Cigar Geeks - Foundation Cigar Co. The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Toro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Foundation Cigar Co. The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Toro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: tuck0411

84
Cigar Geeks Rating

As the name of this cigar would suggest, the wrapper is Havana Seed CT #142, a variation of a Cuban-seed tobacco grown in Connecticut. Much of the rest of the line is shared with the original Tabernacle: the same filler components and the same four sizes. That means a Mexican San Andrés binder over a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers, though Nicholas Melillo has said there is less Honduran tobacco than the original line.

Foundation Cigar Co. The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Toro

Brand:: Foundation Cigar Co.
Name:: The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142 Toro
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Honduras
Nicaragua
Binder:: Mexico
Wrapper:: Connecticut
Habano
Color:: Oscuro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Toro
Average Member Purchase Price:: $9.13
Average Member Rating:: (1 Review(s))
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/foundation-ships-tabernacle-havana-seed-ct-142/286254/

This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

A couple minor veins, an oily sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots. The cap was well-applied and took a double V-cut well with no fraying of the wrapper. Pre-light aroma gave a whiff of rich tobacco.

Lighting and Burn: 11 Points of 15 Possible

The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume on the low side of optimal, and a wavy burn to start. The burn showed signs of getting lopsided right out of the gate, so I quickly gave it a touch-up after which it evened out. The burn continued a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the grey ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a small cone. More of the same in the 2nd third with more self-correcting waviness which I attempted to assist with frequent turning and puffing. I dumped the last 2 1/2" as the nicotine hit was affecting my head to an uncomfortable degree. Draw and smoke output never quite reached optimal but were completely adequate throughout.

Construction: 25 Points of 30 Possible

The dark brown wrapper was smooth with only a couple minor veins, the cap was well applied, and the draw was moderately easy to start with and improved just slightly as the smoke progressed. There was a pronounced difference in ash color with the wrapper and binder being white and the filler being a dark grey.

Flavor and Aroma: 39 Points of 45 Possible

The light gave a medium profile with a spicy retro and notes of wood and spice and a hint of coffee that gradually ramped up as the smoke progressed. The spice in the nose faded quickly with the other flavors mellowing to a smooth, satisfying richness that stayed consistent until the last third when it started to fade into char. Strength was medium at first, then built toward full by the last third.

Summary

This was a pretty nice smoke for the first two thirds, but the strength was a bit over-powering in the 2nd half which detracted from enjoyment. That and the maintenance required to keep the burn on track bring the score down a bit, but I'd like to try this one again after it's had more time to rest. This one was a bit damp, I think, and that probably affected the burn. I'm curious about the wrapper, which is advertised as being a Connecticut, but it was much darker than your typical Conny, and I've seen no mention of it being a broadleaf, so I'm not sure what exactly I was smoking...

Humidor time: 18 days
Humidimeter reading: Head - 73, foot - 66
Burn time: 1:30