AshMap
Overview
The Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo is a masterclass in the thoughtful application of Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro—a wrapper leaf all too often reduced to blunt-force strength in lesser hands. Here, Nicholas Melillo, founder of Foundation Cigar Company and a veteran of Drew Estate's Liga Privada era, demonstrates precisely why he is regarded as one of the most deliberate blenders in the modern Nicaraguan landscape. The Tabernacle line debuted in 2015 with an explicit homage to pre-revolutionary Cuban blending philosophy, and the Havana Six vitola—a 6 x 52 torpedo—represents the purest expression of that vision. The cigar is built in Estelí, Nicaragua, around a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder and a core of Estelí and Jalapa long-fillers that have been aged before blending, then cloaked in a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper subjected to an extended fermentation process that the company has made signature. The result is a wrapper of deep Colorado Maduro shade—nearly black, oily, and faintly toothy—that telegraphs the cigar's intentions from the first glance. On the cold draw, dark chocolate and dried fig offer a promise that the cigar immediately fulfills. The first third arrives with rich espresso, dark cocoa, and a soft bed of earth, backed by cedar and a black pepper tingle on the retrohale that never overplays its hand. A gentle sweetness, inherent to the Broadleaf, rises almost at once, creating a balance that becomes the cigar's defining structural principle. In the second third, complexity deepens in a manner that invites deliberate attention. Dark fruit notes—raisin and dried plum—emerge alongside leather and toasted walnut, while the pepper shifts from sharp to a warming, baking-spice character. Cedar grows more pronounced, lending elegance and structure. The final third concentrates the blend's core strength without coarseness: heavier espresso and dark caramel meet a mocha sweetness that persists to the nub, anchored by a refined tobacco core that never turns acrid. The construction is exemplary by Foundation's rigorous standards: the torpedo head clips cleanly, the draw offers ideal resistance, the burn line runs remarkably even, and the ash holds in long white-grey columns. Smoke output is dense and aromatic. The Havana Six Torpedo occupies a sweet spot in the Tabernacle lineup—the vitola format constricts the blend's intensity at the head and opens complexity through the body in a way the robusto or toro cannot replicate. At $14–$18 per cigar, it sits comfortably in the premium tier yet punches well above it, competing with the likes of Liga Privada T52 and My Father Le Bijou. This is an intellectually honest Broadleaf Maduro project—one that honors Cuban tradition while celebrating New World tobacco at its finest.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan Estelí and Jalapa long-fillers, aged |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to blending; Connecticut Broadleaf undergoes extended fermentation characteristic of the Tabernacle |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw offers dark chocolate and a hint of dried fig before lighting. On ignition, the first third opens with rich espresso, dark cocoa, and a subtle earthiness underpinned by a whisper of cedar. A gentle sweetness from the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper emerges almost immediately, balancing an early black pepper tingle on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity deepens in the middle third as dark fruit — raisin and dried plum — melds with leather and a roasted nut quality, reminiscent of toasted walnut. The pepper transitions from sharp to a warming, baking-spice character, and the cedar note gains presence, lending structure and elegance to the profile.
Final Third
The final third concentrates the blend's core strength, pushing into heavier espresso and dark caramel notes with a satisfying mocha sweetness that persists to the nub. A lingering earthiness and a refined tobacco core maintain balance without becoming harsh or acrid — a hallmark of Melillo's approach to the Broadleaf Maduro format.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary by Foundation standards — the torpedo head clips cleanly, the draw is effortless with just the right amount of resistance, and the burn line is remarkably even. Ash holds firm and white-grey in long columns, and the smoke output is dense and aromatic.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum is the natural companion — specifically a 12-year Barbadian rum like Doorly's XO or a Guatemalan Zacapa 23, whose caramel and vanilla sweetness mirrors the wrapper's inherent sweetness. Alternatively, a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller 12 plays brilliantly against the dark chocolate notes.
Wine
A Zinfandel from Lodi or a ripe Grenache-based Châteauneuf-du-Pape — fruit-forward with structured tannins — complements the dark fruit and espresso complexity without overpowering the cigar.
