Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian
Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian celebrates the grandeur of Victorian England through a collaboration between Foundation Cigar Company and Highclere Castle Cigars, the estate famously featured in “Downton Abbey.” This medium-bodied Nicaraguan masterpiece wraps select long-fillers in an Ecuadorian Habano leaf and employs a Brazilian Mata Fina binder, creating a sophisticated smoke that honors the opulence and artistry of a bygone era. Each draw delivers harmonious notes of cedar, coffee, and subtle spice, making this cigar equally suited for contemplative solo sessions or elegant social occasions.
Blend & Construction
- Smooth, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper provides robust yet refined character with aromatic intensity
- Brazilian Mata Fina binder contributes rich, dark notes and structural complexity
- Select Nicaraguan long-fillers create balanced layers of flavor throughout the smoke
- Medium-bodied strength offers versatility for any time of day
- Impeccable construction ensures even burn, consistent draw, and reliable performance
- Available in Robusto (5 x 50), Corona (5 1/2 x 46), and Toro (6 x 52) formats
- Box count: 20 cigars
Flavor Experience
The Victorian opens with cedar foundations that establish the blend’s refined character immediately. As the cigar progresses, coffee notes emerge alongside the cedar, creating a complementary pairing that defines the core profile. Subtle spice appears throughout, adding dimension without overwhelming the smoother elements. The Brazilian Mata Fina binder contributes darker undertones that enrich the experience, while the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper’s natural oils deliver aromatic complexity on both the palate and retrohale.
The medium body makes this cigar exceptionally versatile, suitable for morning coffee pairings, afternoon breaks, or evening relaxation. The balanced strength appeals to both newcomers exploring premium cigars and experienced aficionados seeking refined everyday smokes that don’t demand full concentration. Each vitola expresses the blend slightly differently, with the Corona offering concentrated flavors in traditional dimensions, the Robusto providing classic proportions, and the Toro extending the experience for leisurely sessions.
Highclere Castle Heritage
Highclere Castle stands as one of England’s most iconic estates, gaining international fame as the filming location for the beloved television series “Downton Abbey.” The castle’s Victorian-era architecture and aristocratic history inspired this cigar collaboration, translating the elegance and sophistication of that period into tobacco form. The partnership between Highclere Castle and Foundation Cigar Company represents a meeting of English heritage and modern cigar craftsmanship, creating a product that honors tradition while delivering contemporary smoking excellence.
Foundation Cigar Company Craftsmanship
Nicholas Melillo founded Foundation Cigar Company after years of experience in the premium cigar industry, establishing a reputation for meticulous blending and innovative tobacco sourcing. The company’s collaborations emphasize quality over quantity, with each release showcasing specific tobacco characteristics and cultural inspirations. The Victorian continues this philosophy, combining choice Nicaraguan tobaccos with Brazilian and Ecuadorian components to create complexity that rewards both casual enjoyment and analytical appreciation.
Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano |
|---|---|
| Binder | Brazilian Mata Fina |
| Filler | Nicaragua (long-filler) |
| Strength | Medium |
| Box Count | 20 |
| Vitolas | Robusto (5 x 50), Corona (5 1/2 x 46), Toro (6 x 52) |
Summary
- Box Count: 20
- Region: Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium
- Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Filler: Nicaraguan
What is unique about the Highclere Castle Victorian?
This cigar pays tribute to historic Highclere Castle and Victorian-era luxury through sophisticated blending and premium craftsmanship from Foundation Cigar Company.
What flavor notes can I expect?
Expect medium-bodied experience highlighted by cedar, coffee, and subtle spice, balanced for both new and veteran smokers.
What is the origin of the tobacco?
The filler is Nicaraguan long-leaf, the binder is Brazilian Mata Fina, and the wrapper features Ecuadorian Habano leaf.
What is the strength level of this cigar?
Medium-bodied, suitable for any time of day and appealing to a wide range of preferences.
Who makes the Highclere Castle Victorian?
It is crafted through collaboration between Foundation Cigar Company and Highclere Castle Cigars, leveraging Nicholas Melillo’s blending expertise.
Is the construction consistent?
Yes, the Victorian is renowned for excellent craftsmanship, ensuring even burn and smooth draw every time.
How many cigars are in a box?
