tags on every page of your site. --> Foundation Cigar Co. To Introduce The Tabernacle Line Extension | Cigar Aficionado

The Big Smoke Returns To Las Vegas—Tickets On Sale Now

Cigars

Foundation Cigar Co. To Introduce The Tabernacle Line Extension

Jul 3, 2018 | By Andrew Nagy
Foundation Cigar Co. To Introduce The Tabernacle Line Extension

Nick Melillo is adding a line extension to The Tabernacle, the original Tabernacle, Melillo says it uses a cover leaf that’s “one of the most difficult wrappers to cure.”

The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT No. 142, named after its finicky wrapper leaf that’s grown in the Connecticut River Valley, will be introduced at this month’s IPR trade show in four sizes: a 6 inch by 52 ring gauge Toro; 5 by 50 Robusto; 5 1/4 by 46 Corona; and 7 by 54 Double Corona. The cigars will be packed in boxes of 24 and sell from $9 to $13.

Havana Seed No. 142 is covered in its namesake wrapper, with binder from San Andrés, Mexico, and filler from Nicaragua’s Estelí and Jalapa regions along with Honduran tobacco grown in Jamastran. According to Melillo, the binder and filler are the same as the tobaccos found in The Tabernacle, only Havana Seed No. 142 uses less Jamastran leaf.

Havana Seed No. 142 comes in four sizes (from top): Robusto, Corona, Toro and Double Corona.
Havana Seed No. 142 comes in four sizes (from top): Robusto, Corona, Toro and Double Corona.
 

Melillo says that the Havana Seed No. 142 wrapper differs from the Connecticut broadleaf found on The Tabernacle in looks. While broadleaf grows large leaves that droop towards the ground, Havana Seed No.142 has a tendency to point up more to the sky. Compared to broadleaf, Havana Seed No. 142 shows “less vein structure and is a bit thinner,” Melillo said. 

He added that Havana Seed No. 142 is also difficult to cure. “It has a tremendous amount of oils in the leaf that have to be cured down. That window is small. If undercured, [Havana Seed #142] doesn’t burn well. Past the window, and you just completely destroy it.” 

According to Melillo, the Havana Seed No. 142 wrapper has been curing under the watchful eye of A.J. Fernandez for the past three years. Fernandez is also rolling Tabernacle Havana Seed No. 142 at his Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua in Estelí.

Melillo said that the new brand will begin shipping in the fall.

The Tabernacle

More in Cigars

See all
E.P. Carrillo Connecticut Shipping Now

E.P. Carrillo Connecticut Shipping Now

A new brand in the E.P. Carrillo Essence Series is on its way to retailers and it’s the mildest blend …

Jun 5, 2025
CAO Amazon Basin Gets Small New Size

CAO Amazon Basin Gets Small New Size

The dark CAO cigars with jungle tobacco are now available in petit coronas.

Jun 2, 2025
A.J. Fernandez And Eladio Diaz Collaborate For New Line

A.J. Fernandez And Eladio Diaz Collaborate For New Line

The new cigar is made in partnership with industry veteran Eladio Diaz, and shipped to retailers …

May 28, 2025
A Hoyo Made In The Shade

A Hoyo Made In The Shade

The newest Hoyo de Monterrey comes in a Honduran, shade-grown wrapper.

May 22, 2025
Plasencia’s Sky-Kissed Alma del Cielo Now Available

Plasencia’s Sky-Kissed Alma del Cielo Now Available

The Nicaraguan cigar with high-altitude tobacco is making its way to retailers.

May 16, 2025
Eladio Diaz 72 Aniversario Arriving Next Week

Eladio Diaz 72 Aniversario Arriving Next Week

A birthday blend with Dominican tobacco from the country’s northern and southern regions.

May 15, 2025
CIGAR AFICIONADO NEWSLETTERS
Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life.