H. Upmann Magnum 50

H. Upmann Magnum 50
Size: 6-3/8 x 50
Box Code: LSO JUN 08
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

Date: 10/17/08
Smoke Time: 98 minutes

Prelight:
This is a very nice looking cigar.  It is well-constructed with no hard or soft spots, and the wrapper is very smooth and has a deep reddish-brown color.  Prelight aromas were spicy and leathery with a hint of jasmine.  Prelight taste was mainly cedar and black tea.

1/3:
The cigar started off with some pleasant leathery and spicy flavors.  They blended well together, and there was not a harsh edge or bite at all.  The draw was perfect, and I got nice, thick clouds of smoke every time.  As this third continued, I began to detect a slight touch of hay at the back of my palate.

 

2/3:
The great flavor combination continued, and the spiciness became a little more pronounced.  The leathery flavors still created a nice background to the cigar.  The hay flavors in the back of my palate from the first third evolved into a creaminess – this really rounded out the flavor profile nicely.

 

3/3:
The flavors intensified slightly with the spiciness concentrating a bit, and the leathery flavors becoming a bit sharper.  I was able to smoke this cigar right to the nub without it heating up excessively, and without any harshness or bitterness at all.

 

Overall:
An excellent cigar that was enjoyable to smoke.  The flavor combinations and evolution were right up my alley.  The nice leathery and spicy flavors were consistent throughout, and provided a nice foundation to some evolving flavors that I found at the back of my palate and in my nose.  With this much character at such a young age, I will look forward to trying these with a few years on them to see how they develop!

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H. Upmann Monarcas (2001)

H. Upmann Monarcas
7 x 47
Box Code: SLA MAY 01
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Date: 10-03-08
Smoke Time: 110 minutes

Prelight:
A beautifully constructed cigar covered with a smooth light-brown wrapper.  There was a small tear in the wrapper at about the halfway point of the cigar, and not other defects or major veins.  The cigar had a pretty fair box press – likely due to a 7+ year nap in a dress box.  Prelight aroma was dominated by a pleasant spicy mustiness.  There were also hints of salt and cedar.  Prelight taste consisited of raisins, a touch of sweetness, and leather.

 

 

1/3:
The draw was a touch tighter than I prefer, but it was not distracting at all.  The cigar started right off with some very pleasant leathery flavors that filled my mouth.  There was also the slightest hint of the saltiness that I found in the prelight aroma.  This third is very smooth and well-balanced.

 

2/3:
The leather flavors became a little more subdued, with a subtle grassiness moving to the forefront.  A very slight spiciness also mixed in with the grassiness as this third progressed.  It was very subtle – just barely noticable – and it was a great compliment to the grassiness.

 

3/3:
The spiciness intensified just a little bit, but it is still a small overall part of the flavor profile.  The grassiness has transitioned back to the leather of the first third, but this time it is a very smooth wet leather flavor.  It is not heating up at all, and the cigar is still very tasty.

 

Overall:
I really enjoyed this cigar!   It was a very smooth and refined smoke, with an interesting evolution of flavors that certainly kept my interest.  I think that the age has really made this into a smooth and enjoyable cigar without any bite or twang at all.  Definitely recommended!