AshMap
Overview
The Encore Black Belicoso is not a cigar that announces itself; it insinuates. From the first cold draw, there's a quiet confidence in the dense, earthy resistance of the tapered head — a promise of concentration rather than volume. This is Foundation Cigar Co. at its most introspective, a blend that takes the Jalapa, Estelí, and Ometepe tobaccos that built the original Encore's reputation and re-frames them in a darker, more contemplative key. The Colorado-hued Habano Rosado wrapper is almost translucent in its oiliness, and as the flame kisses the foot, it releases a prelude of toasted bread and a faint, sweet hay note that suggests the aged tobaccos beneath are not just mature but patient. The first third unfolds with a cedar plank that is dry and aromatic, not green, layered over a creamy cocoa that feels like the last sip of a Mexican hot chocolate. A white pepper sting on the retrohale is immediate but refined, a jolt that tells you this is still a Nicaraguan blend with its boots on the ground. But what sets this Belicoso apart is the raisin-like dried fruit sweetness that threads through the cedar — not a candy coating, but a deep, concentrated sweetness that speaks to the three-year aging of the filler. By the second third, the cigar shifts its weight. The pepper recedes into a warm hum, and the profile drops into a dark espresso that is almost syrupy, backed by a leather note that feels like a well-worn chesterfield. The loam emerges — damp, mineral, forest-floor — and it grounds the smoke in a way that makes you pause. This is where the complexity peaks: a cinnamon and clove baking spice that dances on the finish, never cloying, always integrated. The Belicoso's tapered head is doing its work here, funneling every nuance into a focused stream that a robusto would blur. The final third is a bold, unapologetic descent. Dark chocolate, charred oak, and a roasted coffee that lingers like a campfire memory. The strength builds into full territory, but it's not a punch; it's a slow, deliberate pressure. The sweetness fades to a dry, tannic finish that leaves your palate clean and your mind quiet. This is a 90-minute meditation, a cigar that demands you sit with it, not just smoke it. In a market flooded with loud, over-blended Nicaraguans, the Encore Black Belicoso is a masterclass in restraint — a blend that trusts its tobaccos and its roller, and rewards the smoker who does the same.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Habano Rosado — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí, Ometepe) |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Belicoso |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening presents a rich combination of cedar, toasted nuts, and creamy cocoa. There is an underlying white pepper spice on the retrohale that announces Nicaraguan terroir immediately. A subtle dried fruit sweetness — think raisin — threads through the cedar backbone.
Second Third
The profile transitions into deeper territory with dark espresso, leather, and a distinct earthy, loamy note reminiscent of damp forest floor. The pepper spice mellows considerably while a molasses-tinged sweetness emerges. Complexity peaks here with layers of baking spice — cinnamon and a hint of clove.
Final Third
The final third turns boldly rich with dark chocolate, charred oak, and a lingering roasted coffee finish. Strength builds meaningfully into full territory. The sweetness fades, leaving a dry, tannic, and deeply satisfying conclusion with a long, complex retrohale finish.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — a product of La Hermandad's consistent craftsmanship. The draw is slightly firm but ideal for a belicoso, producing dense, voluminous smoke. The burn is even and deliberate, producing a firm, dark ash that holds 1.5 to 2 inches with ease.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A 12-year aged rum such as Zacapa 23 or a wheated bourbon like Pappy Van Winkle 12-year — the sweetness bridges the cigar's chocolate and leather notes without overwhelming them.
Wine
A Priorat Grenache or a bold Malbec from Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo region — the dark fruit and mineral depth complement the cigar's earthy, espresso-driven second half.
Non-Alcoholic
A cold brew coffee with a light cream float — the fat from the cream softens the cigar's pepper bite while the coffee's roasted character mirrors the final third perfectly.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has already climbed the mountain of peppery Estelí bombs and now seeks the view from the summit. Picture a man in his late 40s, a collector with a humidor full of rare Cubans and limited-edition Tatuajes, who has just finished a long week of board meetings and needs to decompress alone on his back porch, a glass of Zacapa 23 in hand. He's not looking for a nicotine rush or a novelty; he wants a familiar yet profound experience that mirrors his own maturity. He already enjoys the earthy depth of a Padron 1964 Anniversary and the refined spice of a Crowned Heads Las Calaveras. The Encore Black Belicoso will give him that rare moment of stillness, where each draw is a deliberate act, and the final third leaves him with a sense of closure rather than restlessness. It's for the smoker who knows that the best conversations are with himself, and this cigar is the perfect interlocutor.
Bottom Line
The Encore Black Belicoso is a sleeper hit that deserves a permanent spot in any serious humidor. It delivers a masterful balance of power and finesse, with a final third that justifies the price of admission alone. If you haven't explored Foundation's upper tier, this is your wake-up call.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Encore Black cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5) in strength. Physically, you'll feel a gradual nicotine buildup that becomes noticeable in the final third, but it never becomes harsh or overwhelming. It's a satisfying, full-bodied experience that requires a bit of food in your stomach, but it won't knock you out.
What does Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. taste like?
The flavor progression moves from cedar, toasted nuts, creamy cocoa, white pepper, and raisin sweetness in the first third, to dark espresso, leather, damp loam, cinnamon, and clove in the second. The final third is dominated by dark chocolate, charred oak, and roasted coffee, with a dry, tannic finish.
How long does Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. take to smoke?
As a 6 x 52 Belicoso, expect a smoking time of approximately 90 minutes. The tapered head and dense construction slow the burn, making it a deliberate, unhurried experience.
What is the best pairing for Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co.?
A 12-year aged rum like Zacapa 23 is ideal. The rum's inherent sweetness from the aging process bridges the cigar's chocolate and leather notes without overpowering them, while its warm, oaky finish complements the final third's charred oak and coffee character.
Is Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner cigar. With a Medium-Full strength rating and a price point of $14–$18 per cigar, it's better suited for experienced smokers who can appreciate its complexity and are willing to invest in a 90-minute session. Beginners might find the nicotine buildup and the dry, tannic finish challenging.
Where can I buy Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co.?
Given its small-batch production and limited distribution, you'll need to check premium brick-and-mortar cigar shops that carry Foundation Cigar Co. products, or reputable online retailers like Neptune Cigar, Atlantic Cigar, or Fox Cigar. It's often sold out, so setting up stock alerts is recommended.
What is the price of Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co.?
The Encore Black Belicoso retails for $14–$18 per cigar, placing it in the premium tier. Given its small-batch production and aged tobaccos, this price is competitive for the quality.
Is Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling, so the cigar is ready to smoke upon purchase. However, the Nicaraguan Habano Rosado wrapper and the blend's balance suggest it can handle 2–3 more years of humidor aging, which will further integrate the flavors and soften the pepper spice, potentially adding a creamy, leathery depth.
What wrapper does Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Habano Rosado wrapper in a Colorado shade. This wrapper contributes a medium-brown, slightly reddish hue with a light oiliness, and imparts notes of cedar, cocoa, and a subtle white pepper spice that is characteristic of Nicaraguan Habano tobacco.
Where is Encore Black Belicoso by Foundation Cigar Co. made?
It is hand-rolled at La Hermandad in Estelí, Nicaragua. This factory is known for its consistent craftsmanship, and the Belicoso's excellent burn and draw are a testament to the skill of the torcedores there.