Foundation The Tabernacle Knight Commander (6.75" x 52)

The Foundation The Tabernacle Knight Commander is a Nicaragua-made, Full-strength Perfecto measuring 6.75" × 52 from Foundation's The Tabernacle line. It combines a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan filler from Estelí and Jalapa. The annual limited-production release receives an additional 15 months of cedar aging after rolling.

Foundation The Tabernacle Knight Commander Specifications

Foundation's official product information confirms the blend, dimensions, Perfecto format, Full strength, and 12-count box configuration. Industry reporting identifies Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. as the production factory and documents the additional 15 months of cedar aging.

Connecticut Broadleaf Over San Andrés and Nicaraguan Filler

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is the outer leaf of the Knight Commander blend, paired with a Mexican San Andrés binder and filler tobacco from Nicaragua's Estelí and Jalapa growing regions.

That composition connects an American-grown Broadleaf wrapper with a Mexican binder and a Nicaraguan filler core. Unlike the regular Tabernacle CT Broadleaf blend, Foundation's current Knight Commander specification names only Estelí and Jalapa for the filler rather than adding Honduran tobacco.

For buyers comparing Broadleaf cigars within TRP's catalog, the important distinction is therefore the verified tobacco structure rather than assuming Knight Commander uses every component found in other Tabernacle releases.

Knight Commander Perfecto at 6.75 × 52

Knight Commander is produced as a 6.75" × 52 Perfecto, a double-tapered format created specifically for this release. Cigar Aficionado reports that it has remained the sole Knight Commander size across its annual releases.

A 52 ring gauge equals 52/64 of an inch at the cigar's measured diameter. The tapered Perfecto shape distinguishes Knight Commander from straight-sided The Tabernacle formats such as the 6 × 52 Toro and 5 × 50 Robusto listed in TRP's product sitemap.

The size identifies the physical format only. Strength is a separate attribute, and Foundation classifies Knight Commander as Full.

Full Strength and the Documented Knight Commander Profile

Foundation lists Knight Commander at Full strength, placing it within TRP's Full-strength cigar collection.

Foundation's current official Knight Commander page does not publish a formal tasting-note list. An independent Cigar Coop review of the 2024 release documented mocha, earth, baker's spice, cedar, pepper, coffee, and cocoa during the smoking progression; these are reviewer observations rather than manufacturer-stated flavors.

For that reason, the previous TRP list of cocoa, espresso, earth, cedar, pepper, and molasses should not be presented as a manufacturer flavor profile unless Foundation publishes those notes specifically for Knight Commander.

Tabacalera AJ Fernandez and the Knight Commander Release

Knight Commander is produced in Nicaragua at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. for Foundation Cigar Company. The blend belongs to The Tabernacle collection, but its Perfecto format, extended aging, packaging, and charitable purpose distinguish it from the core line.

The release followed Nicholas Melillo receiving the title Knight Commander of the Ethiopian Star of Honor from the Ethiopian Crown Council. Foundation says the honor inspired the cigar and states that 100% of its net wholesale proceeds support the Royal Ethiopian Trust.

Knight Commander debuted in 2023 and has continued as an annual limited-production release. Cigar Aficionado reported 700 twelve-count boxes for the 2024 edition and 750 boxes for the 2025 edition, so production quantity should not be treated as permanently fixed from year to year.

Each release receives an additional 15 months of cedar aging after rolling, a product-specific distinction documented by Nicholas Melillo and repeated in current industry coverage.

Who the Full-Strength Perfecto Format Suits

The combination of Full strength, Connecticut Broadleaf, a 52 ring gauge, and a tapered Perfecto format makes Knight Commander most relevant to buyers intentionally comparing stronger Nicaraguan cigars and special-format Foundation releases.

For pairing, the Broadleaf-and-San-Andrés composition can be approached with espresso, an aged rum, or a higher-cacao dark chocolate alongside the cigar. These are pairing suggestions derived from the blend's documented characteristics, not manufacturer specifications.

For storage beyond immediate use, maintain the cigars in a stable cigar-storage environment rather than relying on the retail packaging for long-term humidity control. TRP's humidors provide dedicated storage options, while an appropriate cigar cutter can be used to prepare the tapered head carefully.

Buying Knight Commander Through TRP Cigars

TRP carries Knight Commander alongside a broader Foundation cigar selection, giving buyers a direct path to compare the annual Perfecto with Foundation's regular-production Tabernacle formats. TRP's sitemap confirms the Knight Commander product as well as multiple Foundation and Tabernacle products.

TRP states that it was founded in 2005 and operates a physical lounge in Cedarhurst, New York. Tobacco purchases are subject to the site's 21+ age-verification policy, and customers can review TRP's shipping policy before ordering.

Foundation The Tabernacle Knight Commander FAQs

What is the Foundation Knight Commander cigar?

Knight Commander is an annual limited-production Perfecto in Foundation's The Tabernacle line. It measures 6.75" × 52 and uses Connecticut Broadleaf over Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan filler from Estelí and Jalapa.

Why is it called Knight Commander?

The name commemorates Nicholas Melillo receiving the title Knight Commander of the Ethiopian Star of Honor from the Ethiopian Crown Council. Foundation created the cigar as a tribute to that recognition and connects the release to support for the Royal Ethiopian Trust.

Is The Tabernacle Knight Commander a limited-edition cigar?

Yes. Knight Commander is produced as an annual limited release rather than a standard continuously produced Tabernacle vitola. Production counts have varied by year, including 700 twelve-count boxes in 2024 and 750 in 2025.

What strength is Foundation Knight Commander?

Foundation officially classifies Knight Commander as Full strength. Strength should be kept separate from body and flavor; Foundation's current product page does not publish a separate body rating for this cigar.

How long is Knight Commander aged?

Knight Commander receives an additional 15 months of cedar aging after the cigars are rolled. That extra aging distinguishes the release from Foundation's standard Tabernacle formats and has been documented across multiple annual editions.

Where is Foundation Knight Commander made?

Knight Commander is made in Nicaragua at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. Its filler tobacco comes specifically from the Nicaraguan regions of Estelí and Jalapa.

Cocoa, espresso, earth, cedar, pepper, molasses

The Foundation Tabernacle Knight Commander (6.75" x 52) is a full-bodied premium cigar with a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that delivers a rich and heritage-inspired smoking experience. Expect notes of cocoa, espresso, earth, cedar, pepper, molasses woven through a smooth draw and steady construction. It is a strong choice for customers looking for nicaraguan character, reliable craftsmanship and an easy pairing with coffee or spirits.