Highclere Castle Senetjer Becomes Annual Release

Foundation Cigar Co. and Highclere Castle have announced that the Highclere Castle Senetjer will become an annual release, with 500 boxes slated to be released each November.

The Senetjer is a 6 3/4 x 52 perfecto that debuted last year as a limited edition item from the two companies. Blend-wise, it uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Brazilian mata fina binder; the filler blend is not disclosed. The cigars are made at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.

Last year, Foundation released 2,800 boxes of 12 cigars, though the cigar was announced as a limited edition. This November, there will be 500 boxes released, something the companies say will become an annual tradition.

The MSRP is $33 per cigar, the same price as the 2022 release.

“Due to the great demand for this fantastic blend, we have decided to release 500 boxes every November to honor the finding,” said Nicholas Melillo, owner of Foundation Cigar Co., in a press release.

Senetjer was released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhman’s tomb in November 1922 by archaeologists Howard Carter and George Herbert, who funded the operation.

Herbert was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his home was Highclere Castle, which was filled with artifacts from the expeditions he funded. In more recent times, Highclere Castle has gained fame as the home of the popular television show “Downtown Abbey.” Foundation Cigar Co. and George Herbert, the 8th Earth of Caravorn and the great-grandson of the aforementioned George Herbert, have an agreement that includes the production of Highclere Castle cigars.

The Senetjer line takes its name from the ancient Egyptian word for incense, which has been translated as “of the gods” and “that which makes holy.

The cigar box is designed to be a replica of a storage box found in the tomb, other than the addition of Highclere Castle being translated in ancient hieroglyphics and inscribed on the facing of the box.