Lighting up a cigar has always been a favorite pastime for me, especially when the cigar carries a rich history and strong personal connections. Today, I’m excited to discuss the H. Upmann Petit Corona. It’s crafted from fine tobacco in the Pinar del Río region, a place often hailed for its exceptional tobacco. Although some may argue it’s the best, I think great tobacco can come from anywhere.
Each cigar size offers a unique experience, and this one reminds me a bit of what JFK enjoyed. While it’s slightly larger, JFK’s exact cigar no longer exists, making this one a special find from my last visit to Havana.
On one of my recent adventures to Cuba, I brought back a box of these cigars, which I had picked up at a delightful lounge. Those moments spent on Vadeo Beach were incomparable, surrounded by turquoise waters and warm sand.
This cigar has a mellow taste, perfect for morning coffee, and its size is great if you’re not up for a lengthy smoke. It’s gracefully constructed without noticeable veins sticking out, and the gentle flavors, with hints of nuttiness and spice, provide a pleasant experience as I reminisce about my travels.
As I prepare for another trip this June, I’m eager to relive those moments again and extend an invitation to others to explore these wonders as well.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction to H. Upmann Petit Corona with Cuban roots
- Nostalgic moments and personal connections with the cigar
- Unique size and mellow taste make it perfect for a short, relaxing smoke
History and Significance of the H. Upmann Petit Corona
The H. Upmann Petit Corona comes right out of Havana, Cuba, using tobacco from the appealing Pinar del Río region, especially the Vuelta Abajo zone. While it’s known for growing some of the finest tobacco, I believe good tobacco is grown all over the world nowadays. At one point, though, this was the magic zone for tobacco cultivation.
This particular cigar size isn’t exactly the one that JFK favored; it’s a bit larger. The original was discontinued, but this version was introduced in 2011. I remember bringing a box back from a trip to Cuba last June. I got them from a cool lounge, and they remind me of sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of Varadero with turquoise water and white sand. I smoked many of these during that trip, definitely planning to grab another box when I go back this June.
The cigar has an appealing look with an oily sheen and smooth wrapper, free of major bumps and veins. It features a triple cap, and I enjoy this petite size even if some people don’t.
It’s perfect for a quick morning coffee smoke as it doesn’t demand much time. It’s not too strong, just mellow enough for a laid-back morning. However, it might not be the right choice for a leisurely afternoon or while playing golf.
Lighting one up reveals a pleasant, easy draw with a roasted, nutty flavor complemented by a hint of spice, mostly mellow with undertones of black pepper on the retrohale. Perfect for pairing with coffee, it has an earthy, grassy hint too.
Moving into the second third, the flavor remains consistent, now with a hint of vanilla adding a sweet touch. The pepper’s slightly more noticeable but still mild overall.
As I reach the final third of the cigar, the smoke begins to warm, which unfortunately introduces some bitterness. The flavors remain as before – peppery, nutty, and woodsy – with a touch more strength in the pepper.
It’s not a mind-blowing smoke, but definitely satisfying, especially when enjoyed in the right setting.
Discovering Penar del Rio’s Tobacco
I recently enjoyed an H Upmann Petite Corona and, wow, what a treat. The tobacco in this cigar comes from Penar del Rio, specifically the acclaimed Vuelta Abajo region in Cuba. While some say it’s the best tobacco-growing place worldwide, I think many areas are growing great tobacco now. Still, the tobacco here definitely offers something special.
The Petite Corona is similar in size to the ones JFK used to smoke, and it’s perfect for a quick morning smoke. It’s not too strong, making it a mellow start to the day with a cup of coffee.
When I first lit it up, I got this wonderful roasted, nutty flavor with a touch of black pepper. The spice sits on the back of your tongue, and it’s nice because it’s not overpowering.
During my trips, I’ve smoked quite a few of these cigars along beautiful beaches. The cigar reminds me of sunbathing by the sea, under such a gorgeous sky. The ocean was just the right temperature, the sand so white, and the water that perfect shade of turquoise. That kind of setting makes everything taste better, even the smoke.
In the second third, there was a new sweet vanilla hint, but the main flavors stayed the same. The nutty taste was still there, and the pepper picked up a little, but not much. By the time I reached the final part, the cigar got warm and slightly bitter. I decided it was time to put it down, but it was still an enjoyable experience.
This cigar might not win awards for complexity, but it definitely holds its own. Whether on the beach or in your living room with coffee, it’s just a nice, easy-going smoke.
Personal Stories and Cigar Size Choices
I often find myself drawn to the H. Upmann Petite Corona from Cuba, especially considering its roots in the famous tobacco region of Pinar del Río. It’s a bit like stepping into history, especially since this size is quite similar to the ones that JFK used to enjoy. While cigar making has evolved globally, I can’t help but appreciate the tradition that this cigar represents.
During a trip to Cuba last June, I picked up a box of these cigars from a charming lounge we stumbled upon. Enjoying them on Vedado Beach was a treat, with the beautiful turquoise water and white sand providing a stunning backdrop. Those moments smoking with friends on the beach are truly unforgettable, and experiences like these often influence my cigar choices.
