General Cigar Foundry Review

[poriggity]

As many cigar aficionados know, the annual IPCPR trade show just recently took place. This is a show for manufacturers of cigars and cigar related products to reveal new products to retailers. General Cigar has a few new releases this year, including a new cigar callled “Foundry”. Here is a press release from General Cigar about Foundry:

General Cigar is proud to introduce FOUNDRY, a new boutique collection created to amplify the artistry and romanticism of premium cigars.

FOUNDRY is a stark juxtaposition between the old and the new. This visually-arresting collection was inspired by the art form of “steampunk,” which is both a retrospective and futuristic interpretation of innovation.

FOUNDRY is the brainchild of Michael Giannini who led the team that created the breakthrough brand. “Innovation comes from many sources,” he notes. “It is a pleasure and an honor to be able to call upon our greatest resources: the collective talent of cigar masters, our expertise in tobacco cultivation, processing and blending and the creativity of our artisan cigar rollers and box makers to bring FOUNDRY to fruition.”

Through a groundbreaking approach previously unseen in the premium cigar category, FOUNDRY entices the premium cigar connoisseur to take a bold step back in time and a quantum leap into the future to envision the artistry of handmade cigars through the lens of unbridled innovation.

Visual considerations aside, FOUNDRY’s avant-garde approach extends to its masterfully balanced synthesis of flavors. Featuring an indulgent collection of five proprietary tobaccos from four different countries, each aged between three and six years, Foundry’s foundation is amplified through an eight year old wrapper developed by General Cigar. Called H-47 Pleno Sol, the lustrous wrapper imparts a deeply complex, layered smoking experience like no other.

The four-cigar collection is accessibly-priced, and will make its mark on tobacco retail starting in late-October. Foundry features these new cigars: Wells (6”x 50, SRP per cigar is $7.95); Lovelace (6 ¼ ” x 54, SRP per cigar is $8.45); Talbot (5” x 60, SRP per cigar is $8.95) and Cayley (6 ½” x 60 x 56 x 43, SRP per cigar is $9.45). Each frontmark is presented with a unique box design and features both a traditional paper band and a steampunk-inspired metal gear band.



The folks at General Cigar have graciously provided me with a few samples of Foundry to review, so I decided there was no time like the present! On to the review we go!

Pre- Light: As I took a look at this cigar, the most notable feature was the gear ring that was on the band of the cigar. I ran the cigar across my nose, and got some hints of spice, and a heavy amount of citrus. The cigar felt firmly packed, and there were no noticeable defects with it. I clipped the end with my Xikar cutter, and lit up with my Xikar Inpress lighter.


1/3: As I started on this cigar, the first few puffs produced a nice volume of smoke. The flavors are predominantly a cinnamon type spice, with some citrus on the retrohale. The draw was superb, and the smoke volume was impressive. I did have a bit of an issue with the burn on the first 3rd that required a couple of touch ups. The touch ups were not to difficult to correct. I don’t know if the burn issue was due to the construction of the cigar, or the fact that it was a little breezy outside when I was smoking. So far, this is a very enjoyable smoke.



2/3: As I continued on this cigar, I got a significant amount of the citrus flavor, with any spice flavors fading into the background. The smoke volume is still great, and the burn is correcting itself. The ash is pretty solid, falling off every 3/4 of an inch or so. Through the entirety of this portion, I got a mostly citrus flavor, and not much changed, but it was a pretty decent flavor, so I didn’t mind. I’m still very much enjoying this cigar. It’s not overly complex, but the flavors are still enjoyable.



3/3: As I finished this cigar, the flavors were still very straightforward citrus, without a whole lot of changes or complexity. I really am enjoying the flavors, so changing or complexity is not needed, and I can see this cigar as one that will stay in my rotation.



Overall Impression: Overall, I enjoyed the smoke volume, draw, and citrus flavor that was dominant in this cigar. I have a few more of these, and I can’t wait to smoke them and see how they are. Seeing as how they are not yet released to the general public, I say that once these are released everyone ought to try at least one or two. I want to thank General Cigar for sending me a few of these to review.

[Nelenea]

Bumping this thread as I saw a few sizes of these at my local shop. Was wondering if anyone else has tried them and has anything to add... Thinking about picking a few up Wednesday when I go to the RP event here.

[iaMkcK]

I want one of these just because they look awesome.

[CoffeeWaterBeer]

I grabbed on eof these 2 weekends back. I wanted to give it a bit of a rest since the B&M I grabbed it from said they were brand new and I wasnt sure how long it had been off the truck.
The 2 people at the shop both were very adamant about smoking this with a clean palette, saying this is "very unique". I wasn't sure if it was a sales pitch or if they were for real since this was my first visit to this shop.
Hoping to spark it in the next few days, I'll report back as well.

Thanks for the review Scott *cheers*

[Hoover Niebold]

I recently tried this cigar at the cigar bar in Downtown Disney and was very surprised as to how good it was. Locally here in the Omaha area I can't find this cigar and would love to have a few to add to my humidor. I have had no luck finding them online either, would anyone know where I might purchase them online?

[Bondo 287]

I read an interview involving a rep from Foundry saying that you should save the gears that come with the cigars ( who wouldn't ? ) because there would be a promotional run involving these gears, in the future.

Not sure if they mean special gifts or discounts, since the rings are kind of like a proof of purchase thing......
or if the gears will serve some sort of purpose in a funky larger monstrosity thingy......

[joeobx]

Old VA Tobacco in Woodbridge had them a few weeks ago. I don't see them listed but I know they have more than listed on their web site, you could give them a call.

http://ovtc.com/cigar.html

[Hoover Niebold]

I finally found them at http://www.mikescigars.com/ $193 shipped for a box ox 24, not bad.
Had to call because General won't allow internet sales.

[bdgile]

Nice review.

I am liking these more and more over the past couple of months.

[AdamJoshua]

Great review, I was looking for some of these since the local B&M doesn't carry them and found this pic of their show set up... very cool, kind of want this as my desk to work at.

[mahtofire14]

From what I've heard about the gears, if you possess one of each Foundry line of cigars, and send the gears in from each of those cigars you will receive a desktop cutter in which the gears are a part of. That's what I have heard.

[AdamJoshua]

Well now I have a mission it seems...

[dozer]

Originally Posted by mahtofire14

From what I've heard about the gears, if you possess one of each Foundry line of cigars, and send the gears in from each of those cigars you will receive a desktop cutter in which the gears are a part of. That's what I have heard.

At first glance I thought these were pretty gimicky, but that sounds like cool marketing...

[Skywalker]

Thanks for the review, Scott!

I had the Wells this past weekend, a gift from Andrew (sikk50).

I found it to be unique! I tried to pinpoint the flavor notes I was picking up on and then found it amusing that I could not find information on the types of tobacco used in the blend, beyond the wrapper.

I agree with Scott, if you haven't tried one, do yourself a favor and pick one up. You won't be disappointed.

[Zipponubke]

Nice review.

[Lockspur]

Now I want one!

[bstarrs]

In the shop today I saw the one that is bulbous at the top and tapered down to the bottom and had the diagonal cut on the foot. It looked totally ridiculous, so much so that I could not bring myself to try it.

[crgcpro]

Bland super-mild and flavorless cigar

[bstarrs]

Originally Posted by crgcpro

Bland super-mild and flavorless cigar

Glad I passed on it when the woman at the B&M suggested it for me then

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by crgcpro

Bland super-mild and flavorless cigar

And that sums up General pretty well!