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Spotlight Brand: El Gueguense

June 11, 2017 |

An ode to Nicaragua...

Pronounced el-wah-when-say, the initial release from Foundation Cigar Company helmed by former Drew Estate vice president Nicholas Melillo is a love song to Nicaragua. Meaning “the wise man,” El Gueguense is the oldest Nicaraguan play, and the bands of the cigar pay tribute to the theatrical work.

A Nicaragua puro, El Gueguense features a Corojo ’99 wrapper in the starring role. Rounding out the cast are vintage Nicaragua Corojo and Criollo long-leaves imparting a full-bodied flavor profile. Additional aging in cedar before its release, this blend is hearty and complex. Expect to be met with flavors of cedar, baking spice, dried fruit, pepper, espresso, and earthy tobacco notes. El Gueguense is a fantastic debut from Foundation Cigar Company and truly reflects the depth, richness, and complexity of Nicaraguan tobacco. If you’ve been searching for a perfect example of a Nicaraguan puro, El Gueguense will have you at hello.

#25 Cigar of 2016 – ‘92’ Rated by Cigar Aficionado

Q & A: Rehydrating Dried Cigars

Q.
I recently discovered a few cigars that I had purchased a week or so ago and completely forgot about them. They’re completely dried out, can they be saved?

6/08/17 | by PJ in Savannah, Georgia

A.

It’s happened to all of us, we buy a few cigars, shove them in the glovebox, only to pull them out a week later. By then, those precious handmades are as brittle as well... dried leaves. Fret not, there is a way to save them but it takes some work and a lot of patience. 

First, find a cool place with stable temperature and humidity. Second, carefully and SLOWLY rehydrate. Doing this requires precision, so pick up a few Boveda packs with relatively low humidity (about 60% is ideal), because too much moisture will cause your cigars to expand to quickly, and potentially cause the wrappers to crack. Next, insert your cigars into a ziplock bag or an airtight plastic container with the Boveda pack. Replace the Boveda pack if it solidifies. This could take a few weeks depending on climate, but taking these measures will return your handmades to normal. If some cracking appears at the foot, don’t worry, this is normal. It just means that the appropriate moisture has returned to your cigars and they are ready to be enjoyed.


by Tim

Review:

Tim Rome 505: A Bolder Departure

Romeo y Julieta is a brand that needs no introduction. It’s had staying power in a crowded field, simply because its cigars are timeless blends that enthusiasts have flocked to for over 130 years. The brand wanted to appeal to enthusiasts who prefer bolder flavors, so it branched out a few years ago with its Romeo line-up. Which brings us to its newest release: Romeo 505

Named for Nicaragua’s country code, 505 is distinct among the brand’s portfolio for a couple of reasons. First, it’s the only Romeo blend that is primarily sourced in Nicaragua. Secondly, it’s a lot bolder than any of the brand’s offerings to date. A combination of rich fillers from Jalapa, Esteli, and Condega are wrapped in a dark and oily Habano Jalapa leaf, which is smooth to the touch and has rich a aroma with sweet notes of leather and cedar. 

I tend to gravitate toward bolder cigars, so this seemed right up my alley from the start. After taking a few puffs, it was clear that this cigar stands out from Romeo’s other cigars. It definitely lives up to the hype with ample sweetness, spice, and earthiness. This is not a cigar you would want to enjoy on an empty stomach, because as promised, it packs the punch you would expect from a full bodied cigar. 

I enjoyed the hell out of 505 and I can say with certainty that it appeals to anyone who prefers full bodied cigars with tons of flavor and quality construction. Hats off to Romeo y Julieta, this is a cigar that I can see myself lighting up again in the very near future.


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