Foundation Olmec Claro Box Pressed Toro

It is somewhat common to see San Andres Negro, or as we hear it said, Mexican San Andrea Maduro. Many cigars on the market use this dark, sweet, spicey wrapper. It blends well, it’s affordable and it seems to be a growing trend. However, as I understand it, during the boom of the 90s, San Andres was not a leaf held in high regard. Much like Sumatra, Mexican San Andres, we seen as a lesser leaf, perhaps even a throwaway. Contrary to today, this tobacco is used by some of the highest-regarded companies and in some of the most popular blends. But it doesn’t stop at the Maduro version; Nick Mellilo of Foundation Cigar Company has built an entire core line around this tobacco using the Maduro version and a Natural, or as he calls it, Claro.

I have written about the Olmec Maduro, but its counterpart, the Olmec Claro, deserves the spotlight. Using the same blend as the Maduro, the Olmec Claro is wrapped in a Natural wrapper, a leaf that is not processed or fermented to be as dark. According to Nick, “The Heart Land of the Olmecs is the tropical lowlands of modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco, and San Andrés Tuxtla. Today, this is the same region that grows some of the finest San Andrès Negro wrapper tobacco. This seed variety is considered one of the oldest seed varieties in the world.” The flavor of the two cigars have similarities but are also vastly different.

In terms of experience, the Olmec Claro, much like the Maduro in that it is full flavored, full bodied, medium plus strength. On light up, I notice a definite black pepper through the retro. There is a coffee bean flavor mixed with faint caramel and a blast of wood. Notes of toasted sourdough, earth, light creaminess, and sweetness follow. I would go with a bold drink to pair this with, perhaps Knob Creek 12 or Aultmore 12 Single Malt. If you want to try to tame it down and add sweetness to your palate, I think a White Russian would work, or maybe a sweet tea. I find the Olmec Claro to be complex and heavy hitting. If you don’t mind a blast of pepper at the start, or if you are like me and enjoy it, this is a cigar you shouldn’t pass up. While that pepper subsides, it’s a much-appreciated layer of flavor on this extraordinary blend.