Foundation Charter Oak Habano Torpedo
Posted on February 08 2021
Vitola: 6x52 Torpedo | Smoking Time: 70 min | Cigars Smoked: 4 | Body: Mild | MSRP: $7
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan
Nicholas Melillo founded Foundation Cigars after years procuring tobacco worldwide. The Charter Oak line earned #1 Best Buy from Cigar Aficionado and is offered in Connecticut Shade, Broadleaf, and this Ecuadorian Habano.
Visual Inspection: Slightly toothy wrapper with faint veins and a touch of oil. Great construction. Sweet aroma — black cherry with dry hay and vanilla.
Cold Draw: Black cherry up front, met with a bitter herb note. Exactly what I was hoping for.
First Third: Light hazelnut, vanilla sweetness, black cherry lingering and accentuated on retrohale. Habano characteristics build — light pepper, earth, roasted nuts, and baking spices.
Second Third: Baker's chocolate appears, met with faint caramel, while maintaining pepper and roasted notes. Bitter lettuce, spice, and cinnamon round out this third.
Final Third: Earth, black pepper, dry wood, and smooth roasted nut with a sweet retrohale. Consistent and straightforward — not exceptionally complex but reliably enjoyable.
Final Thoughts: I absolutely love the Charter Oak line. At $7 you are not compromising on quality. Extremely consistent — I frequently toss one into my daily rotation. Works for new smokers and seasoned veterans alike.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
Is the Foundation Charter Oak good value?
Exceptional value. At $7 with consistent construction and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, the Charter Oak delivers quality that rivals cigars twice the price. The reviewer smokes it frequently and recommends it without hesitation.
Who founded Foundation Cigars?
Nicholas Melillo founded Foundation Cigars in 2015 after years of experience sourcing and working with tobacco across the world. His relationships with growers are the foundation of the brand’s quality — the Charter Oak being a prime example.
How does the Charter Oak Habano compare to the Charter Oak Connecticut?
The Habano version delivers more pepper and earthiness compared to the creamier, milder Connecticut variant. Both are mild-to-medium body, but the Habano adds spicy complexity that gives it a more interesting profile for the same price.