Foundation Cigars The Wise Man Maduro cigars is an extension of the brand's popular El Gueguense line, which translates as 'The Wise Man' in English. Company founder Nick Melillo wanted to bring some new complexity to the line, so he gave the original Nicaraguan puro a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper.
The result is Foundation Cigar Co. The Wise Man Maduro, a medium to full-bodied stick with tastes of nutty milk chocolate, and dark espresso. Like its puro elder sibling, the Maduro is a joy.
Read our Wise Man Maduro review, a 5.5 x 50 stick and one of five vitolas in the range.
An introduction to Foundation Cigars
Foundation Cigar Co. dates back to 2015 when Nick Melillo decided to strike out on his own. Before that, Melillo had made a name for himself at Drew Estates. His signature is on some of the studio's most popular creations, including the Liga Privada.
The first Foundation Cigar Company cigar was El Gueguense, which remains one of the brand's best-loved products. Five years later, an anniversary edition was released, the 5 Year Limited Edition Aniversario Collector's Edition. Foundation Cigars The Wise Man Maduro is a variation on the original El Gueguense with a Mexican Maduro wrapper, for a change in the overall complexity of the smoking experience.
Cigar Specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: TABSA (Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.) Esteli, Nicaragua
- Wrapper: San Andres Mexican Maduro
- Binder: Nicaragua Corojo 99
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sizes available:
- Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Robusto (5.5 x 50)
- Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Corona Gorda (5.62 x 46)
- Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Toro Huaco (6 x 56)
- Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Torpedo (6.25 x 52)
- Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Churchill (7 x 48)
- Smoke time: Roughly 70 minutes
How is the Wise Man constructed?
Foundation Cigars The Wise Man Maduro is a Nicaraguan cigar in Mexican clothing. Each handmade premium cigar is rolled in a San Andres Maduro wrapper, a dark chocolate leaf with a seamless finish that encapsulates the Nicaraguan-aged long-fillers from Esteli and Condega, and the vintage Nicaraguan Corojo 99 binder from Jalapa.
An expertly applied triple cap puts the finishing touch on this artisan stick. In this review, I will look at the Foundation Cigar Co. The Wise Man Maduro Robusto, the smallest vitola in the range. There's also the bullet-shaped Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Torpedo at 6.25 x 52 and the biggest boy in the line-up, Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Churchill, which weighs in at an impressive 7 x 48.
A little about the cold draw
Take a moment to enjoy the aromas of the wrapper, even before you get to the cold draw. There are scents of leather and earth, coffee and cocoa. After clipping the cap, there's more of that Mexican earthiness, cocoa powder, and coffee, along with hints of dark fruits and black cherry.
What I thought to the flavors
The Wise Man Maduro is medium-full bodied with a flavor profile that delivers the finely balanced sweetness and bitterness of chocolate and espresso. There are peppery and nutty top notes throughout, and I recommend a hot coffee as the perfect companion beverage. The Wise Man Maduro makes an excellent after-dinner smoke while relaxing in your favorite armchair.
First third
At the start, that balance of bittersweet flavors is in abundance, with the chocolate and black coffee keeping each other in check. As the first third proceeds, the espresso comes through more strongly, giving The Wise Man Maduro a bitter profile that is not unpleasant. Red pepper on the finish and retrohales brings a spicy complexity.
Second third
The middle third takes on an almost dessert-like flavor profile as rich chocolate and dark fruits start to land on the palate. If you're a fan of a heavy chocolate cake dressed with black cherries, this full-bodied phase of The Wise Man Maduro is likely to be right up your street.
Final third
Into the home straight, that gateau flavor profile continues, with dark fruits and chocolate remaining until the very end. The after-dinner coffee comes to the fore too, with the espresso riding high on the earthy and peppery background. The complexity is satisfying and the flavors, while contrasting, complement each other perfectly.
How strong is The Wise Man Maduro?
Overall, I'd say The Wise Man Maduro is a medium-full body smoke, although there are definitely times in the middle third when the flavors swell to become more full-bodied. This gives the strength a peak in the middle of the smoking journey, while toward the end it's the complexity rather than the power that delivers a delightful finish.
In conclusion
Foundation Cigars The Wise Man Maduro cigar has something for everyone, with a flavor profile that packs in both bitter tastes and sweetness, and five vitolas so you can choose how long to spend on the smoke itself. Available in boxes of 25, this is one handmade cigar you'll want to buy in bulk, so you can revisit it time and time again.
