Foundation Olmec Claro
Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company honors the ancient Olmec civilization with the Claro expression of his celebrated San Andrés series, showcasing the lighter side of Mexico’s most prized wrapper leaf. This medium-to-full-bodied creation emerges from AJ Fernandez’s Estelà factory, where meticulous craftsmanship meets three years of post-fermentation bale aging to deliver exceptional complexity. The Claro represents Melillo’s masterful approach to color sorting, selecting lower primings from the San Andrés plant that require shorter fermentation periods, preserving the wrapper’s natural oils while developing its distinctive caramel-colored appearance.
Key Features
- Mexican San Andrés Claro wrapper from lower primings with lighter fermentation
- Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Estelà and Jalapa valleys
- Three-year bale aging process after fermentation for enhanced complexity
- Distinct box-pressed construction with sharp, rectangular edges
- Medium-to-full body with notes of cedar, cinnamon, toasted bread, and baker’s chocolate
- 93-point rating from Cigar Aficionado (2022)
- Low-temperature fermentation preserves natural wrapper oils
The Olmec Claro distinguishes itself through its careful wrapper selection process, utilizing lower primings from the San Andrés plant that undergo a shorter fermentation cycle compared to its Maduro sibling. This deliberate approach results in a warm tan to caramel-colored wrapper that retains exceptional oil content and delivers a more nuanced flavor profile. The filler tobaccos, sourced from Nicaragua’s premier growing regions, spend three additional years in bales following fermentation, developing the depth and refinement that Foundation enthusiasts have come to expect.
Upon lighting, the Olmec Claro opens with distinctive notes of cinnamon and toasted bread, often described by reviewers as reminiscent of French dip sandwich seasonings. The profile evolves through cedar, coffee, baker’s chocolate, and occasional almond notes, with a characteristic earthiness that includes petrichor and leather undertones. The retrohale delivers white pepper and tea tannins, creating a drying sensation on the palate that many enthusiasts find refreshing rather than harsh.
The construction showcases the precision of AJ Fernandez’s factory operations, with a prominent box press that features distinctly sharp edges, demonstrating the roller’s skill. The burn remains consistent throughout, though the ash tends not to hold as long as some might expect. The draw delivers copious smoke production with each puff, maintaining excellent balance between the medium-plus strength and medium-to-full body throughout the smoking experience.
Specifications
| Wrapper | San Andrés Claro (Mexico) |
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Estelà and Jalapa) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Plus |
| Body | Medium to Full |
| Factory | Tabacalera AJ Fernandez, Nicaragua |
| Vitolas Available | Corona Gorda (5½ x 48), Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), Gordo (6 x 60), Double Corona (7 x 54) |
| Packaging | 12-count boxes |
| Construction | Box-pressed with sharp edges |
Summary
- Box Count: 12
- Region: Nicaragua (Production), Mexico (Wrapper Origin)
- Strength: Medium to Medium-Plus
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Wrapper: San Andrés Claro
- Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelà and Jalapa)
What distinguishes the Foundation Olmec Claro from the Maduro version?
The Claro uses lower primings from the San Andrés plant with shorter fermentation, resulting in a lighter, tan-colored wrapper. While both share the same tobacco varietals, the Claro offers more complexity with pronounced cedar, cinnamon, and bread notes, whereas the Maduro delivers richer chocolate and espresso flavors with fuller body.
Why does the Olmec Claro have such a distinctive box-pressed shape?
The sharp, rectangular box press serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The prominent edges showcase the roller’s skill while creating more surface area for better combustion. This construction technique helps concentrate flavors and provides a comfortable grip during smoking.
How does the three-year bale aging affect the Olmec Claro’s profile?
The extended aging process after fermentation allows the Nicaraguan fillers to develop exceptional smoothness and complexity. This aging mellows any harshness while enhancing the natural sweetness of the tobaccos, contributing to the balanced profile that transitions smoothly through each third.
Is the Olmec Claro appropriate for morning smoking?
Many enthusiasts find the Olmec Claro perfect for morning enjoyment with coffee, as its medium-plus strength and complex flavor profile complement breakfast beverages without overwhelming the palate. The cinnamon and toasted bread notes pair particularly well with coffee or espresso.
What makes the San Andrés Claro wrapper special in this blend?
The San Andrés Claro wrapper comes from volcanic soil rich in minerals, providing unique flavor characteristics. The low-temperature fermentation process preserves the natural oils while developing the warm tan color, creating a wrapper that delivers both visual appeal and flavor complexity without the intensity of darker variants.
How does the Olmec Claro compare to other Foundation offerings?
The Olmec Claro sits in the middle of Foundation’s strength spectrum, offering more intensity than Charter Oak but less than The Tabernacle. It showcases Nicholas Melillo’s expertise with San Andrés tobacco, providing a more nuanced profile than the fuller-bodied releases while maintaining Foundation’s signature construction quality.
