The Tabernacle Corona 5 1/4″ x 46

Nick Melillo ran tobacco at Drew Estate for years before starting Foundation, and The Tabernacle was the first blend he put out under his own name. He did not open quiet.

A Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper covers Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan filler, full in body. Expect dark chocolate, espresso, earth and pepper. At 5 1/4 by 46, it burns cool and even.

Connecticut Broadleaf is stalk cut, meaning the whole plant is cut and hung rather than the leaves picked one by one, then fermented hard and long. That is where the dark color, the oil and the sweetness come from, and why so little of the crop makes wrapper grade.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or porter.