Trinidad (Cuba) Fundadores

So much coffee. Simply a beautiful cigar. Even detected honey in the pre-light aroma. Best cigar I've had by miles.

the trinidad is the best and smothest cigar i have ever had

Somewhat of a tight draw on this sister to the Cohiba Lancero. Good aroma similar to a Montecristo with a very light sweet flavor. If they were not so overpriced, would be a good daytime smoke.

This was the second Trnidad I've smoked. The first was 12 months old and this one was 18 months old. Both were plagued with construction problems. Tight draw was the main problem, both seemed to lack that great "Cuban" flavor.
I hope that mine were just

A magnificent cigar! I loved everything about this cigar.

great cigar, hard to find, will be appreciated as a gift

Not my favorite Cuban cigar, but still better than almost anything from off the island. I found it surprisingly mild for a Cuban, although it did have a bit of a "kick." It took a little too long (perhaps 3 inches) for the Cuban flavor profile to develop

picked up a box of these in the caymans. had to be one of the best i've had. good smoke

A nice thin long cigar, I was sure it would be plugged, but no. The draw was great, a mild flavor with a medium finish, a nice change of pace for me.

Trinidad Fundadores 1998. This cigar was yet another Cuban that surprised me. A powerhouse? No. A refined cigar for, perhaps, a more reflective cigar moment.

The first thing I noticed was the packaging. 4 rows of 6 cigars each separated by a cedar

Smoke this and you'll never smoke an other cigar again .You are warned.

Smoothest Cuban yet. Relatively mild cuban, like a R&J churchill, but nicer flavor

Has anybody out there ever smoked one? If so, give details please.

7.5 inches and a 40 ring. Who would have thought that a cigar that narrow and long would smoke so beautifully!

My first Fundadores (Cuba) was a real hit!
Noble and very complex tastings without any bitterness. Perfect draw and burning through the whole smoke. A bit pricy though, but wort every buck! A real quality cigar - probably one of the best there is!

I used to smoke Trinidad petit corona, but month ago bought pack of 5 Fundadores in Shanghai duti-free shop. I tasted already two and keep another three in my humidor for the best reason to smoke it. This cigar exceed my expectations based on experience with smoking petit corona. Is long smoke, but so smooth and enjoyable that your just loose a time orientation. This cigar has good flavor even in the last third. Although is Long Carona (7 5/8) the draw was very easy for me. Fidel knows what to smoke!!!! 🙂

I bought 6 of these and have had them on my humidor for over two years. Smoked the first one on my 62 nd birthday and the second one last night. 100% pleasure from the time you light up to about 2 inches from the end. It has a little bit of everything on the flavor side all enjoyable good draw volumes of smoke onoly small problem was holding any ash but thats why they have ashtrays

started kind of slow but hlaf wy through it made up for it. smooth and plenty of smoke. spent one year resting in the humidor before lighting

Having smoked my first Trinidad, I understand why Castro kept these for the foreign diplomats visiting his country. The Fundadores was a very good cigar. The draw was a tad tight but who's complaining! The cigar started out smoothly enough with coffee and nutmeg tastes which were somewhat earthy. Toward the end, the spice and power kicked in. I have been smoking cigars for about 20 years and can clearly see the quality of the ingredients which go into this noble cigar. If it were not for the slight tightness in the draw, I would give the construction mark a perfect 10.

sums it up perfectly

First off, I am not a fan of long thin cigars. I was given this cigar from a friend and told to enjoy it. I let it sit in the humidor for about 3 years. Today I tried it.

It is a very well constructed cigar....Almost too well because it did not draw very good. I had to relight it once half way through the smoke. The flavor was very mild and mellow, it reminded me of an old leather catchers mit, with hint of nuttiness in it.

The flavor was enjoyable, but in this price range, there are many other fine cuban cigars that are just simply better. After smoking this cigar, I was slightly disappointed.

I recently smoked this stick purchased from a store in St. Maarten (dutch section).

I really enjoy smoking the reyes line from trinidad, and expected a longer verison of the same cigar.
I was very very wrong.

The trinidad fundy is a VERY long cigar.. Over 7 inches with a RG almost the same as the Reyes (maybe exactly the same?)

The construction is simply outstanding. To roll such a long thin cigar so perfectly must take some degree of skill.

