didn’t ruin the experience, did detract from it though.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This one was just okay. Nothing really happened flavor wise and the black pepper throughout got very mundane after awhile, especially when it just became overwhelming. For me, it’s a one and done, not my gig.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“I enjoyed this cigar, it was a bit too earthy for me, but the cream elements art the end really balanced it out for me.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Magnificent cigar in my absolute favorite vitola. The flavor profile hit all of my weaknesses, pepper, coffee, chocolate, and an ongoing background tease of spices from the Indian/North African flavor palette. Loved this smoke, and I want a bunch more of them as soon as possible. ” –John I. (John I.)
“Its still the early part of 2019, but I am convinced this stick will make my top 10 list this year. I’d purchase a box tomorrow.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona
Overall Score – 92 Great
Blind Cigar Review: Foundation | The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona
Summary
"Magnificent cigar in my absolute favorite vitola. The flavor profile hit all of my weaknesses, pepper, coffee, chocolate, and an ongoing background tease of spices from the Indian/North African flavor palette. Loved this smoke, and I want a bunch more of them as soon as possible. " -John I. (John I.)
