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 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
the 100-year discovery of King Tutankhamun: Highclere Castle Senetjer. The tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and famed archaeologist Howard Carter.
This year, at the IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas, Nick Melillo will release an extension to his release from last year's The Wise Man Maduro in a lancero format. The cigar scored a 95 in our blind review and earned #1 Cigar of the Year.
Foundation Cigar Company has announced two new cigar blends, "Charter Oak Pegnataro-CT Shade and Pasquale-CT Broadleaf." These new cigars are a tribute to the lasting influence and cherished memories of Nicholas Melillo's grandfathers, whose passion for tobacco inspired his own.
Cigar Info Foundation Cigars debuted a new core line of cigars, Olmec, at the 2022 PCA trade show. Foundation Olmec...
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 Cigars is adding a new size to its El Güegüense Corojo and The Wise Man Maduro lines. Macho Raton is a 4 ¾ x 60 perfecto that happens to be the same size as the company's 5th anniversary releases. The name Macho Raton is the nickname for the main character, El Güegüense, in the play of the same name. El Güegüense is a transcendent satirical drama that embodies several facets of the Nicaraguan experience
The first event-only Foundation cigar, Menelik, became a national release earlier this year. Now, to replace that comes The Grasshopper. Like the original Menelik, The Grasshopper comes in packs of 5 cigars. However, the cigars in the pack are different blends, two with a San Andres Mexican wrapper, two with Candela wrapper, and one cigar with a barber pole of San Andres and Candela. The internals of the cigars is all the same using a Corojo binder from Jalapa, Nicaragua fillers from Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa Nicaragua. Each cigar measure 5 1/4 x 52.
Come September 2020, there will be a new El Güegüense cigar, in the form of the 5yr Aniversario Collector’s chest. Nicholas Melillo debuted the original El Güegüense as one of the first lines in his Foundation Cigar Company in 2015. Now the company is releasing a limited edition 4 ¾ by 60 Perfecto in a special blend for the 5 year anniversary.
