Nick Melillo

Episode 109: PCA 2023 Trade Show Part 2

We finish up our coverage of the 2023 PCA Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada with interviews from James and Nick. In this episode you’ll hear from newcomer Kaneda Cigars, the always entertaining Matt Booth of Room 101, Sebastien Decoppet of Cavalier Cigars, Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, and Nick Melillo of Foundation…

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Cigar Review: Highclere Castle Senetjer by Foundation Cigars

“At last we have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; re-covered same for your arrival; congratulations,” read the telegram from Howard Carter to his patron, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Thus, the world changed in 1922.  After never fully recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident in 1903, Lord…

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Cigar Review: Foundation Cigar’s Olmec Claro Toro

Every year, and the day before the Rocky Mountain Cigar Fest, Nick Melillo holds a Foundation event at a cigar lounge in the Denver, CO area. This year, it was at The Smoking Cave in Highlands Ranch, CO. The event also served as the launch party for Foundation’s newest release, the Olmec. I was lucky…

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Top 10 Boutique Cigar Companies You Must Try

What is a boutique cigar? That question has been asked by aficionados and enthusiasts for years causing much debate within the community. Definitions of what makes a cigar brand boutique include: Brands who do not own their own factory, brands who only produce lines in small batches, and even cigars manufactured in a small factory….

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Foundation El Gueguense

OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Corona Gorda SIZE:   5-5/8″ x 46 ORIGIN:   Nicaragua FACTORY:   Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. WRAPPER:   Nicaraguan Corojo 99 BINDER:   Nicaraguan Corojo 99 FILLER:   Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo from Estelli & Jalapa STRENGTH:   Medium SOURCE: Jungle Jim’s ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three-Season Porch at Home WHEN: January 12, 2017 @ 10 AM DRINKS: Starbucks Dark Roast WEATHER: Super…

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Episode 14: AMA w/Nick Melillo of Foundation Cigars

I get the opportunity to sit down and chat with Nick Melillo, master blender, and founder of Foundation Cigars for a SimplyStogies.club AMA/Virtual Cut & Light via Zoom Meeting. We had a fantastic conversation about Nick’s cigar journey, how he got started, what he’s learned, and where he’s going. We discussed a slew of topics…

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Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142

OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Corona SIZE:   5-1/4″ x 46 ORIGIN:   Nicaragua FACTORY:   Tabacalera AJ Fernandez WRAPPER:   Connecticut Havana Seed CT #142 BINDER:   Mexican San Andres FILLER:   Nicaraguan (Esteli & Jalapa); Honduran (Jamastran) STRENGTH:   Medium – Full SOURCE: Party Source, Bellevue KY ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three Season Porch at Home WHEN: May 23, 2019 @ 11 AM DRINKS: Coffee (Black)…

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