Highclere Cigar Company, a collaboration between George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, owner of the renowned Highclere Castle Estate in Hampshire, England, and Nicholas Melillo of Foundation Cigar Company, debuted its first cigar in 2017. It featured an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, evoking the cigars enjoyed at Highclere Castle. Two years later, they launched the Highclere Castle Victorian, inspired by the cigars imported to England during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), introducing a Habano offering to their lineup.
At the time the Highclere Castle Victorian was introduced, Earl Carnarvon stated: “Highclere House was transformed into the inspirational Victorian Castle, much loved today, during a time of confidence and exploration in the world. Cigars were smoked at home by leading statesmen, such the Prime Minister Lord Salisbury, a close friend of my great, great grandfather. In fact, Queen Victoria’s, husband, Prince Albert, helped improve Anglo-French relations by smoking cigars with Napoleon III. Good food, good wine and the best cigars have been part of our weekends, entertaining friends and guests from around the world.”
Today, let’s delve into the Robusto size of the Highclere Castle Victorian for a closer examination.
About Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto
Owner: Nicholas Melillo
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí, and Ometepe grown Corojo and Criollo)
Strength: Medium – Full
Size: Robusto (5″ x 50)
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.havanahouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Foundation-Highclere-Castle-Victorian-Robusto-1024x576.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.havanahouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Foundation-Highclere-Castle-Victorian-Robusto-1024x576.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
The Beginning
The Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto started out with notes of sweet natural tobacco, earth and cedar. The natural tobacco moved to the forefront while the earth and cedar settled in the background.
The Middle
By the middle of the Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto, the natural tobacco lost some of its sweetness. The earth notes increased in intensity and by the midway point, the earth joined the natural tobacco in the last third. It was also around this time that the cedar and pepper started to get much stronger.
The End
As the cigar moved into the final third, the beautiful natural tobacco and earth combination remained in the forefront. The pepper now was now fleeting away on the primary notes. There are little bursts of cedar notes still in the background.
Burn & Draw
The cigar maintained a straight burn path and had a straight burn line. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both were perfect for me.
In terms of draw the Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto had a touch of resistance.
Overall
The Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto started out with medium strength and medium body. Along the way there was a gradual increase in the intensity of both. While there was more in the way of strength and body at the end of the cigar. The flavours are so pure in this cigar and it was enjoyable from the very start to the finish that I didn’t want to end.
Ross Rating: 8/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto with?
The Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto will pair fantastically with the Highclere Castle London Dry Gin (70cl / 43.5%).
A London Dry gin from Highclere Castle (which you may recognise from Downton Abbey!), produced in what is said to be England’s oldest gin distillery, with stills dating back to the 1800s. Juniper has grown on the site since the days of the Romans, so it’s almost like gin was destined to be made here. The botanicals are influenced by the castle’s garden, including juniper, lime flower, orange peel, lavender and estate-grown oats. The result is a classic gin that shines simply with tonic and a wedge of lime.
What soft drink would I pair the Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto with?
Coca Cola Lemon!
Would I smoke the Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto again?
I have fond memories of this cigar, the first time sampling it was with the Earl of Carnarvon. I would happily smoke this cigar at any opportunity.