In order to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of H. Upmann, Altadis USA tapped AJ Fernandez to create a limited edition cigar that is available in just one size. The Churchill is available in 10 count boxes with a total production of 14, 750. The cigar also utilizes a Medio Tiempo wrapper which is only grown on 1 out of 12 tobacco plants above the ligero leaves. Usually these leaves are smaller in size, so finding one to serve as the wrapper is a daunting task. Once harvested the wrapper underwent a 3 year of an intricate fermentation process before dressing the cigar. Today we serve up our review of this brand that began in 1844.
Cigar: H. Upmann 175th Anniversary
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Medio Tiempo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Churchill
The Look: The 175th packaging of the H. Upmann is simply stunning with the 10 Churchill size cigars sitting in the own compartments. Inside the box is a challenge coin which is a nice touch. The cigar features a foot band that completely covers the foot of the cigar denoting its made by AJ Fernandez. The primary band denotes the brand in white lettering on a gold background with a some black. As far as the Medio Tiempo wrapper it is simply flawless with some subtle crystals on the wrapper. It has a chocolate like appearance to it and under the fingers in feels like velvet.
The Notes: Once the cap is clipped the cold draw is incredibly sweet with notes of cherry and mocha while the aroma of the foot of the cigar has more of the aforementioned mocha with a subtle hint of pepper that almost causes a sneeze. Once we toast the cigar there is a quick hit of the cherry notes with some subtle pecans.
Moving into the first third of the H. Upmann 175th Anniversary there is so much going on that it is almost sensory overload. There are notes of orange rind that coat the palate giving the cigar a citrus feel of an island cocktail. The finish offers up notes of mocha that create a desert like feel to the cigar. The retrohale offers up notes of subtle pepper and coffee. Put them all together and you have this incredibly rich flavor profile that provides an experience that is simply divine.
Moving on to the second third the cigar begins to take on the creamy aspect of a Vienna Fingers cookie complete with the creme filling. If you haven’t had one they have a sweet vanilla taste. As we approach the half way point the vanilla notes disappear as espresso and nutty notes take control of the palate. The retrohale offers up an abundance of pepper, but when that subsides there is a chocolate component that lingers on the palate.
As we smoke the final third the notes of the cigar become a dominant espresso with lingering notes of pepper. As I smoke this cigar into the final inch a subtle cocoa begins to emerge on a short puff which provides a welcomed sweetness to offset the spices. The retrohale serves up a bit of birch and continued pepper with a long coffee finish.
The Finish: While the future of Altadis USA is cloudy with the company expected to be sold in the near future one thing is for certain; the premium cigar division, specifically newer blends are flourishing with Rafael Nodal the Head of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA at the helm. The company has stepped into a new era bringing them into the modern day outside their traditional cigar brands. The H. Upmann 175th Anniversary is an amazing cigar with my only knock on it being it is a limited edition that won’t be around long.
Score: 96
Price: $17.99 / $161.99
H. Upmann 175th Anniversary
H. Upmann 175th Anniversary Foot
H. Upmann 175th Anniversary Burn
