February 21, 2018 | Foundation Cigar founder interviewed by Cigar Aficionado! READ ARTICLE HERE

December 30, 2016 | The Tabernacle named one of Cigar Noise’s Top 10 Cigars of 2016 WATCH VIDEO HERE

September 2, 2016 | “Firm Foundation” – The Tobbaconist features Nick Melillo and Foundation Cigar Company READ ARTICLE HERE

August 2, 2016 | Booth Tour with Halfwheel WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

August 2, 2016 | Show Interview with Cigar Federation WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

August 2, 2016 | Show Interview with Blind Man’s Puff WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

July 12, 2016 | Cigar Aficionado covers new Foundation brand “The Tabernacle” READ THE ARTICLE HERE

July 8, 2016 | Rick Ardito to Join Foundation Cigar Company as Executive Brand Manager for THE UPSETTERS READ THE PRESS RELEASE

July 5, 2016 | Miami Cigar Co. to Distribute the Highly Anticipated UPSETTERS brand by Foundation Cigar Co. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

May 9, 2016 | Foundation Cigar Company to Launch THE UPSETTERS with Jamaican Tobacco READ THE PRESS RELEASE

April 1, 2016 | Nick Melillo retuns to Cigar Dojo WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Spring 2016 | Cigar & Leisure Magazine Features Foundation Cigar Company  READ ARTICLE HERE

Spring 2016 | Discovering Nicaragua travel article by Foundation Cigar Company’s Nicholas Melillo  READ ARTICLE HERE

Foundation Cigar Co happy to announce 91 Rating by Cigar Aficionado – April 2016 Edition

January 12, 2016 | Halfwheel awards Foundation “New Company of the YEAR”  READ ARTICLE HERE

January 11, 2016 | El Güegüense wins #1 in 2015 Consensus  READ ARTICLE HERE

January 11, 2016 | Blind Man’s Puff names “El Güegüense” #1 in Top 25 of 2015  READ ARTICLE HERE

January 11, 2016 | Cigar Lover Magazine does 5-page spread on Foundation Cigar Company Debut Brand  SEE PAGES 19-24 HERE

January 11, 2016 | Halfwheel El Güegüense Review  READ REVIEW HERE

January 10, 2016 | Cigar Jefi awards El Güegüense #1 in their Top 10 Cigars of 2015  READ ARTICLE HERE

January 5, 2016 | El Güegüense Makes Top 25 Cigars of 2015  READ ARTICLE HERE

NOVEMBER 3, 2015 | El Güegüense Corona Gorda Cigar Review  SEE THE VIDEO HERE

OCTOBER 12, 2015 | Cigar Dojo – Review of El Güegüense

OCTOBER 10, 2015 | Smoking Cigars with The Wise Man – The Cigar Authority SEE THE VIDEO HERE

AUGUST 27, 2015 | Stogie Geeks Interview Nick Melillo  SEE THE VIDEO HERE

AUGUST 6, 2015 | Cigar Federation – Cigar Chat 08/06/15  SEE THE VIDEO HERE

JULY 29, 2015 | The Cigar Authority – Pre-Release Review of “El Güegüense” SEE THE REVIEW HERE

JULY 27, 2015 | Cigar Federation – El Güegüense Pre-Release Group Review SEE THE REVIEW HERE

JULY 9, 2015 | Foundation Cigar Company to Launch El Güegüense as Debut Brand SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

JULY 9, 2015 | CIGAR AFICIONADO INSIDER BRAND DEBUT PRESS RELEASE SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

JUNE 10, 2015 | FOUNDATION CIGAR COMPANY ADDS DAVID SATHER AS VICE PRESIDENT SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

JUNE 4, 2015 | FOUNDATION MENTIONED IN CIGAR AFICIONADO! SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

JUNE 2, 2015 | FOUNDATION MENTIONED ON HALFWHEEL.COM! SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

JUNE 2, 2015 | FOUNDATION MENTIONED IN CIGAR AFICIONADO INSIDER! SEE THE ARTICLE HERE

– PRESS RELEASE – Melillo to Launch Foundation Cigar Company – Southbury, CT – June 2, 2015

Nicholas Melillo, also known as, “Master Blender Nick R Agua,” has formed Foundation Cigar Company of which he will be the president and CEO, as well as in charge of tobaccos and blending. The former vice president and director of tobacco and production at Drew Estate Cigar Company has lived in Esteli, Nicaragua, for the past twelve years and has created many top premium cigars that are on the market today.

Melillo has blended ultra-premium cigars, such as Liga Priva #9, T52, Dirty Rat, Velvet Rat, Flying Pig, Ferral Pig, Nica Rustica, Java, Kahlua, and many others. “The time has come for me to step out from behind the curtain,” Melillo said. Nick will spend his time between Nicaragua and the United States ensuring quality in Nicaragua and promoting the cigars in America.

“It will be a challenge,” said Melillo, thirty-seven, of his splitting time between the two countries.

“On one hand, as president of the company and maker of the cigars, I will be out on the road and meeting people, which is what I have looked forward to for some time. On the other hand, I have to be in Nicaragua on the floor of the factory, which has been my home and I have spent the majority of my time for the past twelve years.”

Foundation Cigar Company will be based in Connecticut, while the production will be in Nicaragua.

Melillo adds, “I will be making my cigars initially at Tobaccos Valle de Jalapa (TABSA) in Nicaragua.  I have known and been purchasing tobacco from Eduardo Fernandez and his team since 2003.  It’s great to work with guys who really know their tobacco. They have welcomed me in with open arms and have given me access to their special cuartos anejamiento or, ‘aging rooms.’ I have personally selected some very special vintage tobaccos which possess some amazing flavors and complex characteristics. The variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos they have in the warehouse is incredible and some of the blends I have worked up are, well, let’s just say we are all very excited about them. The tough part in working up a few nice blends is deciding which cigar you like the best.”

Melillo is busy in Nicaragua and the States getting ready for the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Annual Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans in July where he plans to release his initial brand. He is also setting up the company headquarters in Connecticut near Nicholas’s hometown roots.

“I am assembling my team in the Connecticut River Valley, home to some of the finest and best broadleaf tobacco in the world. I am from Connecticut, I started smoking cigars with my grandfather here, so to incorporate some of that into what we do is very important for me,” Melillo said.

“More information will be coming soon on the brands under Foundation Cigar Company.  I will say that the first brand will really be a reflection of my love for Nicaragua and its culture. Right now we are getting everything ready for the IPCPR where everyone will see the cigar for the first time.”

Contact Foundation Cigar Company for more information, and visit them in New Orleans at the IPCPR show.

Contact:

Foundation Cigar Company

888.507.1098

203-883-1799

www.foundationcigarcompany.com • info@foundationcigarcompany.com

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: Foundation Cigar Company and Nick R Agua

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE