Let's cut to the chase about Foundation's CT Broadleaf Lancero - this 7x40 parejo demands respect before you even light up. The oil-slicked Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper smells like fermented earth and black coffee grounds. At $12.45/stick, it's positioned as a premium daily smoke for fans of bold Nicaraguan blends with historical nods to Solomon's Temple through its Ethiopian monarch-themed packaging.
Initial puffs deliver black pepper kick alongside 80% dark chocolate bitterness. Smoke output stays moderate despite the slender ring gauge. Watch that burn line - the Broadleaf wrapper tends to canoe if rushed.
At the halfway point, leather and charred oak emerge through espresso grounds intensity. Retrohale reveals buried molasses sweetness that keeps the palate from fatigue. Ash holds firm in 1-inch segments.
Last third amps up nicotine punch with baking spices (cinnamon/nutmeg) and occasional tar buildup. Wise smokers stop at 1.5" nub to avoid harshness. Post-smoke finish lingers like Cuban coffee dregs.
The magic starts with Connecticut River Valley's fire-cured Broadleaf - 2-year aged for that signature oily sheen. Mexican San Andrés binder adds cinnamon depth while Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí (power) and Jalapa (sweetness) create the core. Master blender Melillo's 18-month fermentation process melds these elements without losing regional character.