Each box includes 20 cigars, making it ideal for both personal cellaring and sharing with fellow enthusiasts.
Is this cigar meant only for experienced smokers?
No, its balanced medium profile makes it an excellent choice for both aficionados and beginners exploring premium cigars with historical inspiration.
| Selection | Box – Robusto 5 x 50, 5 Pack – Robusto 5 x 50, Single – Robusto 5 x 50, Box – Corona 5 1/2 x 46, 5 Pack – Corona 5 1/2 x 46, Single – Corona 5 1/2 x 46, Box – Toro 6 x 52, 5 Pack – Toro 6 x 52, Single – Toro 6 x 52, Box – Petite Corona 5 x 42, 5 Pack – Petite Corona 5 x 42, Single – Petite Corona 5 x 42 |
|---|
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Ysofockup (verified owner) –
I got a fairly mild, but very pleasant, profile of light oak and mixed nuts with an undertone of espresso and possibly some earthiness. Good complexity and very enjoyable. Went very well with my morning coffee. I plan to order a few more of these to make sure there are always some in the humidor.
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Justin White (verified owner) –
This is a very fine cigar, typical of Nicks style. Dark coffee and light earthiness, a little salinity, pepper, and unsweetened coca with a little peppermint on the finish. The draw was a little tight on a few samples I smoked, but not overly so, and they have all burned well. This is not quite as good as either of the Tabernacles, and I would also put the Olmec line above this, but its enjoyable in its own right.
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Daniel O’Connell (verified owner) –
Between the Edwardian and the Victorian, I will state that the Victorian absolutely has more character – more body, more nuance, more flavour. Thankfully it doesn’t have too much more strength, however.
If this is how cigars ‘used to taste’, then that’s a neat bonus (speaking as a person who loves history), but it’s the very ‘pure’ tobacco taste that I particularly enjoyed. This cigar doesn’t throw a tonne of different flavours at you, but what it does have is very distinct – as in you can easily pick apart each one, saying ‘ah yes, this tastes very clearly of _____’. To me, I predominantly picked up very refined tobacco earthy-sweetness, a pleasant acidity (some others called this a type of mint and that may be a reasonable take), and a fairly typical (but clean) coffee bean taste.
Four out of five stars – I am trying to avoid ‘perfect’ ratings as few cigars come close to that, but if you want a highly refined cigar that is going to taste of extremely clean and classic flavour profiles, then I would say that this is one of the best out there and it is a very reasonable price as well.
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Alexander S (verified owner) –
Of the two Edwardian and Victorian blends, I prefer the Victorian. It had a tobacco sweetness to it with smoked Paprika flakes to it. The less dominant flavor notes were earth and coffee. I really enjoyed it.
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Alexander S (verified owner) –
Yes, this blend is certainly box worthy. Wise choice my friend.
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Daniel O’Connell (verified owner) –
Confident that we have similar palates at this point; glad I bought a box of these, now.
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albertoamezquitajr (verified owner) –
This one is definitely on the lighter side which I really like. Even though it’s light I feel like the flavors are pronounced. Can smoke these all day if you are craving something on the mellow side.
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mitchdlot (verified owner) –
Great stick. Foundation makes so many wonderful smokes and this one is often overlooked but really doesn’t disappoint.
Less bold than some of their newer offerings, a little nuanced which is nice and overall a solid enjoyable reliable smoke.
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Lou Cross (verified owner) –
The Highclere Castle Victorian offers notes of earth, cedar, and a hint of spearmint and red pepper flakes. The sweetness is not overpowering. The Habano wrapper is one of my favorites.
For those of you who retro-hale, you may experience an additional layer of red pepper flake.At the start of the second third of this cigar, the sweetness fades. With more light leather tones showing up. Entering the last third, the cedar and pepper dominated with a earthiness, like rich soil after a rain. There were also some Spanish cedar notes that lingered in the background. As the Highclere Castle Victorian started to fade at the end, the cigar finished crisp like a straight-cut to the nub. I would definitely smoke this cigar again, and I would make it a point to pair it with a bold red wine or a smoky Islay scotch.
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Thiago A Ferreira (verified owner) –
Tabaco ótimo e com preço aceitável pelo blend. Vale muito experimentar
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