Southbury, CT – July 8, 2016 - Rick Ardito has officially joined Foundation Cigar Company as Brand Manager, for the highly anticipated July 2016 release of Nick Melillo’s exciting new brand, “The Upsetters.” Ardito brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience to the project backed by nearly two decades of industry experience beginning with Drew Estate in 1997, retiring in 2010 as both a Partner and Executive Vice President of Public Relations. Ardito also served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for 7-20-4 Cigar Company from 2012-2015. Prior to the cigar industry Ardito served 8 years as a Cryptologist for the United States Marine Corps. Upon leaving the Corps Ardito began a career in comedy performing mainly from NYC to Miami Florida, residing in both cities during the 1980’s and 1990’s, moving back to his home state of CT in 1995 becoming a successful Restaurateur in New Haven.
Foundation Cigar Company is refreshing the packaging of their infused Jamaican line, Upsetters. Upsetters was first shown off at the 2016 IPCPR trade show and convention. The brand is inspired by the Jamaica’s musicians and created by Nick Melillo's love for Jamaican tobacco and their culture. These new designs for the Upsetters were done by Foundation's in-house creative laboratory, The ATOL Collective and were inspired by Jamaican album covers from the 1960's.
Foundation Cigars is adding a 6 x 52 Toro to the Menelik line. The new size will be shown off at the PCA trade show next month. Menelik has been around since 2016 and was originally a event-only cigar. In 2019, it became more widely available in boxes of 12 as a limited release. The original size was a 4 1/2 x 52 short robusto.
Foundation Cigar Company has announced another brand for the upcoming PCA trade show in Las Vegas, METAPA. Inspired by the birth town of Rubén Darío, a legendary Nicaraguan poet, Metapa pays homage to Nicaragua's rich cultural heritage and the artistry behind its world-class cigars.
Foundation Cigar Company has announced its second line known as “The Upsetters”, a blend of Jamaican and Nicaraguan fillers which is a travel story itself, documenting Melillo’s endless trips to tobacco fields and curing barns. While Foundation’s first brand, El Güegüense was a Nicaraguan puro that paid homage to the culture of Nicaragua
Foundation Cigar Company’s has announced two new sizes in the Tabernacle line: David and Goliath. Tabernacle was Nick Melillio's second traditional premium cigar line, coming the year after El Güegüense. Tabernacle was his first Foundation cigar to use Connecticut broadleaf and out of reverence for the tobacco leaf, and tobacco tradition came the name, from Hebrew scripture: The Tabernacle - which housed the Ark of the Covenant before the building of the Temple of Solomon.
Southbury, CT July 5th, 2016 - Nicholas Melillo, owner of Foundation Cigar Company formally announces the appointment of Miami Cigar Company as the Exclusive Distributor for the long awaited UPSETTERS brand set for release just prior to the 2016 IPCPR Show in Las Vegas.
"Solid mild to medium cigar. The spice and pepper on the front and end of the cigar were nice. With the middle, a tad more mild and less pepper and more earth and coffee it did not overwhelm you like som peppery cigar will to some people. This should be a cigar to try on many people's list. " -Jake P. (Jake P.)
Nick Mellio and Foundation Cigar Co. were showing off three new releases that this year's IPCPR Trade Show: The Tabernacle, Charter Oak, and The Upsetters. You can read the original press releases by clicking on the respective names.
Draw, burn, and construction were spot on and should be a mile marker what the quality of how a cigar should be rolled and constructed. The flavor profiles of chocolate, coffee, and leather appeared to be the dominate flavor profiles throughout the cigar which provided a nice relaxing experience. While I did not pair it with anything, a mocha latte or hot chocolate would pair wonderfully with this cigar as they would compliment each other immensely. Complexity was not in full force, however the profile was enjoyable enough to keep me happy throughout the duration of the session. Definitely something you should pick up if ever given the chance to attend a Foundation event!
