Foundation Cigars Aksum formerly Metapa Claro

Foundation Cigar Co.'s Aksum, initially released as <em>Metapa</em> in tribute to Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, quickly pivoted to align with the brand's Biblically inspired lines such as The Tabernacle and Menelik. This rebranding enhances the cigar's narrative, tying it to Ethiopia's Aksum, believed to be the Ark of the Covenant's resting place, and infusing it with deep historical resonance.

Nicholas Melillo, Foundation's founder, views Aksum as a tribute to the sacred history of the Ark of the Covenant, ensuring the blend's integrity remains untouched. This commitment to quality and storytelling is evident in the updated imagery and packaging, ready to grace humidors and enrich the smoking experience with a blend of tradition and innovation.

The Aksum cigar, comprising Maduro and Claro variations, maintains the original Metapa blend and soft-pressed sizes, meticulously crafted at the AJ Fernández factory in Nicaragua. The Aksum Claro variant, with its natural Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, offers a rich medium-plus profile of roasted chestnuts, bright coffee bean, clean cedar, and touches of cinnamon sweetness through the retrohale.