What flavor progression occurs throughout the Olmec Claro?
The first third opens with cinnamon, toasted bread, and subtle sweetness. The second third introduces earthier elements including leather, petrichor, and increased cedar notes. The final third brings baker’s chocolate prominence with red pepper spice, oak, and sourdough bread notes, maintaining complexity through the finish.
Which vitola best showcases the Olmec Claro blend?
The Robusto (5 x 50) provides an ideal format for experiencing the blend’s full character in about 45 minutes, while the Toro offers extended enjoyment with better flavor transitions. The Corona Gorda concentrates the flavors for those seeking a more intense experience in shorter smoking time.








Stephan Sandoval (verified owner) –
Another very strong, heavy smoking cigar by Foundation. Definitely smoke after a meal and make sure you sit in your favorite chair next to the fireplace. A good smoke with friends as well. I also love the name and its homage to the Olmecs. Had to look read up on them in case friends ask what the name means.
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Daniel O’Connell (verified owner) –
A fairly impressive cigar – very well-made with excellent construction (though the ash doesn’t hold long), it definitely differs in aroma and taste from a ‘typical’ Nicaraguan cigar I find. I found the cigar fairly full bodied (by my standards), reaching the upper limits of what I would enjoy. Flavours are interesting – bitter (in the positive sense), spiced (cinnamon?), and with a note like tea tannins that is somewhat drying and herbal (though I’d not call the cigar a ‘dry’ cigar). I quite enjoyed these, and as I tried one effectively straight out of the box, I look forward to re-visiting it again in the near future. Four stars because while I think this is a very fine cigar and that it possesses some unique tastes, I found them all to lean toward the ‘earthy’ end of the spectrum with not much balance insofar as any sweeter notes.
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Ysofockup (verified owner) –
A loose easy draw produced a lot of smoke with a profile of leather, earth and dark chocolate. There’s also paper and yeast bread on the retrohale. Some minor burn issues such as a couple of re-lights and touch ups to the burn line, but not a major problem.
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madisonsm1984 (verified owner) –
Foundations Olmec, in my opinion is the best offering by the brand. I’ve smoked a good amount of the Claro and Maduro, and the Claro just hits different. Definitely box worthy and a great addition to any humidor
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beerinfonetwork (verified owner) –
The Olmec Claro is a medium/full-bodied cigar with a complex flavor profile. The first third is dominated by cinnamon and toasted bread, reminiscent of a French dip sandwich. The second third is earthier, with notes of petrichor (the smell of rain on dry soil) and black pepper. The final third is more bitter, with notes of cinnamon, oak, sourdough toast, and red pepper. The cigar is well-constructed and burns evenly, with a long finish.
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albertoamezquitajr (verified owner) –
I expected a lighter bodied cigar however, it was damn good. I will definitely try the maduro since this one was so tasty. You could smoke this one all day in the morning with coffee or for dessert really enjoyed it.
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mitchdlot (verified owner) –
It’s no secret that these are excellent. Smoke is bold and medium to full bodied throughout. Burn is perfect and if you like earthy flavours this one is a great example of them.
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Eric Jeffery (verified owner) –
It’s a great cigar, good flavors and great construction. All foundation cigars are good, you can’t go wrong. The Maduro version is just as good as the Claro.
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Lou Cross (verified owner) –
Foundation’s Olmec line has impressed me. I thoroughly enjoyed the Maduro variant but kept seeing reviews that the Claro blend was the best of the two. I saw there were a few more Claro available from Oxford so I picked up a 5’er. Notes of cedar wood, earth, red pepper flake, and an organic vegetal note in the first third. The finish offers some lingering mild baking spice and flavors similar to unsweetened ice tea. The second third is mixture of the wood and leather with the tea notes still there. The soft box press is constructed very well, the ash holding on solidly. The smoke bellows and the retrohale offers white pepper tones. The last third has roasted mixed nuts and earthY notes. I was sipping water a lot with this one, very dry on the palate. A very enjoyable smoke, but I think I still like the Maduro even more!
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Justin White (verified owner) –
This cigar is a masterpiece. Loved it.
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Alexander S (verified owner) –
Foundation Olmec Claro, It started off a little sweeter than the Olmec Maduro. The Claro ended up being much better than the Maduro. It had a complexity of bakers chocolate throughout it and a mellow woodiness and a slight saltiness finish. Definitely box worthy. Will be getting a box of these in the near future. This cigar is quintessential of Foundation brand!
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davelagerstedt (verified owner) –
Coffee, dark chocolate, and baking spice. This was a very good cigar. Wish I got more of the Claro
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kurt.pullman (verified owner) –
Love an MSA wrapper and this new one from Foundation doesn’t disappoint!
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