Tasting Note

Foundation Cigar Co. gives us a lesson in anthropology with its Olmec Claro line. Olmec is named after the ancient Mesoamerican people who occupied the area in Mexico where tobacco is grown today. That same tobacco is what defines the Olmec series, as the cigars are wrapped in Mexican cover leaf. Made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez, Olmec comes in two wrapper types, Maduro and Claro (the Claro being slightly lighter). We found outstanding balance in the Claro Corona Gorda, which delivers a dense, sweet-and-spicy smoke. Bursts of ginger and citrus provide the zest while accents of nuts, toast and vanilla bring sweet detail.