The Cigar lit easily due to the smaller ring gauge.
This cigar had no "break-in" period like some other habanos i have smoked in the past, right from the 1st puff the flavors were excellent.
The cigar started out with nice pure tobacco flavor with a sweet spice finish. Totally different from the Reyes!! What really impressed me was how smooth the smoke was, i overpuffed a bit, but the cigar never became hot, bitter, or harsh. This cigar was THE smoothest smoking/tasting i have ever had.
For the first 1/3 of the cigar i would describe the flavors as medium in strength and somewhat "light" tasting.

After the 1/3 to 1/2 way point, the profile changed from a lighter "pure" tobacco flavor to more of a darker "woody" tobacco flavor. the sweet spice began to fade, although there was still a sweet finish. The strength of the smoke builds ever so slightly as you smoke.

The final 1/3 of the cigar was my favorite part. The flavors setteled into a deep tobacco flavor with many complex layers, i could no longer detect any spice, but the sweetness seemed to be turned up a notch. Once i reached this final 3rd of the cigar, i knew that the fundadores had earned its place in my humidor. Its a total package cigar, and its well worth the premium price tag. I smoked this cigar down past the band, and it never became harsh or bitter.

Other things that impressed me.
Flawless construction. Just holding this cigar in your hand is a joy in itself.
Flawless burn. Not one touch-up was needed. I used my lighter ONCE to light the cigar, and it carried itself all the way to the final puff. This lasted around 2 hours? i wasnt timing it, but i lit it around the beginning of the hockey game, and it lasted to almost the end of the game... and i was puffing quite fast as it tasted SOO good i couldnt help myself.

Perfect draw. for such a long cigar, the draw is actually quite good. It begins a little on the tight side (not a bad thing in my eyes) and by the final 3rd, each puff brings large volumes of smoke.

No bitterness. Ever.

Smoothess. If i were to pick one quality to define the taste of this cigar. it would be its smoothness. Like smoking silk.

Im not sure of the age of this cigar, as it was purchased by a friend. It was also purchased "loose" rather than by the box.
This cigar has become my favorite Habano. After i finish smoking the 4 i have left, i will be getting a box...
They may seem expensive, but the 12pack can be had for under $200. This makes it much more accessable for some people (me). Believe me, its money WELL spent.

If you are thinking of getting the Reyes as a less expensive substitute, they just dont compare. Dont get me wrong, i like the Reyes ALOT.. but it doesnt even come close to the fundadores.

I may sound like a trinindad salesman, and i wish i were.. these things must sell themselves...

Smoked this during the holiday season, and it was a great getaway. After a bit of tunnel (possibly flame related) it burned true. This flavor-full creamy smoke gave over an hour of slight changes - coffee, then nutty - always smooth and trini... it'sa must try cigar.

Wow, I was blown away by the flavor of this cigar (while I could keep it lit). I've smoked a few of these now and they all suffer from some slight draw issue. Shame really because the flavor on this cigar is simply delightful.

Most of the cigars I have smoked with the smaller ring gauges have left me wondering why did I even bother? Not this time...the Trinidad really excelled in just about every aspect. Great flavors, long cool burn, excellent construction and appearance. A magnificient work of art.

I smoked my first of these on my holiday to the Spanish Islands last month and found them a dream cigar. Like others i'm converted from the fatter sticks to these longer thinner smokes. THe flavours are not as delicate or soft as robustos probably because they burn hotter but the flavours evlove a lot more nicely as you work your way down. This stick is a classic Trinidad, lots of cream and coffee, leather and spice, not a powerfull brute like a Patagas or a Bolivar but just as much interesting flavour. Different, but just as good as the Robusto Extra.

For those of you who believe in ageing sticks buy your smokes in Spain. From what i can tell the Spanish love cigars and have very well stocked humidors. However the locals seem to prefere the cheap, mild Honduran and Dominicans so the top cubans seem to sit in the humi for years. I picked up a handfull of different Cubans, most were at least 2years old with a couple of the sticks the Spanish just dont smoke (eg El ray del mundo Corona de lux) dating back to 2000 - 2001. If thats not enough for you, taxs are low and they really know how to look after their cigars out there.

Bursting with flavor, changing directions from creamy with a slightly sweet profile to a spicier smoke with the unusual but great toasted flavor. Burned like a champ for such a long cigar, and the flavors never disappointed. A truly great cigar.

