H. Upmann Coronas Majors Tubo

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.

H. Upmann was the first brand anywhere in the world to introduce the cedar-lined aluminium tube for cigars. This was not the first size to be tubed, but it has been on the UK market since 1937, so it has passed muster with many smokers.

TASTING NOTES

The cigar starts slightly sweeter than the Junior, with notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon, and honey on the cold draw. Once lit, it shifts to a nice balance of creamy vanilla, sweet cedar, and citrus zest. In the second half, the strength builds slightly, and a finish of clean espresso and earthy spice notes.

This cigar's building strength and rich, herbal finish make it a superb match for a dark, complex drink, such as a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Highland or Speyside Single Malt Scotch, or a rich, dark Double Espresso.

CIGAR INFORMATION

Country of Origin: Cuba

Flavour profile: Light to Medium-bodied

Vitola: Mareva/Eminente

Size: 42 ring gauge, 5 1/8 inches

Smoking time: 30 minutes