Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Robusto (5 x 50)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Foundation Olmec
FOUNDATION OLMEC REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Red and black pepper on the palate and retro wake me up like it’s time to go go. Milk chocolate comes in to calm down the spice. Approaching the halfway mark, buttered whole grain toast has me craving a mimosa.
While a dentist probably wouldn’t recommend eating peanut shells, this cigar presents a nice note of subtle nuttiness sans the oily texture of peanuts themselves. (For the record, I’m not a dentist; however, I also would not recommend eating peanut shells.) Just as I was ready to close this review down with the cigar hauling oats and other whole grains, mint hits one final power chord.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Bolo ties
Pairing Suggestion: Michelada
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
FOUNDATION OLMEC REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar started with a pepper blast, though the pepper dropped in intensity quickly. It also brought flavors of earth, pecan, rye bread, and coffee.
The draw and burn were both good. It was a well-made cigar, though not one that I found particularly memorable as an experience.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: A cigar to smoke when you're chillin with your friends and want to focus on the friend
Pairing Suggestion: Coke
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
FOUNDATION OLMEC REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Opens up with a potent green pepper and earthy note. Kind of salty for a few puffs; first time I've had to reach for water after every draw. Floral and smoked meats entering the second. I could be wrong but for a split second, I thought I got orange zest on my retro hale. Pretty cool! Nice smoke production and construction; flakey ash though! Almost missed my ashtray.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Salt and Vinegar potato chips
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee and cream
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
FOUNDATION OLMEC REVIEW – TED
Summary: Another soft box-pressed Robusto this week. No complaints here. This cigar is light in the hand and has a perfect resistance in the draw.
Right away I’m tasting a very dry profile of wood, earth, red pepper flake, and a mild vegetal note. There’s a nice transition adding in a sweet mixture of mild baking spices and tea.
Sliding into the middle section and I get a warm, sweet mixture of wood and leather with sweet tea and mild pepper spice. Also, this cigar is made very well. I have set this down a couple of times to answer emails and it just stays lit perfectly. The smoke is thick and the retro hale reminds me of sweet chili sauce you may find on Thai food.
Heading towards the end. It’s a spicy mixture of wood, nuts and earth that remains overall very dry on the palate. There still a slight lingering sweetness but really, the pepper is amping up a bit and I dig it. A+ construction front to back.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Finding a Benjamin when you’re searching for a Lincoln
Pairing Suggestion: A smooth Stout
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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