Foundation Cigar Company’s Tabernacle cigar embodies founder Nicholas Melillo’s long-time passion and intimate experience with the Broadleaf varietal – made even deeper by his connection, as a native son, to Connecticut soil. Out of reverence for the tobacco leaf, and tobacco tradition, the brand is named for the hallowed sanctuary of Hebrew scripture: The Tabernacle – which housed the Ark of the Covenant before the building of the Temple of Solomon.
For Foundation’s latest release, a two-size extension to the Tabernacle line, Melillo has again drawn on biblical inspiration to represent his life in tobacco and his commitment to the industry. Beginning next month, Foundation will begin shipping two new Perfectos: David (5 x 54) and Goliath (5 x 58) in 25 count boxes.
“Anyone who has smoked Connecticut cigar brands of old knows the Perfecto is a classic size,” said Melillo. “Back in the day it was the vitola of choice for connoisseurs,” he added. “When it came time to create a line extension to the Tabernacle, the blend in these two sizes could not be ignored.”
From the inception of the Tabernacle line, the artwork has paid tribute to the Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia featuring the likeness of Haile Selassie I, the kingdom’s monarch from 1930-1974. The biblical victory of David over Goliath has particular resonance with Ethiopia’s proud history as the only African nation to fend off colonial conquest.