This cigar introduced me and made me a fan of the the thinner, longer smokes. It produced smoke booming with flavor, just like a robusto would and it was impecabley constructed for a smooth draw.

What else can you say. Monte 2, RyJ Churchill, TTT Fundadores....

Tried my first Trinidad yesterday on the porch with a nice steaming cup of Java. Beautifuly constructed cigar with a great prelight aroma. First 1/3 was a bit tight and flavor was somewhat subdued. Next 1/3 was fine on the draw and the chocolate / spice came through very well. Last 1/3 was what I expected from all the reviews. Great flavor, dense and smooth smoke (almost creamy) and somewhat more power. As other people have said, this is not a Bolivar powerhouse, but more of a "refined" smoke for early afternoon. Flavor porfile is not complex; I got pretty much the same throughout the cigar. Burn was a bit of a problem on the wrapper iteself, not sure why. Filler was fine, but wrapper did not burn evenly. I have 3 more in my humidor - will be interesting to see how they age.

I've been smoking these things like Candy lately. The flavor is great and the size is one I like. Recently I've gotten into Thin Ring Gauge Habanos and I've been well rewarded by taking my time smoking them. This cigar is no exception.

This is a great med bodied cuban. There is a mystique that comes over you when smoking this particular cigar. Just knowing that Castro smoked many and gave these to diplomats. This is what smoking is all about.

This is an excellent smoke. Box code EL NOSU 1998. Lonsdale vitola with a khaki brown wrapper with minimal veining. Solid construction without soft spots. Wonderful rich prelight (and postlight!) aroma. Easy light. Smooth draw. Mostly even burn with flakey gray ash, though not razor sharp, without the need for corrections. Started with earth, mild wood, and a hint of vanilla bean which blended into a straight tobacco flavor in the first third, which became more "toasted" as it was smoked. A floral nuance was also present, but seemed to tip-toe in and out. The middle third introduced an herbal quality and a hint of a grassy note that layered on top of the core earthy and tobacco flavors. A very light mineral essence was also noted. The final third was outstandingly complex with prominent floral and herbaceous flavors that tangled with notes of menthol and even fleeting wintergreen. All in all, this one hour and 45 minute smoke (which was smoked SLOWLY to bring out the nuances) is a rich, satisfying smoke that was more earthy when compared to its Cohiba Lancero cousin, but shared the same complexity. Paired well with HC7. Bought a box.

While not bad at all, I was pretty underwhelmed considering the hype. Mild with mostly tobacco.soil.chocolate tastes. Draw and burn were great. Pretty overpriced IMO.

Cuban & Mild...hmmmm that does not seem appealing to me. I can smoke a nice 2fer or second if I want mild. While this cigar is well made, burns straight, and has a nice draw, what is the fuss over this from a flavor standpoint? If you never read the reviews, would you be looking for all these phantom flavors in the last 1/4 of the smoke? It's mild with standard/traditional tobacco flavor- PERIOD!

Bought at an unusual supplier in Milan, aged 5 months in the humidor, and smoked in Geneva on the day of my 44th birthday. This thing is an absolute wonder, smooth, oh so well built, with great flavours. Value, what's value for this wonder?

i have an ashtray full of trinidad nubs on my back deck. this cigar is fabulous.mild in the first third and then just builds from there. i can't wait to try the robustos!

I had the luck to smoke my first Trinidad in Habana just a few weeks after its introduction.
An experience not to forget. Since then (with some ups+downs) remains my all time favorite.
VDG Ashton is a good second..

a good cuban, I still say a monte # 2 beats this but different strokes for different folks, smooth, medium bodied, has a nice leather creamy flavor, worth a try.

The pre-light draw was good and had a sweet flavor to it. After lighting I was a little let down at first, I thought it was going to be too mild for my tastes. But, it burned well and was roducing a lot of smoke for the small ring gauge, so, I kept smoking. The cigar came alive in the second half, and was remarkable once it kicked in. It maintained the sweetness along with some cocoa and nuttiness. This cigar was from 1998, so it was almost seven years old. Overall it was a very pleasant (and long) smoking experience.

