Foundation The Upsetters Zola

Foundation The Upsetters Zola

The Zola represents Foundation Cigar Company’s boldest expression in The Upsetters collection, wrapping rare Jamaican cow tongue tobacco in a rich USA Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. This 6 x 52 toro format delivers Nicholas Melillo’s vision of Caribbean tobacco tradition at its fullest, combining ancient cultivation techniques with modern blending mastery to create an experience that transcends conventional maduro expectations through the signature Caribbean atmospheric herbal fusion process.

Key Features

• Generous 6 x 52 toro format provides extended smoking pleasure
• USA Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper adds depth and richness
• Rare Jamaican cow tongue tobacco creates exotic flavor complexity
• Caribbean atmospheric herbal fusion enhances natural sweetness and aromatics
• Medium to medium-full bodied strength offers satisfying intensity
• Approximately 90-minute smoking duration for contemplative sessions
• Box count of 20 cigars for extensive exploration

Detailed Description

The Zola showcases a lustrous Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper that displays the characteristic dark chocolate coloring and natural oils of properly fermented broadleaf tobacco. The construction exhibits Foundation’s meticulous standards with minimal veining, consistent firmness throughout, and a beautifully applied double cap that speaks to the expertise of Nicaragua’s finest torcedores. The Caribbean atmospheric herbal fusion process imparts an immediate sweetness to the cap that serves as an introduction to the complex journey ahead.

From first light, the Zola delivers an extraordinary tapestry of flavors beginning with dark chocolate, honey sweetness, and toasted bread notes that interweave with the distinctive floral characteristics of Jamaican tobacco. The profile evolves to include sweet tea, citrus brightness, orange zest, and tea tree oil nuances that create layers of complexity rarely found in traditional maduro-wrapped cigars. A gentle pepper presence emerges on the retrohale, balanced perfectly with hints of baking spices and honeysuckle sweetness.

The medium to medium-full bodied strength progression allows the exotic Jamaican tobacco to express itself fully while the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper provides a rich, earthy foundation. Throughout the smoking experience, notes of cedar, earth, and nuts complement the more ethereal herbal and floral elements. The construction performs flawlessly, maintaining an even burn line and producing generous volumes of aromatic smoke that carries subtle hints of the Caribbean atmospheric infusion without overwhelming the natural tobacco flavors.

Nicholas Melillo’s expertise shines through the Zola’s ability to balance traditional maduro characteristics with the exotic nature of Jamaican tobacco. The result is a cigar that appeals equally to adventurous smokers seeking new territories and traditionalists who appreciate the familiar comfort of Connecticut Broadleaf executed at the highest level. The Zola stands as the flagship of The Upsetters line, demonstrating how forgotten tobacco traditions can be revived and elevated for contemporary palates while maintaining respect for their cultural origins.

Technical Specifications

Summary

• Box Count: 20
• Region: Nicaragua
• Strength: Medium to Medium-Full
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
• Filler: Jamaica and Nicaragua

What makes the Zola unique among maduro cigars?

The Zola combines rare Jamaican cow tongue tobacco with Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper, creating an unprecedented flavor profile. The Caribbean atmospheric herbal fusion process adds layers of honeysuckle, sweet tea, and citrus notes rarely found in traditional maduros.

How long should I expect the Zola to smoke?

The 6 x 52 toro format typically provides approximately 90 minutes of smoking enjoyment. The generous size allows full flavor development and evolution throughout the extended smoking session.

Is the Zola stronger than other Upsetters cigars?

Yes, the Zola offers medium to medium-full body compared to the milder Small Axe and medium-bodied Django. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper adds richness and intensity while maintaining balance with the exotic Jamaican tobacco.

What primary flavors characterize the Zola?

Expect prominent dark chocolate, honey, and toasted bread notes complemented by sweet tea, citrus, orange zest, tea tree oil, honeysuckle, earth, cedar, and gentle pepper with baking spices throughout the smoke.

How does the maduro wrapper affect the blend?

The USA Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper provides rich, earthy depth and natural sweetness that creates a perfect foundation for the exotic Jamaican tobacco. It adds chocolate and toasted notes while maintaining the herbal fusion characteristics.

Does the Caribbean atmospheric herbal fusion make this heavily infused?

No, the process creates subtle enhancement rather than heavy infusion. The technique adds natural sweetness and aromatic complexity while allowing the premium tobacco flavors to remain prominent throughout the smoking experience.

What distinguishes the Zola from the Django and Small Axe?

The Zola features Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper versus the Django’s Nicaragua Sumatra and Small Axe’s Connecticut Shade. This creates a richer, fuller experience with more chocolate and earth notes while maintaining the signature Jamaican tobacco character.

What beverages pair well with the Zola?

The Zola pairs excellently with spiced rum, cognac, sweet tea, or botanical gin. Coffee enthusiasts might enjoy it with medium-roast coffee, while the sweetness also complements port wine or aged Caribbean rum.