AshMap
Overview
The Tabernacle Havana Six Corona is a study in controlled darkness. From the first cold draw, it whispers of aged earth and cocoa, a promise of depth that unfolds with the deliberate patience of a slow-burning sermon. This is not a cigar that shouts for attention; it commands it through a quiet, authoritative complexity that builds like a well-argued thesis. The Havana Seed wrapper, a deep, toothy Colorado Maduro, is the text, and the Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers are the subtext, each puff revealing a new layer of meaning. It sits in the Foundation lineup as the most articulate expression of Nick Melillo's vision—a blend that honors the leaf's Cuban lineage while speaking fluently in the modern idiom of rich, balanced power.
The opening third is a masterclass in introduction. A wave of rich baking chocolate rolls over the palate, not as a confection, but as a dark, slightly bitter bar with a hint of dried dark cherry—a fruit note that is more tart than sweet, adding a necessary tension. This is anchored by a warm, familiar cedar that provides a structural backbone, while a clean, approachable pepper note on the retrohale acts as a polite but firm handshake. The smoke is dense and voluminous, coating the mouth with a creamy texture that belies the cigar's medium-full strength. It’s a confident start, one that suggests a narrative arc without revealing its climax.
As the ash column grows, the story deepens. The second third shifts the focus from sweet to savory, as leather and espresso take the forefront, creating a robust, earthy core. The dried cherry from the first third evolves into a richer dried fig, its sweetness now a supporting player to the emerging umami. A creamy nougat note weaves through the profile, softening the edges and adding a luxurious mouthfeel. The pepper, once a distinct presence, now integrates fully into the blend, becoming a warm, pervasive hum rather than a spike. It is here that a subtle, almost ethereal floral note—dried rose petal—emerges on the retrohale, a fleeting moment of elegance that contrasts beautifully with the deepening earthiness below.
The final third is a powerful, satisfying resolution. The strength, which has been building steadily, now asserts itself with a roasted coffee bean intensity and a return of dark baker's chocolate, this time more profound and less sweet. A lingering, almost primal earthiness grounds the experience, while molasses and a touch of toasted oak add a final layer of sweetness and structure. The finish is long and composed, a bold yet well-balanced denouement that leaves a lasting impression of roasted richness and subtle spice. The burn remains true, the ash firm and silvery, a testament to the impeccable construction that allows this complex narrative to unfold without interruption. This is a cigar that demands respect, rewarding the smoker with a journey that is as intellectually engaging as it is sensorially profound.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Havana Seed — USA — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos blended by Found Objects Cigar Company / Foundation Cigar Co. |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras |
| Vitola / Shape | Corona |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; specific age not publicly disclosed |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with natural cocoa sweetness and a hint of barnyard earthiness. Once lit, the first third delivers rich baking chocolate, dried dark cherry, and a warm cedar underpinning with a clean, approachable pepper note on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity builds as leather and espresso take the forefront, supported by dried fig and a creamy nougat sweetness. The pepper integrates fully rather than spikes, and a subtle floral note — almost like dried rose petal — emerges on the retrohale.
Final Third
The finish intensifies with roasted coffee bean, dark baker's chocolate, and a lingering earthiness. Molasses and a touch of toasted oak join the profile, and the cigar closes with a satisfying, long finish that is simultaneously bold and well-composed.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction on the Tabernacle Havana Six is excellent — the draw is slightly firm but ideal, producing dense, voluminous smoke; the burn line holds true with minimal touchups needed, and the ash is firm, silvery-grey, and holds in inch-plus columns.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum — specifically Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or a 12-year Barbadian rum like Doorly's XO; the molasses and chocolate notes in the cigar mirror the spirit's sweetness without clashing
Wine
Amarone della Valpolicella — its dried fruit richness, leather, and dark chocolate profile mirrors the cigar's complexity; alternatively a California Zinfandel with jammy dark fruit
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin dark roast Ethiopian or Guatemalan coffee, brewed as a pour-over — the coffee's fruity-chocolate character harmonizes with the cigar's dried cherry and cocoa notes
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has cut their teeth on milder blends and is now ready to step into the shadows. Picture a man in his late 30s, a Tuesday evening, the house finally quiet. He’s just poured a glass of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva and is settling into a leather armchair, not to escape, but to think. He’s enjoyed the creamy subtlety of an Ashton VSG or the peppery kick of a Padron, but he’s looking for something with more narrative weight. He wants a cigar that will hold a conversation with his thoughts, not interrupt them. The Tabernacle Havana Six Corona will give him a focused, contemplative hour and a half, a journey from sweet introduction to earthy conclusion that mirrors his own winding-down process. It’s a reward for a project completed, a quiet celebration of competence, and a benchmark for his evolving palate.
