Foundation Metapa Begins Shipping

Nick Melillo and Foundation Cigar Company have announced they have begun shipping the much anticipated Metapa which is an entirely new line from the company.

The line is dubbed Metapa, which was inspired by Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and his place of birth within the country. Rubén Darío originated from Metapa (now known as Ciudad Darío, in his honor), which is derived from the Nahuatl word metl, meaning place of magueys (a type of agave plant). Like Foundation’s first release—El Güegüense—Metapa is a celebration of Nicaraguan heritage and craftsmanship.

“Metapa is a tribute to the poetic soul of Nicaragua,” said Nicholas Melillo, founder and Master Blender of Foundation Cigar Company. “The image of Rubén Darío is iconic; he is considered one of the greatest poets in the Spanish language. I have always wanted to make a brand in his honor, and I have always wanted to introduce a blend around Sumatra Ecuador wrapper. Metapa is the result.”

Aside from the company’s flavored The Upsetters line, Metapa marks Foundation’s first Sumatra-wrapped blends. Similar to last year’s Olmec line, there will be two variations of the same core blend: Metapa Maduro and Metapa Claro. Each blend features tobaccos from Nicaragua’s Estelí and Jalapa growing regions within the filler, being bound in Connecticut Broadleaf. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra on each version, varying in shade to account for the two cigars.

“This blend is unique and unlike anything I have ever created,” says Melillo. “The CT Broadleaf binder adds a bit of sweetness, Nicaragua filler the body and strength, and the wrapper is the icing on the cake.”

The Foundation Metapa was debuted at this past summer’s PCA trade show in Las Vegas. Four soft-pressed sizes of each variety have been rolled at A.J. Fernández’s factory in Estelí, with prices ranging from $14.50 to $18 per cigar (MSRP).