The Petite Corona is a perfect morning companion—its smaller size makes it great for a quick smoke with coffee. While some prefer larger cigars for leisurely activities like golfing, I love a cigar that’s mild, easy, and won’t take up too much time. Its mellow nature with flavors of roasted nuts and pepper make it gentle enough for a morning soother.
Joining me on a Cuba trip is a wonderful chance to explore these cigars in their homeland. We take small groups to places like Old Havana and Pinar del Río, ending with the serene Vedado Beach. If you’re interested, check out cigarbon.com for details; I’d love to share this experience with fellow enthusiasts.
Looks and Build Highlights
The H. Upmann Petite Corona has a visually appealing look with a nice oily shine on the wrapper. There aren’t any large or noticeable veins, making it smooth to the feel. It features a triple cap, which adds to its classic construction style.
I love its size. It’s perfect for a quick morning smoke with coffee. Some people might find it too small, especially if they’re looking for a longer smoking experience, like when playing golf. For me, it’s ideal.
When examining the structure, the draw is pleasing and not blocked, making it easy to enjoy. It’s a mellow cigar, and though it doesn’t offer much complexity, it maintains a roasted, nutty, and slightly peppery profile.
Lighting Up the Experience
I’m about to light the H. Upmann Petit Corona from Havana, Cuba. The tobacco is from the Vuelta Abajo region, known for its amazing quality. I have my thoughts on this; while it’s a classic choice, other places in the world also grow stellar tobacco.
This cigar is similar to the one JFK enjoyed, though slightly larger. The Petite Corona came out in 2011, and I brought a box back from a fun trip to Cuba last June. Some of my best memories involve this cigar, sitting on Varadero Beach, enjoying the warm ocean and turquoise water.
It looks gorgeous with an oily sheen and smooth surface. The size is just right for me, perfect for a morning coffee without eating up too much time. It’s mellow, so it won’t overpower your morning.
The first few puffs bring out a roasted, nutty taste with a bit of spice. It’s so easy to light and enjoy—a great pairing with coffee, especially if you add cream. It finishes with a slight peppery note but remains gentle and mellow throughout.
As I move into the second third, a touch of vanilla sweetness joins the original flavors. The peppery kick gets a bit stronger but not by much. There’s a subtle woodsy note, though this cigar doesn’t throw a lot of surprises.
By the final third, it warms up, getting slightly bitter, which is a sign for me to stop. That said, it’s still a good smoke, even if it isn’t groundbreaking. This cigar might not change your life, but it’s a nice companion, especially when you’re in the right mood.
First Impressions of the Cigar
I lit up the H. Upmann Petite Corona, and it was an easy start. This cigar has been in my humidor for about eight months, which seems to have helped it settle in really nicely. As soon as I started, I noticed a roasted, nutty taste with a hint of spice hitting the back of my tongue. There’s also a gentle black pepper note that stays around, but nothing too strong.
It’s a mellow cigar, making it great for a morning smoke with a cup of coffee. If you like your coffee with half and half, the nuttiness of this cigar makes a perfect match. Even though I drink my coffee black, I can see how the cream would enhance the flavors.
There’s a touch of earthiness and a hint of grass, but they’re not very strong. The main flavors are the roasted nuts and a bit of pepper, especially noticeable when exhaling through the nose. It’s a nice, gentle smoke overall, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops as I keep smoking.
Moving into the Next Part
As I continue smoking the cigar, I’ve noticed that the flavors in this second portion remain pretty consistent. There’s a touch of vanilla sweetness now, adding a little twist to the taste. The black pepper note has become slightly more noticeable, but it hasn’t changed much overall.
It’s still got that nutty flavor, kind of like peanuts, which I really enjoy. The woodsy undertone is still there, though it’s not very pronounced.
I’m finding that the draw is just perfect—smooth and not blocked in any way. The construction holds up well, too, which is great because I dislike when cigars start to unravel or burn unevenly.
The mellow nature of the cigar makes it easy to enjoy without having to focus too much on complex flavor changes.
The cigar has been sitting in my humidor for a while, and I think it has settled nicely, making it a pleasant, mild smoke. With these flavors, it pairs nicely with a cup of coffee, especially if you enjoy creaminess that complements the nutty notes. This is a nice point in the cigar to just sit back and relax, maybe reflect on a great time spent in Cuba enjoying the scenery and smoking a few more just like it.
Final Moments and My Thoughts
The last part of this H Upmann petite Corona brought a few changes. The cigar started to warm up, and I couldn’t smoke it slow enough to keep it cool.
As it got warmer, some bitterness crept in, which signaled me to wrap it up.
Flavors stayed mostly the same—pepper, a hint of wood, and that nutty undertone. I did notice a slight increase in pepper during this final bit, but it wasn’t a huge shift.
There weren’t any big surprises or new tastes coming through, just the familiar ones.
Conclusion? While it didn’t blow me away, it was a nice, mellow smoke. It’s not something you’d rush to buy, but in the right setting, like on the beach with good company, it’s pleasant enough.
Here’s a quick summary of the experience:
- Pepper: Slightly more noticeable toward the end
- Woodsy and Nutty: Consistent throughout
- Comfortably Mild: No overwhelming flavors
It’s a steady, relaxing smoke, perfect for a quiet morning.
