Aksum Maduro Staff Review
Last year, Nick Melillo, owner of Foundation Cigars, rebranded his Metapa line to Aksum, which comes in a Claro and a Maduro wrapper. I recently reviewed the Claro, and today I’m firing up an Aksum Maduro in a 5-by-50 Robusto for comparison. Melillo works with a handful of cigarmakers to blend and produce Foundation. The Aksum line hails from the AJ Fernandez factory in Nicaragua. AJ Fernandez produces many top-rated cigars under contract for others, in addition to his own brand. Foundation cigars reflect AJ’s high standards for consistency and quality.
Aksum cigars are named for the Kingdom of Aksum, an ancient empire in modern-day Ethiopia where the Ark of the Covenant is kept, according to legend. Melillo, a history buff, often creates cigars around cultural and biblical themes. What’s interesting regarding Aksum cigars are the wrappers Melillo has chosen for the Claro and the Maduro blends. Both are Ecuador Sumatra wrappers. The Claro is a lighter shade, while the Maduro is dark and oily.
Previously, I enjoyed the spicy and buttery complexity of Aksum Claro when I smoked it. Aksum Maduro features a dark-chocolate-hued wrapper, a firm box-pressed format, and a tight pigtail cap on the head. Under the wrapper is a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and well-aged Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos. After choosing an appealing Robusto from a fresh box of Aksum Maduro, bittersweet notes of wood, leather, espresso, and molasses jump out in the cold draw when I cut the cap and taste the cigar before lighting it.
After toasting the foot, intense notes of cedar, pepper, and leather come into focus, followed by an aftertaste of chocolate and chili flakes when I allow each draw to settle on my palate. Tasting notes of cedar take center stage as Aksum Maduro progresses, and spices dominate my nasal cavity when I retrohale the smoke. Over the course of twenty-five minutes, the Robusto burns clean and leaves a firm, white ash, indicating an expert cigar roller assembled it.
As I head into the second half of the cigar, tasting notes of wood, earth, and leather reign supreme. Aksum Maduro is less spicy than it was in the beginning. I’m happy to enjoy more balance as I remove the band and slowly indulge in the last third. The Robusto needs a few touch-ups with my torch lighter thanks to a crooked burn during the final stretch. Luckily, I’m able to remedy the condition quickly.
My only complaint is that Aksum Maduro introduces a metallic component, which lingers on my tongue towards the end. A mineral or metallic taste can indicate the tobacco could stand a longer fermentation period, but I’ll stop short of making that assumption. The Robusto offers an open and accessible draw from beginning to end. I intenionally pause a little longer in between puffs, which helps counter the mineral taste of the nub.
Aksum Maduro finishes just past fifty-five minutes in a Robusto. I’m comfortable rating this cigar a solid 87 points. I liked the Aksu Claro a touch more, but both blends deserve your attention within the burgeoning Foundation portfolio. It’s refreshing to taste the difference between a Natural wrapper versus a Maduro with an Ecuador Sumatra varietal. It’s a totally unique experience versus a traditional Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf comparison. Add Aksum Claro and Aksum Maduro cigars to your next purchase and taste the difference yourself.
