AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the Tunnel Press Torpedo, when the box-press’s squared shoulders seem to relax into your fingers, and the smoke turns from a declaration to a conversation. This is the Foundry’s quiet triumph: it takes the experimental ethos of General Cigar’s boutique skunkworks—a brand that has dabbled in steampunk aesthetics and wild vitolas—and distills it into a cigar that feels less like a concept and more like a confession. The Colorado Maduro wrapper, toothy and glistening like wet river stone, is the first hint that this isn’t a brute-force Broadleaf bomb. It’s a wrapper that wants to be tasted, not just seen. The pre-light draw confirms the intent: dark chocolate that melts into a dried cherry compote, a sweetness that promises complexity rather than cloying sugar. Once lit, the first third is a study in controlled depth. Espresso arrives with a barista’s precision—bitter, concentrated, and unapologetic—but it’s immediately joined by baker’s cocoa that feels dusted, not dumped. The cedar backbone is the structural element, a dry, aromatic frame that keeps the sweetness from collapsing into syrup. There’s an earthiness here, but it’s the smell of a root cellar after rain, not the aggressive grit of a field. By the midpoint, the Tunnel Press’s construction begins to pay its dividend. The draw, initially firm like a handshake from a stranger, loosens into something more familiar, and the burn line straightens into a disciplined march. This is where the blend reveals its second act: leather, supple and worn, wraps around black cherry and dried plum, while the retrohale introduces a black pepper that snaps like a rubber band. The creaminess that emerges is unexpected—a velvet texture that coats the palate and softens the pepper’s edge. It’s a shift in mood, not a loss of focus. The final third is where the Broadleaf earns its keep. The charred oak deepens into something almost primal, while the molasses sweetness lingers like a memory of a dessert you can’t quite name. White pepper and anise flicker on the finish, not as a challenge but as a farewell. The cigar never turns harsh, never begs for a relight, never loses its narrative thread. It simply ends—long, dark, and satisfied. This is a cigar that understands pacing. It doesn’t rush to impress, doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s the kind of smoke that makes you check the band again, not because you forgot what you’re smoking, but because you want to remember who made it.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos blended by General Cigar's boutique Foundry division |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (General Cigar's La Romana facility, with Nicaraguan and Honduran leaf) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; Foundry lines are known for pre-release aging protocols on select blends |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw delivers dark chocolate and dried cherry up front. Once lit, the first third opens with rich espresso, baker's cocoa, and a pronounced cedary backbone. A subtle earthiness anchors the palate without overwhelming the sweeter maduro notes.
Second Third
The midpoint brings increased complexity — leather and dark fruit (black cherry, dried plum) emerge alongside roasted coffee and a hint of black pepper on the retrohale. The box-press begins to show its dividend as the draw opens slightly and the burn evens out, allowing creamier notes to develop.
Final Third
The final third deepens into dark espresso, charred oak, and a lingering molasses sweetness that is characteristic of Connecticut Broadleaf at its best. Some spice returns on the finish — white pepper and a touch of anise. The cigar never turns harsh, closing with a long, satisfying finish of dark roast and earth.
Construction, Burn & Draw
The box-press torpedo construction is sound — draw is typically open to slightly firm, appropriate for the vitola. Burn line holds well with minimal touch-ups needed; the ash is firm and holds an inch or more, reflecting quality long-filler discipline.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum — particularly Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva — or a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 to complement the maduro's natural sweetness without fighting the spice
Wine
A ripe Zinfandel from Lodi or a Malbec from Mendoza — fruit-forward, moderate tannin, complements the dark fruit and chocolate notes
Non-Alcoholic
A cold brew concentrate or a dark roast single-origin Ethiopian coffee (natural process) to mirror the espresso and dark fruit tones of the blend
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a man in his late 40s, a collector who has a humidor full of rare Cubans but reaches for them less and less. He’s just finished a week of back-to-back meetings, and Friday evening has finally arrived. He pours a finger of Zacapa 23, sits on his porch as the sun drops, and wants a cigar that won’t demand his attention but will reward it when given. He’s smoked enough Nicaraguan puros to respect their power, but tonight he wants nuance without a fight. He’s enjoyed the earthy sweetness of an Undercrown Maduro and the refinement of a Padron 1964, but he’s looking for something that feels both familiar and new. This Foundry will give him that—a medium-full smoke that lets him sink into the leather chair, close his eyes, and let the dark fruit and espresso carry him through the evening. It’s not a cigar for a celebration or a milestone; it’s a cigar for the quiet victory of making it to the weekend.
Bottom Line
The Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo is a masterclass in maduro restraint—a box-pressed beauty that delivers Broadleaf depth without the usual one-dimensional punch. It’s a must-smoke for anyone who believes a dark wrapper can still whisper. Buy a fiver; you’ll be reaching for a box by the third.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Foundry cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo a strong cigar?
It’s rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable nicotine presence that builds gradually, but it never overwhelms. You’ll feel a pleasant warmth in the chest by the final third, but it won’t knock you out. It’s more about flavor intensity than raw strength.
What does Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo taste like?
The first third opens with espresso, baker’s cocoa, and cedar. The second third introduces leather, black cherry, dried plum, and a black pepper retrohale. The final third deepens into dark espresso, charred oak, and molasses sweetness, with white pepper and anise on the finish.
How long does Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo take to smoke?
Given its 6.0 x 52 Torpedo vitola and box-press density, expect a relaxed 80 to 90 minute smoke. The draw is firm initially but opens up, allowing for a slow, contemplative pace.
What is the best pairing for Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo?
Aged rum like Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is ideal—the rum’s caramel and vanilla sweetness mirrors the maduro’s molasses notes without overpowering the spice. A wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark 46 also works, as its softer profile complements the dark fruit rather than fighting it.
Is Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo good for beginners?
Not really. At Medium-Full strength and a $12–$18 price point, it’s better suited for someone who has smoked enough to appreciate flavor progression and can handle a gradual nicotine build. A beginner might find the pepper and charred oak notes challenging; start with a milder Connecticut shade wrapper first.
Where can I buy Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo?
Since it’s a limited boutique release under General Cigar, your best bet is a premium brick-and-mortar tobacconist that carries Foundry’s full line. Online retailers like Cigar.com or Famous Smoke Shop often stock it, but availability fluctuates due to limited production runs.
What is the price of Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo?
It retails between $12 and $18 per cigar, depending on your local tax rate and the retailer. At that price, it sits firmly in the premium tier, competing with other boutique maduro offerings.
Is Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The tobaccos are already aged before rolling, and the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has a natural sweetness that will mellow further with 6–12 months of humidor rest. Aging beyond two years may mute the black pepper and anise, so smoke it within that window to enjoy the full spectrum.
What wrapper does Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, specifically a Colorado Maduro shade—deep chocolate brown, slightly toothy with a subtle oily sheen. This wrapper is known for its earthy sweetness and is the primary driver of the molasses and dark fruit notes.
Where is Foundry Tunnel Press Torpedo made?
It’s handcrafted in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at General Cigar’s La Romana facility. The binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, all aged prior to rolling. The 'Tunnel Press' refers to the box-press technique applied during rolling, which gives the cigar its distinctive squared shape.