According the Metapa portion of the Foundation Cigar Company website, Rubén Darío is considered one of the greatest poets in the Spanish language, & was born in the city of Metapa, Nicaragua, on January 18, 1867. Darío is known for his modernist poetry, which revolutionized the Spanish language and influenced generations of poets to come. Rubén Darío died in 1916 and is known as one of Nicaragua’s most significant national heroes.
“Metapa” is derived from the Nahuatl word “metl” which means” place of magueys (a type of agave plant). The maguey plant has significant cultural & religious symbolism in Central American mythology and art and was used often in Dario’s poems. Metapa is now known as Ciudad Darío in his honor.
Cigar Review: Metapa Maduro by Foundation Cigar Company
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua
Debut: October 2023
Box Count: 10
The Cigar: The band of Metapa Maduro showcases and image of the poet Ruban Dario. It has an old feel to it and seems like something that might have adorn a cigar decades ago if not for the modern printing. The dark Ecuador Maduro wrapper doesn’t have a a flaw to it. Its’ loaded with oils, minimal veins, perfect coloring. This box pressed cigar also features a beautiful pigtail cap and a well packed foot.
The Taste: The cold draw has some subtle leather notes in addition to coffee and dark chocolate. The aroma from the foot sees the aforementioned dark chocolate and raisins. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is a nice toasted almond and leather component to start things off.
As we smoke the first third notes of dark chocolate and espresso dominant the palate with nuances of toasted almonds lingering in the background. As we conclude the first third there is a developing leather component on the finish. Meanwhile the retrohale has a subtle pepper and mocha.
The second third sees leather become the dominant flavor profile as mocha begins to emerge becoming the focal point of the cigar at the halfway point. The retrohale sees espresso notes become dominant with pepper being an afterthought. The finish of the cigar is somewhat short but enjoyable.
The final third sees leather and espresso notes take turns at being the prevailing flavor component. There is some mocha sweetness in the background that keeps things interesting and the short finish is ideal if you plan to smoke another cigar in a short time frame
Conclusion: The Metapa Maduro from Foundation Cigar Company is enjoyable but it feels like to me it is missing some of the complexity. One of the things I like from the Nick Melillo owned company is the depth of flavors his cigars have to offer that seems to be missing in this smoke. It’s not a bad cigar by any stretch of the imagination. But if I am going to reach for one of his box pressed offerings it will be an Olmec or Menelik. The Metapa is also available in a claro wrapper.
Price: $15.50 (Before any local or state taxes)
