Charter Oak Habano Torpedo

FOUNDATION CIGAR CO.

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Length: 6 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Torpedo
• MSRP: $7 (Boxes of 50, $350)
• Release Date: Sept. 30, 2020
• Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
• Original Score: 93

For the third installment of the Charter Oak line, Nicholas Melillo of Foundation Cigar Co. turned to an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, one that he said filled the profile gap between the first two releases, which used a Connecticut shade-grown leaf and a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

The result was a cigar that more than filled a gap in the company’s portfolio, it delivered a remarkable cigar in the process. It’s a slightly tamer profile than what some might think of when hearing the word habano, an example of the total being greater than the sum of its parts. Whether it’s the creaminess, pepper or woodiness, each is not only bright and clean on its own, but collectively they fit together like puzzle pieces to create a very enjoyable result.

While there will always be debate about which of the three Charter Oak variations is a person’s favorite, there should be almost no discussion that the Charter Oak Habano is an incredibly flavorful cigar. — Patrick Lagreid.