Foundation 10-Year Anniversary Limited Edition

Foundation 10 Year Anniversary Limited Edition

The Foundation 10 Year Aniversario represents a pinnacle moment in Nicholas Melillo’s storied career, commemorating a decade of passionate craftsmanship with a Salomon that exemplifies everything Foundation Cigar Company stands for. This extraordinary 7 x 58 Perfecto showcases a rare hybrid wrapper cultivated on the very Connecticut River Valley farm that houses Foundation’s corporate offices, creating an intimate connection between tobacco, terroir, and tradition.

Key Features

• Ultra-limited production of 2,000 ten-count boxes and 750 twenty-count collector editions
• Rare Connecticut hybrid wrapper combining Broadleaf and Havana Seed genetics
• Handcrafted at AJ Fernandez’s acclaimed Nicaraguan factory
• Complex tri-region Nicaraguan filler blend from Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega
• Brazilian Mata Fina binder adding richness and complexity
• Artwork featuring St. George slaying the dragon symbolizing resilience
• Grown on Foundation’s own Connecticut River Valley tobacco farm

Nicholas Melillo’s decade-long journey from Drew Estate’s celebrated blender to founding his own company finds its culmination in this remarkable Salomon. The hybrid wrapper leaf represents years of agricultural innovation in Connecticut tobacco cultivation, combining the robust character of authentic Broadleaf with the refined complexity of Havana Seed. This special tobacco, grown on Foundation’s own farm, creates a direct link between the company’s Connecticut heritage and its Nicaraguan production expertise.

The construction showcases AJ Fernandez’s mastery of complex figurado shapes, with each Salomon requiring exceptional skill to roll. The dramatic taper from tip to shoulder challenges even veteran torcedores, while the 58 ring gauge at its widest point provides ample room for the blend’s complexity to unfold. The Brazilian Mata Fina binder, sourced from Brazil’s renowned tobacco regions, acts as a perfect intermediary between the Connecticut wrapper and the robust Nicaraguan core.

The filler composition reads like a tour of Nicaragua’s premier growing regions. Estelí contributes power and earth, Jalapa brings natural sweetness and aroma, while Condega adds balance and combustion qualities. These tobaccos, all cultivated on AJ Fernandez’s farms, have been selected specifically for their age and character, creating a blend that evolves dramatically through its smoking progression.

The biblical imagery of St. George conquering the dragon adorning each box speaks to Melillo’s personal journey through the cigar industry. Having weathered countless challenges while building Foundation into a respected premium brand, this symbolism reflects both triumph over adversity and the warrior spirit required to succeed in today’s competitive market. Each box becomes a collector’s piece, with the artwork capturing the same attention to detail found in the cigars themselves.

Technical Specifications

Summary

• Box Count: 10 or 20
• Region: Nicaragua
• Strength: Medium-Full
• Binder: Brazil (Mata Fina)
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf/Havana Seed Hybrid
• Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí, Jalapa, Condega)

What makes the Foundation 10 Year Anniversary special?

This limited edition features a unique hybrid wrapper grown on Foundation’s own Connecticut River Valley farm, combining Broadleaf and Havana Seed genetics. The cigar represents Nicholas Melillo’s decade-long journey in the premium cigar industry.

Who produces the Foundation 10 Year Anniversary?

AJ Fernandez crafts these cigars at his acclaimed Nicaraguan factory, using tobaccos from his own farms in Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega combined with the special Connecticut hybrid wrapper.

What can I expect from the flavor profile?

Expect waves of creamy cedar, dark chocolate, and espresso with earthy undertones. The profile evolves through notes of baking spice, molasses sweetness, and aged tobacco, with a long, complex finish.

Why is production so limited?

Only 2,000 ten-count boxes and 750 twenty-count collector editions were produced. The special hybrid wrapper tobacco and complex Salomon shape require exceptional skill and resources, limiting production capacity.

What does the St. George artwork represent?

The biblical image of St. George slaying the dragon symbolizes resilience and triumph over adversity, reflecting Nicholas Melillo’s personal journey overcoming challenges while building Foundation Cigar Company.

How does this compare to other Foundation releases?

The 10 Year Anniversary stands apart with its unique hybrid wrapper and Salomon format. While maintaining Foundation’s signature balance and complexity, it offers increased richness and a more evolved profile than regular production lines.

When will these cigars be available?

Following the debut at PCA 2025 in April, national shipping began in September 2025. Due to limited production, availability varies by retailer with some inventory being released incrementally.

What is the ideal way to smoke this Salomon?

The tapered format requires patience and careful lighting. Start with a small cut at the tip, gradually opening as needed. The shape naturally concentrates flavors at the beginning, then opens dramatically through the wider sections.