Description
Foundation Highclere Castle Victorian
Size: 6 × 52
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano (High-priming, dark rosado)
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Fillers: Nicaraguan (Estelí and Jalapa)
Flavor Notes: Red pepper, dark cocoa, plum, cedar, clove, black tea, charred oak, leather, baking spice, molasses
Pairing Notes: Tawny port, spiced rum, fig preserves, cinnamon latte, dark chocolate truffles, cherry cola, mulled wine, rye whiskey
Manufacturer: Foundation Cigar Company; produced at AJ Fernandez Cigars, Estelí, Nicaragua
Privada Storytelling
Highclere Castle Victorian is what happens when aristocratic elegance meets Nicaraguan fire. Created by Nick Melillo in collaboration with the Earl of Carnarvon—the current custodian of England’s iconic Highclere Castle (aka “Downton Abbey”)—this blend is a tribute to Victorian refinement filtered through volcanic soil. It's not just highbrow—it’s high drama. For Privada, this cigar speaks to a rare confluence: heritage, craftsmanship, and an unshakable sense of presence. It’s not flashy. It’s formidable. Think velvet chairs, candlelight, and a hidden revolver in a desk drawer.
Flavor Journey
It opens boldly with red pepper and charred oak, followed by waves of dark cocoa and leather. As it settles, rich notes of black tea, clove, and cedar create a layered middle that dances between spicy and savory. Dried plum and molasses sweeten the back half, while baking spice lingers softly on the finish. The smoke is silky but dense, offering both richness and restraint—a regal ride from spark to nub.
Why It Belongs in Privada
Because it’s the cigar that bridges two worlds: old-world aristocracy and new-world power. The Highclere Castle Victorian captures that rare duality—refined but fearless. Privada curates cigars with stories, and this one is layered with centuries of elegance reimagined by a master of modern blending. It’s the kind of cigar that doesn’t just belong in a humidor—it deserves its own cabinet.