If you show up at a Foundation Cigar Co. event sometime soon, there’s a new cigar you need to try, but you cannot buy it.
Last night, the company debuted Menelik, a 4 1/2 x 52 box-pressed petit robusto that features a bun cap. It uses a Nicaraguan corojo maduro wrapper from Jalapa over an undisclosed filler blend.
The cigar is available only at events and is not for sale.
Menelik refers to an ancient king, Ebna la-Hakim. He is believed to be son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba and his Arabic name translates to son of the wise. Foundation’s first release, El Güegüense translates into the wise man.
Nicholas Melillo, Foundation’s founder, declined to comment on where the cigar is being made.