Cigar Reveal #320

Foundation
Tabernacle

The Foundation Tabernacle is one of the flagship blends from Foundation Cigar Company, a boutique brand founded by Nicholas Melillo, a respected figure in the cigar world known for blending bold, expressive cigars. Tabernacle debuted in 2016 and was among the first Foundation releases to use Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a leaf Melillo reveres for its deep richness and complexity. It’s handcrafted at A.J. Fernandez’s La Soledad factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, combining tobaccos from multiple regions to deliver a full-bodied, flavorful smoke. The cigar’s name and branding draw on themes of heritage, reverence, and tradition, with imagery that evokes sacred spaces and a deeper appreciation of tobacco’s history.

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Tabernacle
Anatomy

  • Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
    Nicaraguan (Estelí)
    Honduras
  • Mexican San Andrés

  • Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Tabernacle
Flavor Notes

First Third

Dark Chocolate

Rich Earthiness

Black Pepper

Dark Chocolate

Rich Earthiness

Black Pepper

Second Third

Cedar

Cocoa

Leather

Cedar

Cocoa

Leather

Final Third

Espresso

Sweet Tobacco

Black Pepper

Espresso

Sweet Tobacco

Black Pepper

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Reviews + Notes

Leaf Enthusiast

Upon light, the Tabernacle displayed a very full body with a heavy, mouth-coating oily smoke. The flavors initially were of espresso bean, semi-sweet chocolate, and earth. Secondary flavors of cedar, tea and strong red pepper came in quickly after, while the retrohale was mostly just intensely peppery. Broadleaf blends are usually on the fuller-bodied side, but this stick was the most full-bodied Broadleaf I’ve had since maybe the Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Reserva…and that applies to both the Toro and Corona vitolas of the Tabernacle.

Score: 9/10

Cigar Authority

I’m excited to try the other sizes in this line. Especially after they get some time on them. I feel that in a few months this cigar will age well and offer a few more complexities than it has now. His use of a Mexican San Andreas binder with Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers under a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper certainly made for an interesting smoke.

Rating: 92

Cigar Aficionado

This rustic looking toro smokes well, exhibiting a woody, nutty character. Persistent touches of sweetness and licorice recur on the finish.

Score: 90 points