A Review of the Foundation Aksum Maduro Double Corona (7” x 54)

There are cigars that are merely cigars, and then there are cigars that whisper stories from the depths of time, carrying the weight of forgotten empires and the wisdom of old souls. The Foundation Aksum Maduro Double Corona certainly belongs to the latter. This is not merely tobacco rolled in a fine wrapper—it is an invitation, a passage, a meditation in slow-burning devotion.

At first light, the Aksum Maduro reveals itself in waves of dark chocolate and black coffee, as if it has absorbed the strength of the earth itself. The Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro wrapper, rich and oily, feels ancient in my hands—like a relic from a civilization that understood patience, craftsmanship, and the sacredness of fire.

The first draw is bold, unapologetic. A light pepper tingles on the tongue, but it is not an assault; rather, it is a reminder—of life’s fire, of passion restrained yet potent. Beneath it, a current of dried fruit and leather rolls in, whispering like a monk who has long understood the power of silence and blessing of solitude.

As the burn evens out, the body of the cigar swells into something grander. It is not just a smoking experience; it is a communion. I can feel the spirit of the Nicaraguan tobacco farmers who nurtured these leaves, the artistry of the rollers who honored them with steady hands and took the time to box press them.

Halfway in, the Aksum Maduro deepens—earth and cedar take the stage, harmonizing with a subtle molasses sweetness. The draw remains effortless, smooth as the wisdom of an elder who knows that rushing through life is a fool’s errand. Each puff is a lesson: slow down, breathe, be present.

As the final third unfolds, I am no longer just a man with a cigar; I am a traveler at the gates of something greater. A nutty richness arrives, with hints of espresso and licorice, as if the cigar itself has aged and matured in these last few inches. The strength builds—not to overwhelm, but to leave a mark.

This is a cigar that does not fade into memory. It lingers, much like the stories of kings, the echoes of prophets, the laughter of old friends who knew the value of a well-told tale and a well-smoked cigar.

This is not a cigar for the hurried man, nor for the one who smokes merely for the sake of smoke. It is for those who understand that a cigar, when made with reverence, is a key—a key to history, to meditation, to gratitude.

So, if you pick up this fine offering, do it justice: sit down, exhale your worries, and let the spirit guide you. After all, the best things in life—be it love, wisdom, or a fine cigar—are meant to be savored.

-MJHarvell (Michael Joe Harvell)