Foundation Charter Oak Maduro Rothschild 4 1/2″ x 50

From Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Co., the Foundation Charter Oak Maduro Rothschild is a broadleaf-wrapped robusto, handmade in Nicaragua. Nicholas Melillo spent years sourcing Nicaraguan leaf before founding the brand.

It blends a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan Habano binder and Nicaraguan filler at a medium to full body, leading with cocoa, espresso, black pepper, and a sweet, almost-syrupy dark earth. At 4 1/2 by 50, it burns cool and even.

Pennsylvania grows Broadleaf too, under the same name, and the two are cousins. Pennsylvania leans toward earth and spice, Connecticut toward chocolate and sweetness.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or porter.