Trinidad Fundadores

Description

From 1969 until 1998, the only way to smoke a Trinidad was to receive one as a gift from Fidel Castro himself. Produced exclusively at El Laguito for diplomatic purposes, these cigars existed as Cuba’s most closely guarded secret—given to foreign heads of state and visiting dignitaries while the rest of the world wondered what they were missing. When Trinidad finally went public in February 1998, the Fundadores—”Founders”—led the way. Seven and a half inches of Cuban legend, wearing the distinctive pigtail cap that marks El Laguito’s finest work.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: The Fundadores opens with unexpected delicacy. Floral notes emerge first—almost perfumed, sophisticated, announcing the cigar’s elite origins. Honey sweetness follows, drizzled across the palate like liquid gold. Milk chocolate appears, gentle and creamy rather than dark and intense. Subtle wood and earth ground the sweeter elements, establishing Cuban terroir without aggression. Graham cracker notes develop on the lips, that specific malty sweetness. The retrohale reveals mild cream while draws finish with pleasant grassiness. At this length and gauge, patience pays dividends; the Fundadores rewards those who let it speak.

Mid-Section: The heart of this cigar justifies every year of exclusivity. Graham crackers return as foundation, their nutty sweetness now joined by honey in full bloom. Vanilla and caramel dominate the middle passage—thick, creamy smoke delivering these notes with remarkable clarity. The profile deepens: cocoa powder emerges, then leather, supple and refined. Tobacco flavor becomes prominent in the best way—pure, clean Vuelta Abajo expressing itself. Almonds appear, hay joins the grassiness, creating layers that shift with each draw. Nothing about this progression feels forced; the Fundadores evolves naturally, elegantly.

Final Third: The conclusion transforms the experience without abandoning its character. Roasted coffee emerges, espresso intensity replacing the earlier milk chocolate softness. Cocoa deepens toward dark chocolate territory. Spice awakens—baking spices primarily, cinnamon and perhaps clove. Almonds persist while hay and honey continue their dance. A boozy rum note appears in the finish, tropical and warming. The final inch delivers everything the Fundadores has promised across ninety minutes: complexity without chaos, elegance without pretension, Cuban tobacco at its most refined.

Flavor Profile

The Cohiba Connection

Trinidad is often called Cohiba’s little sister, and the comparison is apt. Both brands were created at El Laguito, both began as government exclusives, both wear the signature pigtail cap. Master blender Raúl Valladares crafted the Fundadores blend specifically for this format—the same length as Cohiba’s legendary Lancero but with a slightly fuller 40 ring gauge versus 38. The key difference: while Cohiba uses triple-fermented tobacco, Trinidad employs double fermentation, creating a distinct profile that’s equally refined but subtly different. Think of Trinidad as the more approachable sibling, the diplomat rather than the revolutionary.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Aged Cuban rum—Havana Club Selección de Maestros or 15 Años. The cigar’s rum finish creates perfect synergy.
• Cognac: VSOP or XO—the length of this smoke justifies bringing out the good brandy.
• Coffee: A proper Cuban espresso at the halfway point refreshes the palate for the intensifying final third.
• Port: Vintage or LBV port, matching the cigar’s dried fruit and chocolate notes with complementary richness.

Ideal For

The Trinidad Fundadores demands commitment—ninety minutes of attention, a comfortable seat, and nothing pressing on your calendar. This is the Saturday afternoon cigar, the celebration smoke, the choice when you want to experience Cuban tobacco at its most elegant. The slim gauge requires patience; rush it and you’ll generate heat that masks the intricate flavors. At this length and quality level, you’re smoking something that diplomats once received as expressions of Cuba’s highest regard. Let that sink in as you watch the ash grow. First-time Cuban smokers might find the commitment challenging, but experienced aficionados will recognize this as one of the finest formats Habanos produces. When you want to understand why Trinidad was worth keeping secret for thirty years, the Fundadores delivers the answer.

Historical Note: The diplomatic Trinidads were actually Laguito No. 1 format (38 ring gauge). When the brand went commercial, they slightly increased the gauge to 40, creating the Laguito Especial vitola specifically for this cigar. Your Fundadores is technically different from what Fidel gave away—and most reviewers agree it’s better for the extra two millimeters of tobacco.