Foundation Olmec Claro Grande Cigar – Box of 12

Foundation Cigars founder Nick Melillo created the Olmec Claro Grande after visiting Mexico’s San Andres tobacco region. This cigar honors the Olmec civilization, which cultivated tobacco in the area from 1600 to 400 BCE. The blend uses a Mexican San Andres Claro wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Filler tobaccos undergo a three-year bale-aging process to develop their flavor characteristics.

Tobacco Origins and Inspiration

The Foundation Olmec Claro Grande features a 6-inch by 60-ring gauge format designed for extended smoking sessions. Its Claro wrapper, sourced from San Andrés Valley, provides a smooth texture and earthy aroma. The binder and filler combine Mexican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, emphasizing regional cultivation traditions linked to the Olmecs’ historical tobacco use.

Blend Composition and Aging

• Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Claro
• Binder: Mexican
• Filler: Nicaraguan and Mexican

The Nicaraguan filler contributes peppery undertones, while the Mexican Claro wrapper introduces subtle sweetness. Three years of bale-aging enhance the filler’s flavor integration.

Flavor Development

Initial notes include almond, cedar, and mild spice. Mid-smoke transitions reveal earth, leather, and sweetness from the wrapper. Nicaraguan filler maintains peppery depth, balancing the wrapper’s creamy qualities.

Construction and Pairing

The Olmec Claro Grande offers a medium-bodied draw with even combustion. Its firm ash structure and consistent burn rate complement beverages like aged rum, whiskey, or dark roast coffee.