Foundation Cigar Company’s Menelik was up until now, an event-only cigar. Now, Nicholas Melillo is making this cigar available for sale in a limited production run. We reviewed the cigar and gave it a 91.
The name, Menelik, comes from the ancient emperor of Ethiopia thought to be son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba. He was also known as Ibn al-Hakim, which translates into “Son of the Wise Man.” hence the connection to Foundation Cigars who have released El Güegüense, which translates to The Wise Man, and Wise Man Maduro.
The blend uses a San Andres Mexico wrapper, Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Jalapa binder, and Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa filler. Indiviaual cigars will sell for $13 while a box of 12 cost $156. The comes in a single viotla, a soft-box pressed petit robusto measuring 4 1/2 x 52. It also has a pigtail, or culita, cap. Menelik is going to be shown off at IPCPR and ships August.