Non-Alcoholic
A cold brew concentrate or a double-shot cortado mirrors the espresso and cocoa notes and refreshes the palate between draws. A dark roast Ethiopian Yirgacheffe with natural fruit processing is a particularly elegant pairing.
Who Should Smoke This?
This cigar is for the experienced enthusiast who appreciates the nuance of Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro beyond mere strength. It rewards the smoker who takes time to parse flavor transitions—the introduction of dark fruit in the second third, the shift from black pepper to baking spice, the persistent mocha sweetness in the finish. It is not a casual smoke: the 60–75 minute commitment demands an unhurried setting, ideally a weekend afternoon or a post-dinner contemplative session. Beginners may find the medium-full body and pepper retrohale challenging, but those with some experience who are exploring Broadleaf will find a refined entry point. The Havana Six Torpedo is especially suited to cigar smokers who value balance over brute force and who appreciate the intellectual architecture behind a well-constructed blend.
Bottom Line
The Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo is a benchmark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro—balanced, complex, and constructed with an integrity that honors Cuban tradition while showcasing New World tobacco. At its price point, it belongs in any serious rotation. One of the most rewarding torpedo vitolas in the premium market today.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Tabernacle cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo a strong cigar?
It is medium-full in strength, rated 4 out of 5. It delivers a satisfying nicotine presence but is not overwhelming. The strength builds gradually through the final third, where heavier espresso and dark caramel notes concentrate, but the blend remains balanced without becoming harsh.
What does the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo taste like?
The flavor profile opens with rich espresso, dark cocoa, and cedar, with a subtle earthiness and a black pepper tingle on the retrohale. In the second third, dark fruit—raisin and dried plum—leather, and toasted walnut emerge, while the pepper shifts to baking spice. The final third intensifies into espresso, dark caramel, and a persistent mocha sweetness, anchored by a refined tobacco core.
How long does the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes. This is not a quick-break cigar; it rewards a deliberate, unhurried session. The torpedo format narrows the burn at the head and opens complexity through the body, which benefits from steady, patient smoking.
What is the best pairing for the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo?
Aged rum is the natural companion—a 12-year Barbadian such as Doorly's XO or a Guatemalan Zacapa 23 brings out the wrapper's inherent caramel and vanilla sweetness. A wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller 12 also pairs well against the dark chocolate notes. For wine, a Zinfandel from Lodi or a ripe Grenache-based Châteauneuf-du-Pape complements the dark fruit and espresso complexity. Non-alcoholically, a cold brew concentrate or a double-shot cortado mirrors the espresso and cocoa notes.
Is the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo good for beginners?
It is best suited for experienced smokers. The medium-full strength, layered complexity, and pepper retrohale may challenge newer palates. Beginners who are exploring Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro can try it after building some tolerance, but it is not recommended as a first cigar. Those with moderate experience who are ready to explore Broadleaf will find it a refined entry point.
Where can I buy the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo?
The Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo is available at premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, including major specialty shops that carry Foundation Cigar Company products. Due to its popularity, it may sell out periodically. Always verify source authenticity to avoid counterfeit product.
What is the price of the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo?
Pricing typically falls between $14 and $18 per cigar, depending on the retailer and applicable taxes. It is positioned in the premium tier and offers strong value at that price point, competing favorably with other high-end Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro blends.
Is the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, but with some nuance. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and aged filler tobaccos already possess integration, so short-term aging of six to twelve months can soften the pepper edge and deepen the dark fruit and mocha notes. Longer aging (over two years) risks diminishing the wrapper's signature sweetness. It is best enjoyed within two years of purchase.
What wrapper does the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, specifically graded as Colorado Maduro in color—deep espresso brown, nearly black, with a pronounced oily sheen and a slightly toothy texture. The wrapper undergoes extended fermentation, a signature process for the Tabernacle line, which mellows the leaf and develops its characteristic sweetness.
Where is the Tabernacle Havana Six Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at the Foundation Cigar Company's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The tobacco components—Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, and Nicaraguan Estelí and Jalapa long-fillers—are assembled under the supervision of Nicholas Melillo, who founded Foundation Cigar Co. in 2015.