The Foundation Cigar Company El Gueguense is one of the all-time great Nicaraguan cigars. This puro packs cedar, toffee and spices into an attractive medium-brown stick with medium body and medium-full strength.
'Gueguense' is pronounced wha-wen-say and translates into English as 'wise man'. That's certainly true of Nick Melillo, master tobacconist and founder of Foundation Cigar Co.
You can find out more about this popular boutique cigar in our Foundation El Gueguense cigar review below, or take a look at our Foundation El Gueguense video review at the bottom of the page.
Some background on Foundation Cigar Co.
Melillo earned his reputation at Drew Estates, where he blended some of the brand's most celebrated cigars, including the Liga Privada. In 2015 he decided to go solo by starting the appropriately named Foundation Cigars.
Foundation Cigar Co El Gueguense was the first blend released by Foundation Cigars and has become a firm fan favorite, even earning itself a special release, the 5 Year Limited Edition Aniversario Collector's Edition, to celebrate five years on the market.
Cigar Specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: Tobacco Valle de Jalapa, Nicaragua
- Wrapper: Nicaragua
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sizes available:
- Foundation El Gueguense Lancero (7 x 40)
- Foundation El Gueguense Corona Gorda (5.62 x 46)
- Foundation El Gueguense Toro Huaco (6 x 56)
- Foundation El Gueguense Torpedo (6.25 x 52)
- Foundation El Gueguense Churchill (7 x 48)
- Foundation El Gueguense Robusto (5.5 x 50)
- Foundation El Gueguense 5th Anniversary (4.75 x 60)
How is the Foundation El Gueguense constructed?
Foundation Cigars El Gueguense is a puro, with Nicaraguan filler, wrapper, and binder, and these expertly handmade cigars are rolled at the Tobacco Valle de Jalapa factory in Nicaragua too. Tight seams and a triple cap show the attention to detail in the construction of El Gueguense.
This gives Foundation El Gueguense impressive credentials if you're a puro fanatic. The blended filler tobacco includes vintage Corojo and Criollo leaves, and the tobacco is aged in cedar to round out the flavor.
Notes I got from the cold draw
The cedar wood comes through on the cold draw, along with dried fruit and sweetness that will last throughout the cigar. The draw is light overall, not lacking in potency, but not demanding too much either.
Flavors enjoyed from the Foundation El Gueguense
In terms of flavors, the profile is similar to the cold draw, with a blend of cedar, wood, peppery top notes, sweetness, and spices. Allow the retro-hale to linger a little longer if you want to boost the sweetness even further.
I prefer to pair El Gueguense with iced coffee and again, if you have a sweet tooth, this is a cigar you can enjoy alongside your favorite candy or melt-in-the-mouth chocolate.
First third
Earthy cedar is there from the start as the aged tobacco really shines through in this stick from the first drag. Baking spices and black pepper can also be detected and their strength is in the retro hale, allowing you to control the effect El Gueguense has on your senses.
Second third
More cedar and baking spices. The strength is about medium now, with more dry earth coming through. You may be able to pick up a hint of toasted bread and cookies as the middle third progresses.
Final third
Toast becomes char and the black pepper settles a little. Dry earth and charred cedar wood form the medium body of this final third, with a more subtle layer of baking spices. El Gueguense doesn't exactly 'pack a punch' but it's pleasing to the senses throughout.
How strong is the cigar?
The Foundation Cigar El Gueguense is strong but not overpowering, with medium-full strength and medium body. The sweet top notes are a tantalizing addition to the flavor profile, appealing to the senses and luring you back for the next drag. As always, savor the retro-hale if you want the smoke to add strength and complexity to your overall experience.
Final thoughts
Foundation Cigar Co's El Gueguense is a rare treat, a debut cigar that is every bit as popular now as when it scored itself a place in the 2015 'top 25 cigars' list. With El Gueguense Foundation Cigar Co made a name for themselves and showed that Melillo had what it takes to go it alone.
It's a real pleasure to be able to enjoy this Nicaraguan puro even after several years, and the anniversary edition was a nice touch to celebrate El Gueguense's fifth birthday. Here's hoping this firm favorite remains in production for many more years to come.