Highclere Castle Senetjer

Foundation Cigar Co.

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Brazil (Mata Fina)
• Filler: Undisclosed
• Length: 6 3/4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Perfecto
• MSRP: $33 (Box of 12, $396)
• Release Date: November 2022
• Number of Cigars Released: 2,800 Boxes of 12 Cigars (33,600 Total Cigars)*
• Original Score: 92

*This is an annual limited production release. These numbers are for the 2022 release.

Created to honor the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhman’s tomb in November 1922 by archaeologists Howard Carter and George Herbert—the latter actually funded the operation—the Highclere Castle Senetjer won points from reviewers for its delicate flavors, balanced profile, and impeccable construction in the first half.

While Foundation announced that the cigar was a limited edition when it debuted—and stated that only 2,800 boxes of 12 cigars were being released—the company reversed course last November and stated there will be 500 boxes released on an annual basis going forward.

In addition, while a cigar’s packaging does not factor into its ranking on this list, it is hard to deny how unique the boxes for the Senetjer are. Those boxes were designed in collaboration with archaeologists Colleen and John Darnell, who created a cigar box that is a replica of a storage box found in the tomb, a recreation so well-designed that it placed #5 on halfwheel’s Top 10 Packaging Awards last year. A rare double-up on awards. — Brooks Whittington.