Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)
At the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, Foundation Cigar Company launched Metapa. This is a two-blend line that pays homage to renowned Nicaragua poet Rubén Darío. This is the first widespread release by Foundation to feature a Sumatra wrapper.
Metapa is the birthplace in Nicaragua of Darío. Today Metapa is known as Ciudad Dario. The name “Metapa” is derived from the Nahuatl word “metl,” which means “place of magueys (a type of agave plant).” The maguey plant has significant cultural and religious symbolism in Central American mythology and art. This was used often in Dario’s poems.
“Metapa is a tribute to the poetic soul of Nicaragua,” said Nicholas Melillo, founder, and Master Blender of Foundation Cigar Company. “The image of Rubén Darío is iconic; he is considered one of the greatest poets in the Spanish language. I have always wanted to make a brand in his honor, and I have always wanted to introduce a blend around Sumatra Ecuador wrapper. Metapa is the result.”
Like 2022’s Olmec release, Metapa is being released in a Claro and Maduro Ecuadorian Sumatra. The remainder of the blend features a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigar is available in the same four sizes for both the Claro and Maduro blends: Corona Gorda (SRP $14.50/cigar), Robusto (SRP $15.50/cigar), Toro (SRP $16.50/cigar), and Double Corona (SRP $18.00). AJ Fernandez is handling production.
This blend is unique and unlike anything I have ever created,” says Melillo. “The CT Broadleaf binder adds a bit of sweetness, Nicaragua filler the body and strength, and the wrapper is the icing on the cake.”
Blend and Origin
Wrapper: Claro Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí, Jalapa)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: AJ Fernandez (specific factory not disclosed)
Vitolas Offered
Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 x 48
Robusto: 5 x 50 REVIEWED TODAY
Toro: 6 x 52
Double Corona: 7 x 54
The cigar is medium brown and well made. It has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were sweet peach, brown sugar, cinnamon, nougat, and a little earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 8. Nice start with the sweet peach and black pepper.
At the first third (24 minutes) the peach and pepper notes are very nice. The cigar is close to medium to full bodied. The finish is peach and brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The peach, brown sugar, and cinnamon notes are coming through nicely. The nougat notes are still there in the mix. The black coffee is the lesser of the flavors at this point. I really like the cigar right now. I rated the first third 95.
As I moved through the second third (52 minutes) the earthiness in the black coffee rose. The black coffee is about the same amount. The sweet notes are decreased due to the elevated earthiness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is light peach with earthiness and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 93.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 11 minutes. The earthiness pulled back a little and the sweet notes improved. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The black pepper has been very good throughout this cigar. I rated the final third 94 with the modest improvement. This is a good cigar and just a tick behind the maduro version. Both are available at smallbatchcigar.com and well worth a try. Use code tinytim for 10% off.
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