Bottom Line
The Tabernacle Havana Six Corona is a masterful blend that delivers a profound, layered experience from first light to final draw. It is a benchmark for the premium segment, offering a complexity and depth that rivals cigars at twice its price. This is a must-smoke for any serious enthusiast seeking a bold, contemplative classic.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Tabernacle cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tabernacle Havana Six Corona a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a satisfying, building nicotine presence, especially in the final third, but it never becomes harsh or overpowering. It provides a substantial, full-bodied experience that is more about depth and richness than raw, peppery power.
What does Tabernacle Havana Six Corona taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression. The first third offers rich baking chocolate, dried dark cherry, and warm cedar. The second third evolves into leather, espresso, dried fig, and a creamy nougat sweetness, with a subtle dried rose petal on the retrohale. The final third intensifies with roasted coffee bean, dark baker's chocolate, lingering earthiness, molasses, and toasted oak.
How long does Tabernacle Havana Six Corona take to smoke?
Given its Corona vitola and 6 x 52 size, you should expect a smoking time of approximately 90 minutes to two hours. The dense, voluminous smoke and impeccable construction encourage a slow, deliberate pace to fully appreciate the evolving flavor profile.
What is the best pairing for Tabernacle Havana Six Corona?
An aged rum, specifically Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, is an exceptional pairing. The rum's inherent molasses and dark chocolate sweetness directly mirror and amplify the cigar's core flavors, creating a harmonious and luxurious experience without one overpowering the other.
Is Tabernacle Havana Six Corona good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. Its Medium-Full strength and $12–$16 price point make it a significant investment that requires a palate accustomed to richer, more powerful flavors. A beginner would be better served starting with milder, more affordable options to build their palate before approaching this blend.
Where can I buy Tabernacle Havana Six Corona?
As a premium, highly-rated cigar, the Tabernacle Havana Six Corona is best purchased from reputable online cigar retailers like Neptune Cigars, Corona Cigar Co., or Small Batch Cigar, as well as from well-stocked local brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry the Foundation Cigar Co. portfolio.
What is the price of Tabernacle Havana Six Corona?
The Tabernacle Havana Six Corona is priced in the premium tier, typically retailing between $12 and $16 per cigar. This price point reflects the use of aged, premium tobaccos and the meticulous hand-rolling process in Honduras.
Is Tabernacle Havana Six Corona worth aging?
Yes, it is an excellent candidate for aging. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, but the Connecticut Broadleaf Havana Seed wrapper is known for its ability to develop further complexity with time in a humidor. Aging for 1-3 years should soften any remaining edges, allowing the earthy and sweet notes to meld into an even more cohesive and refined profile.
What wrapper does Tabernacle Havana Six Corona use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Havana Seed wrapper grown in the USA. This specific leaf is a shade-grown, Colorado Maduro that is lightly toothy with a subtle sheen. It is prized for its rich, earthy sweetness and is the primary driver of the cigar's dark chocolate and dried fruit flavor profile.
Where is Tabernacle Havana Six Corona made?
The Tabernacle Havana Six Corona is hand-rolled at the Tabacalera Agroindustrial factory in Danlí, Honduras. This is the production facility for Foundation Cigar Co., where the blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers is expertly combined with the Honduran binder and the US-grown wrapper.