This cigar is so smooth. I generally prefer larger ring cigars...but somehow this one packs a huge amount of flavor in a narrow package. The finish is really amazing....not one bit of after taste. They do get better with age, just smoked one that was in my humidor for two years. Each one gets better and better. If you get the chance, highly recommend

I was surprised this cigar lived up to the hype. Got my mitts on one, lit it up, and promptly bought a box. I will, from now on, have a box of these in my humidor at all times.

It does not get better than this in the late evening. Coffe and cocoa flavors and a bit earthy. Ages well. Aroma to die for. do not be distracted when smoking a Trinidad

Smoked a 6 year old fundadore the other night. Pretty looking cigar, ncie wrapper, snipped the cap, toasted the foot and sparked her up. Burn and draw were exceptional, smoke had an awesome body, it was as if I was sipping the cigar the smoke had so much body, with full smooth habano flavor range. Just a tremenous cigar.

When these are on they are untouchable. Best when aged but good off the truck. The only issue I have is that some are tight. This is a hard shape to roll and sometimes the bear wins.

I thought this smoke was, "okay". I'm not going to overhype this cigar because I have had much better (see: Cohiba). Smooth draw, good burn, earthy/black coffee/spicy with a small amount of bitterness (in a good way). I probably won't smoke another unless gifted, as I like others better.

Because of my naivety of lighting it up while driving instead of lounging in my chair and ready to give it my full attention. Needless to say, that was my first Fundadore. Box code CLE SEP01, smoking this one is like making love to a seasoned beautiful woman. Mellow and sensational smoke caresses every taste buds in my mouth while taking my consciousness to heaven. Doing this while driving should be outlawed.

The title says it all. The Cuban mystery brand just tastes better than all the rest. Let the prestigious minions have their Esplendidos; I'll take a Fundadore any day. Rich, smooth flavor and a slow, consistent burn. The best draw in the business. I prefer to age mine in a humidor set at 75%.

I smoked a Cuban Cohiba right after this one. This cigar was much fuller and smother than the Cohiba. If you can ever get a hold of one of these, well worth the smoke. I have had Cuban cigars in the past and have not been overly impressed. But this one changed my mind.

It is a great cigar. Does not want to end smoking it. Rich and full flavor. Burns evenly. Highly recommend it.

Very Creamy smoke, kind of like a cuban Butera. Cap was nice, draw was a bit tight at the beginning, but became nice about 1/8 the way down. Nice ash. A fruity oak tast at the beginning, the tasted Mine smoked nice all the way down to the fingers. Overall a very very nice smoke. The wrapper did start to unravel about 1/3 the way down but didn't keep unraveling.

Long and thin, this cigar has a tight draw that is characteristic of thin cigars. It starts with a hint of raisins, but not too sweet. Towards the middle it started drawing more easily and it got spicy with hints of wood. Soon there after it became unsmokable. The wrapper also had problems staying togother. The cap was nice and neat. Too bad about the construction problems.

This is certainly one of my favorites. I picked up a box in 2001..had one and thought it was good..left them age 2 years and WOW they are great!

This is one of better Havanas. Very rich for a 40 ring guage. Very subtle well balance flavors. Rich and perfumed aroma

I thought this cigar deserved a second chance, the last one I had was good, but this one was great. From Sept98, probably the smoothest cigar I have ever had, a perfect wrapper and a ton of flavor. Nice long spicy finish, glad I gave it another chance, although it did cost me a lot as I bought the box. Well worth the price though. How do they get all that smoke to come through such a thin long cigar. Great!

Great burn and flavor. There was just something in this cigar that I have never tasted before, and thats a good thing.

Great burn and flavor. There was just something in this cigar that I have never tasted before, and thats a good thing.

The Holy Grail of Cigars. The refined blend of creamy and sweet tobacco flavors is one of a kind. Ages well, if you can hold off.

A great looking and well constructed cigar. While a good smoke I found it a little one dimensional and lacking in complexity. I also did not care for the perfumey type flavor in places. Given the price of this cigar IMO this is not a good value, much better ISOMs out there for a lot less.

What an incredible cigar. The most refined and elegant cigar coming out of Cuba at this time. It's silky smooth wrapper, and equally smooth velvety smoke put you in a trance. I recently smoked one from 1998 and all I can say is that some aging makes them only better. I pick up flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, wine, all mixed together in a double cream sauce and served over silk. I love them!