2020 marks the five year anniversary of Nicholas Melillo‘s Foundation Cigar Company. To mark the occasion, Melillo and Foundation have announced a special release with the limited edition El Güegüense – 5yr Aniversario Collector’s Chest.
El Güegüense was Foundation Cigar’s first release back in 2015. Translating to “The Wise Man”, El Güegüense is the name of a literary work that is very much a part of the fabric of Nicaragua culture. Melillo selected the name to pay homage to Nicaragua as he spent many years living there while at Drew Estate.
The El Güegüense 5 Yearr Aniversario features a Nicaraguan Corona ’99 wrapper, a San Andres binder and fillers from Jalapa and Estelí Nicaragua. While the original Aniversario was 100% Nicaraguan puro, the 5 Year Aniversario is not in that it is using the San Andres Binder. The cigars will come in one shape, a limited edition 4 3/4 x 60 perfecto.
The cigars will be packaged in a collector’s chest resembling the one held by The Wise Man during Nicaragua’s Festival of San Sebastián Great Dance. The artwork represents the hard work, ingenuity, and deep cultural wealth of the Nicaraguan people. A total of 20 perfectos will be included in the chest. Pricing is set at $300.00 per unit.
“This box is one of the most unique I have seen in all of my years in the industry,” said Melillo in a press release. “Foundation’s art director, Thief Operandi, did an amazing job on the artwork. It perfectly complements this rich, elegant, and complex blend. This is a true collector’s piece.”
The units are scheduled to ship in September.
At a glance, here is a look at the El Güegüense 5 Yr Aniversario:
Blend and Origin
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Binder: San Andres Mexican
Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Vitolas Offered
Perfecto: 4 3/4 x 60
Photo Credits: Foundation Cigar Company
