Shhhh....this cigar is top secret!  Okay, not really.  However, the binder and filler ingredients are undisclosed as of this review.  The Foundry is labeled a " Steampunk" homage with each size being named after a famous Steampunk personality like H.G. Wells, for example.  As soon as I walked into the humidor at The Market my eyes went right to the display of these cigars.  After some deliberation I selected the Talbot.  How did it smoke?  Let''s see....

Construction: The Talbot is a massive 60 ring gauge monster with few veins and a gorgeous wrapper that looks like African Cameroon although it isn't.  Coupled with the awesome presentation the Foundry brand really stands out in the crowd.  As you read the review you will notice a flaw in the construction....

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Because of the funky gear-band the cellophane only covers two thirds of the cigar...held in place with normal scotch tape...something I found interesting.  The aroma is very light with a sweet tobacco aroma and an odd spice I can't quite place.  Cutting this big monster was less of a chore than I thought it would be.  My cutters will accommodate maybe 52 ring cigars so I was about to reach for the punch cutter. However, my cutters snipped off about a 50 ring section that allowed for a perfect draw....not too open or too closed.

Light and Burn: For something so beefy the Talbot blazed to life with two matches (lit at the same time).  The burn started out perfect...and then went wonky for the first half and inch before I corrected it.  I noticed that the burn felt fragile.  I had to touch it up a few times....and then about halfway through the cigar during a nice long drag I heard a crackling sound....sure enough the wrapper split like an earthquake fault as I watched.  Certainly not something that will score well.

Tasting: The flavors of the Foundry are not super complex but do exhibit some nice leather, earth, and oak.  There are some unusual spices in the mix as well.  I picked up a mild coffee bean flavor too but the majority of the profile is a dry earth and spice.  The filler and binder are, as of this review, undisclosed.  I do know that one of the filler components is an unusual Brazilian leaf.  Overall an unusually good and interesting cigar.

Value: At around $9 the Talbot is fairly pricey....and considering the wrapper exploded on me, I am not a happy consumer.

Final Thoughts: The flavor profile of this cigar is certainly unique.  In a market that is flooded with run-of-the-mill cigars, I have to applaud General Cigar for trying something new.  Sadly, the wrapper explosion on this particular stick killed the cigar for me.  I am lamenting passing the La Gloria Cubana Trunk Show in favor of the slick presentation of the Foundry line.  I will try another of these for sure....and keep my fingers crossed for better craftsmanship.  Wrapper issue not withstanding, I recommend trying this new and exciting smoke.

Wrapper: New proprietary eight year old H-47 Pleno Sol
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown five tobacco blend from four countries...one of them Brazil according to my sources

Strength: Medium

Size: 5X60

Absolutely gorgeous presentation!

Even my ten year old son thought this one looked cool.  I promised the gear to him.

Everything looks good so far......and then....

Kablooey!  The split was so bad I had to put it out....