Only a few short months after first shipping Metapa cigars to retailers, Foundation Cigar Co. has rebranded the cigars as AKSUM.
Metapa was the company’s headlining release for 2023 (going on the win Cigar Dojo’s No. 3 Cigar of the Year), following a similar branding structure as 2022’s Olmec line, though being themed around Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and his place of Metapa, Nicaragua.
With the change, the cigars now line up closer to Foundation’s The Tabernacle and Menelik series, as Aksum is considered to be the resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. As such, Rubén Darío’s portrait on the Metapa band has been replaced with that of Ras Makonnen, father of Haile Selassie (who is pictured on The Tabernacle band).
Nicholas Melillo, Founder of Foundation Cigars, expressed his excitement about the rebranding: “AKSUM represents a significant chapter in our journey, paying homage to the sacred history associated with the Ark of the Covenant. The blend remains the same as Metapa & testament to our unwavering dedication to providing a unique and memorable smoking experience.”
Foundation AKSUM will be available in the same blend (including Maduro and Claro variations), sizes, price points, and overall packaging, with the only changes being the imagery on the bands and boxes. The cigars will begin shipping to retailers later this week, and will be on display at Foundation’s booth during PCA 2024 in March.
Foundation did not mention the reasoning behind the abrupt rebranding in a press release by the company.
Click images below for full resolution
Foundation AKSUM Breakdown
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí | Jalapa)
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernández Cigars de Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
Production: Regular Production
Packaging: 10-ct boxes
Vitolas: 4
Price: $14.50–$18.00 (MSRP)
Release: February 2024
Corona Gorda: 5½” x 48 | $14.50 ($145.00/box)
Robusto: 5? x 50 | $15.50 ($155.00/box)
Toro: 6? x 52 | $16.50 ($165.00/box)
Double Corona: 7? x 54 | $18.00 ($180.00/box)
The post Foundation Metapa Rebranded as AKSUM appeared first on Cigar Dojo.