Foundation Cigars El Gueguense was voted one of the Top 25 cigars of 2016 by Cigar Aficionado. It’s also easily within our top 5 list of unpronounceable names. Here’s how it’s done, though:
El Way-when-say.
There! That’s not so bad!
The cigar itself is superb. It’s a 92-rated Nicaraguan puro with a Corojo ’99 binder and a blend of Corojo and Criollo long-fillers. It’s cedar aged, and hand rolled at the Tabacos Valle de Jalapa factory (TABSA) in Nicaragua. The smoke is full bodied, delivering flavors of cedar, spice, and vanilla bean sweetness - pretty fine for the company’s first blend ever.
It’s also quite fitting given the origin of the name. In Nicaragua, El Gueguense is an one of Nicaragua’s first recorded plays and one of the oldest indigenous dramatic works of the Americas. “The Wise Man,” as it’s called in English, was created by an unknown author in the 16th century. It was passed down orally and finally published in 1942. It’s a satirical drama that includes music and dance, and is still performed annually during the feast of San Sebastián in Diriamba, Nicaragua.
The play involves gain through deception, and has become linked as a reference to corrupt politicians, unaccountable public institutions, and “unpredictable” election returns. Essentially, it involves climbing the social ladder through fraud, which is contrary to the values of a nation of honest hard workers.
There’s no fraud here – this is a fine cigar that never disappoints.
Please browse our selection of Foundation El Gueguense cigars at your leisure.
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