In today’s write-up, we’re sharing our impressions of the Aksum Claro Robusto from Foundation Cigars. Let’s get into it.
Foundation Cigars don’t appear on Polski Aficionado very often – unfortunately. Due to their limited availability in our market, we reach for them whenever the opportunity presents itself. Even though these cigars aren’t officially available here, they somehow still find their way into our humidors – as if by magic. As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. And there’s some truth to that. On the other hand, as our recent podcast guest on Spotkanie z Dymem reminded us, sometimes it’s not about catching the rabbit, but about the chase itself.
Taking advantage of the kindness of the Polish golden autumn, I headed out to the park with this cigar. Sitting on a bench, coffee in hand and notebook tucked under my arm, I paused for a moment to celebrate the now. What came out of that moment – is what you’re reading now.
Aksum Claro Robusto
The Aksum line was introduced in 2023 – although it didn’t start under that name. Originally, it was released as Metapa. I had the chance to smoke it under its first name while in the United States. I remember enjoying it a lot, and when later I stood in a shop holding an Aksum in my hand, hesitant, the seller told me it was the very same cigar. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around that at first. Only afterward did I discover that I had indeed been holding the same cigar – just wearing two different bands. For the record, I liked both versions.
Unfortunately, a review never came to life back then, and I’m not confident enough in my memory to confirm – or deny – whether my impressions would still match. The renaming of the line and redesign of the band officially took place on February 24, 2024 – relatively recently.
The Aksum Claro blend features an Ecuadorian wrapper, a U.S.-grown Broadleaf binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua – specifically Estelí and Jalapa. The cigars are rolled at the AJ Fernandez factory. The line includes the following vitolas:
- Robusto (5 x 50),
- Corona Gorda (5 1/2 x 48),
- Toro (6 x 52),
- Double Corona (7 x 54).
In today’s review, we’ll be sharing our impressions of the Aksum Claro Robusto.
A few technical details
The cigar comes in a flattened, almost rectangular Robusto format, finished with a pig-tail cap. Though in this case, the “tail” looks more like a rope coiled on the ground. Its dimensions are 5 inches in length (about 12.7 cm) with a 50 ring gauge (around 19.84 mm in diameter).
Visually, the wrapper leans on the lighter side. It isn’t particularly pretty – rather veiny and rough. What truly stands out, however, is the beautifully detailed and richly decorated band.
A quick word on the story behind it. The name Aksum (Aksumite Kingdom) references the ancient empire located in what is now northern Ethiopia. According to local legend, the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Aksum by Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and remains there to this day. The brand suggests that the Ark lies under protection, guarded for a lifetime by a chosen keeper.
The figure featured on the band – and on the box – is Ras Makonnen. Who was he? He was the father of Emperor Haile Selassie and is considered one of the most significant leaders in Ethiopian history. Some sources refer to him as the governor of Aksum, while others indicate he served as the governor of Harar from 1887 to 1906, after a political conflict with Emperor Menelik II.
Before the rebrand, the cigars were released under the name Metapa. In their announcement, Foundation explained that the name was changed to better align with their biblically inspired lineup (e.g., The Tabernacle, Menelik). Despite the renaming, the blend, formats, packaging, and factory all remained unchanged.
The Cut
Before opening it, I take a moment to smell the cigar and let my senses wake up. It has a beautiful aroma – predominantly floral sweetness. From the foot, the scent shifts toward wood and earth. Altogether, it’s an inviting introduction to what’s ahead. I decided to open it with a straight cutter. Snip.
The draw – well… it’s more of a draft. While I usually enjoy an open draw, this one feels more like a wide-open window than a small vent. Still, if it has to go one way, I’d prefer this direction. On the cold draw, the cigar offers flavors of wood with a touch of earth. A bit more attention also reveals a sharp, peppery note – something close to hot pepper.
The Light
I give the foot a solid toasting with my jet flame lighter and bring it to life with a few short, gentle puffs. Then I let it rest for a moment before diving in. Right from the start, I’m greeted by coffee with a sharp hit of pepper on the nose. There’s also a hint of caramel in the distance – not yet fully formed, more of a suggestion. A subtle earthy note lingers in the background. The flavors are intense. Even from the beginning, there’s a noticeable sweetness. With time, that sweetness takes on a floral character, especially through the retrohale. Coffee remains a constant companion and gradually becomes dominant. The cigar is both sweet and spicy at once. Near the end, the earthiness takes over. A full-flavored cigar.
Strength & Body
This cigar shows its strength fairly quickly – there’s no need to wait until the final third. The flavor is full-bodied as well, which makes the overall experience quite intense. I was definitely glad that, thanks to Piotr’s advice, I had a solid breakfast beforehand. Piotr had smoked it earlier and warned me that this cigar doesn’t take prisoners. He was right.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces massive amounts of thick, aromatic smoke – like a chimney, which, I must admit, made me quite happy. The aroma resembles what I found before lighting it, though here it leans even more toward sweetness.
Construction & Burn
The burn isn’t particularly even. On top of that, the ash tends to fray and fall off without warning – whenever it feels like it. One thing that caught my attention was how surprisingly fast it burns. Faster than one might expect from a Robusto.
A note from Piotr Siwiński
I have a deep affection – and a constant curiosity – for Foundation Cigars. I fully buy into their image, their philosophy, and most importantly, their cigars. But you already know that. I’ve said it more than once on our podcast and in previous reviews. So when this Aksum landed in my hands, I have to admit – my expectations were just as high as my excitement.
Visually? Stunning. The cigar feels rustic – or perhaps the better word is natural. It’s clear no one tried to overly press the leaves into perfection. You immediately sense that this is a true hand-rolled product. I couldn’t wait to uncover the flavors hidden beneath that beautifully designed band. Mateusz has already written about the band and the brand’s philosophy – and you already know I’m fully on board with both.
Straight cut, light, and go. Unlike Mateusz, my draw was ideal – no excess airflow, no surprises. From the very first puff, I was hit with the flavor of perfectly toasted bread, quickly followed by notes of roasted nuts. As the cigar progressed, volcanic earth joined the profile – the Nicaraguan filler truly came alive. And while this kind of intensity has sometimes bothered me in other cigars, here it was harmonious, well-balanced, and hit every sense just right.
But the strength… was immense. It immediately reminded me of the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Candente (Robusto) – with its volcanic character that made me fall in love with it. Here, it was a similar story, which made me even more impressed.
In short: the ash was solid and never dropped on its own. The burn line was razor-sharp. But… just like Mateusz said – around an hour in, the cigar was done. I’m not sure what’s going on lately, but cigars that look like they’ll last a solid two hours are burning out much faster. And I really tried to take my time, focusing on every note, even looking for something to nitpick. But despite all that effort, it was over in an hour.
I fully realize that this cigar isn’t for everyone. Its strength and volcanic intensity could overwhelm some. But for fans of this style, it’s undoubtedly a treat. Once again, Foundation Cigars has delivered pure class.
Final Thoughts on Aksum Claro Robusto
I really enjoyed this cigar – very much, in fact. If I had to point out a flaw, it would definitely be the smoking time. And just to be clear, this wasn’t due to me rushing through it. I know myself well enough to say that a cigar of this size usually lasts me a relaxed 1.5 hours. This time, it barely felt like an hour. I suspect the very open draw – even by my standards – had a lot to do with it.
That said, the cigar is undeniably tasty. It offers everything I enjoy: intense flavors, an abundance of thick, aromatic smoke, and that sweet-and-spicy character I appreciate so much. I would definitely like to revisit it – preferably in the Toro format.
This cigar was purchased with our own funds.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Piotr Siwiński, @mycigarway, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
