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The Highclere Castle Senetjer is a 6 3/4 x 52 Nicaraguan-made perfecto in seventh-priming Ecuadorian Habano leaf, created to honor the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Cigar Insider scored it 88 in February 2023, and we sell it as singles.
70 in stock
Description
The Highclere Castle Senetjer is a 6 3/4 x 52 perfecto from Foundation Cigar Co., dressed in seventh-priming Ecuadorian Habano leaf over a Brazilian Mata Fina binder. A.J. Fernandez makes it in Nicaragua, per Cigar Aficionado; Foundation keeps the filler secret, though Cigar Insider lists it as Nicaraguan.
What It Tastes Like
Cigar Insider, Cigar Aficionado’s newsletter, scored the Senetjer 88 points on February 21, 2023, before the 2023 edition shipped, and rated it medium-full. Through a firm draw it found citrus, herbs, vanilla and anise, closing herbal. Cigar Coop’s William Cooper also gave the 2022 cigars 88 (August 30, 2023): earthiness ran throughout, with cedar, chocolate, orange peel and baking spice early on, medium strength, and body that built to medium-full.
Who It’s For
- Egyptology buffs, given its Tutankhamun theme.
- Anyone with a free evening: halfwheel’s three review samples averaged 1 hour 52 minutes.
- Perfecto fans who like a tapered foot that widens as it burns.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cigar Insider reported an even burn
- Foundation says the box copies a storage box found in Tutankhamun’s tomb
Cons
- Cigar Coop needed frequent burn touch-ups
- Draw reports split: firm for Cigar Insider, a little open for Cigar Coop
- Foundation has not disclosed the filler
About the Highclere Castle Senetjer
Shown at the 2022 PCA trade show, it reached stores in November 2022, a century after Howard Carter and George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, whose family home is Highclere Castle, found Tutankhamun’s tomb. Foundation’s Highclere brand is a partnership with the 8th Earl. Foundation announced at the 2023 PCA show that it would return every November, and Cigar Coop reported the 2024 blend unchanged.
Pairing and Storage
For a medium cigar with chocolate notes, try the coffee or espresso option in our cigar pairing guide.
Compare Similar Cigars
- Highclere Castle Victorian Toro: a straight 6 x 52 with the same Habano Ecuador and Mata Fina pairing, per Foundation.
- Highclere Castle Victorian Churchill: the Victorian blend stretched to 7 x 48.
- Highclere Castle Edwardian Toro: 6 x 52 in Connecticut Shade, which Foundation rates mild to medium.
Highclere Castle Senetjer FAQ
How strong is the Highclere Castle Senetjer?
Foundation calls it medium, and Cigar Coop scored its strength medium in August 2023. Cigar Insider placed it a notch higher, at medium-full, in February 2023.
What does the name Senetjer mean?
Foundation says it is the ancient Egyptian word for incense, a term it also links to making something holy.
Is the Senetjer a maduro cigar?
No source we checked calls it one. Foundation lists a seventh-priming Habano Ecuador wrapper, which Cigar Insider described as dark and oily.
Who makes the Senetjer?
Nick Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Co., under its Highclere Castle partnership with the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. Cigar Aficionado says A.J. Fernandez makes it in Nicaragua, and halfwheel names the factory as Tabacalera AJ Fernandez.
Our Foundation cigars page gathers the Senetjer’s Highclere Castle stablemates and Nick Melillo’s other blends.
Additional information
| Packaging Type | Single |
|---|---|
| Strength | Medium |
| Origin | |
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano |
| Binder | Brazilian Mata Fina |
| Filler | Nicaraguan |
| Length | 6 3/4" |
| Gauge | 52 |
