Foundation Cigar Company has announced the arrival of the 2025 Tabernacle Knight Commander, the latest annual installment in the brand’s highly regarded limited-edition series. Shipping to retailers nationwide this week, this year’s release remains one of Foundation’s most meaningful projects—both in craftsmanship and in purpose.
Originally introduced in 2022, the Knight Commander vitola was inspired by a milestone in founder Nicholas Melillo’s life: his investiture as a Knight Commander of the Ethiopian Star of Honor. The Imperial Order—established in the late 19th century by Emperor Menelik II—recognizes individuals whose contributions have significantly benefitted the Ethiopian people. For Melillo, the recognition sparked a desire to create a cigar that both honors Ethiopian heritage and supports its preservation.
A Cigar Rooted in Craft and Cultural Respect
The 2025 edition continues the artisanal approach that has defined the line from its inception. Each cigar is wrapped in three-year cedar-aged Connecticut Broadleaf, delivering the deep, rounded flavor and complexity that Broadleaf enthusiasts associate with the Tabernacle pedigree. Foundation’s team paired the wrapper with a meticulously curated blend designed to offer richness, structure, and a dignified smoking profile worthy of the Knight Commander name.
This release is limited to 750 boxes, making it one of Foundation’s most allocated offerings of the year.
A Purpose That Extends Far Beyond the Humidor
More than a sought-after annual release, the Knight Commander project exists to support charitable development in Ethiopia. Foundation donates 100% of its net proceeds from the cigar to programs managed by The Royal Ethiopian Trust (RET). These include educational initiatives, scholarship funding, cultural preservation efforts, and broader humanitarian support.
Melillo describes the project as both a tribute and a responsibility:
“Ethiopia has given so much to the world—from its spiritual lineage to its culture and history. Supporting that legacy is an honor. The Knight Commander release allows our customers to be a part of that work.”
With shipments beginning this week, retailers can expect swift interest from enthusiasts who follow the annual release—and from those eager to support its mission.