H. Upmann Connossieur 'A' (MAR 2024)

HISTORY

Herman Upmann was a banker from Germany who so loved Cuban cigars that he moved to Havana in 1844 and set up as both banker and cigar maker. His bank closed in the early 1920s but his cigars live on as a fine example of an elegant, light to medium flavoured Havana.

The brand is particularly welcome in the UK as Hunters & Frankau has represented H. Upmann in Britain since the 1850s and, between 1925 and 1937, owned the factory in Havana as well as the worldwide brand rights.

Amongst the best-known H. Upmann sizes are the Magnum 46, Magnum 50 and Magnum 54. As the name suggests Magnums have heavy girths – the number represents the ring gauge of each size. Other important sizes include the Sir Winston, the Connoisseur No.1 and in smaller vitolas the Corona J and Half Corona, which was introduced in 2011.

H. Upmann’s blend is composed exclusively of filler and binder tobaccos grown in the Vuelta Abajo zone and all sizes are ‘tripa larga, totalmente a mano’ – long filler, totally handmade.

This is the first time that the Genios vitola has been used outside Cohiba. The Connoisseur A is reserved throughout the world for sale only in Casa del Habano and shops that qualify as Havana Cigar Specialists.

TASTING NOTES

Expect notes of creamy cedar, roasted coffee bean, and dark honey sweetness. The complexity quickly builds, revealing layers of earthy leather, mild cocoa, and a distinct, lingering black pepper spice.

The cigar's rich balance of creaminess, earth, and spice makes it an ideal match for powerful, complex drinks, such as a Full-Bodied XO Cognac, an Aged Dark Rum, or a Spicy Rye Whiskey.

CIGAR INFORMATION

Country of Origin: Cuba

Flavour profile: Light to Medium-bodied

Vitola: Genios

Size: 52 ring gauge, 5 1/2 inches

Smoking time: 50 minutes