Foundation Olmec Claro Corona Gorda 5 1/2″ * 48

The slimmer counterpart to the Toro, the Corona Gorda tightens the Foundation Olmec Claro blend into a more wrapper-forward format.

The line was developed by Nicholas Melillo of Foundation Cigar Co. as a tribute to the Olmec civilization of the San Andrés Valley, who cultivated tobacco between roughly 1400 and 400 BC. The cigar carries a lower-priming Mexican San Andrés Claro wrapper fermented at low temperatures to retain its natural oils, over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long-filler from Estelí and Jalapa, with the filler bale-aged at least three years after fermentation. Production runs at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua in Estelí. The Corona Gorda measures 5 1/2 by 48, ships in boxes of 12, and sits at medium-to-full body.

Expect cinnamon, white pepper, and toasted bread at the start, with cedar and a malted-grain character running through the middle before a finish carrying cocoa, leather, and espresso. The 48 ring gauge pushes the San Andrés Claro wrapper further forward than in the wider formats, with the spice and grain notes coming through more sharply. The size suits a mid-length afternoon session.

Pairings: bourbon, espresso, or porter.