H. Upmann is one of the oldest brands in the cigar industry, and their blends have always been a consistent part of my rotation for many years. Every time I light up a cigar carrying the H. Upmann brand, I always expect a spectacular experience — every blend always delivers, so my expectations are no different with the H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum.
However, with the wide variety of top-quality cigars available in the market nowadays, my beloved H. Upmann seems to be getting lost in my shuffle. Today, I was having a tough time deciding what I want to light up, so I resolved that it was time to revisit a favorite.
| Wrapper Origin: Ecuador | Shape: Toro |
| Length: 6 | Ring: 54 |
| Wrapper: Habano | List Price: $126 (Box of 21) |
| Origin: Honduras | Strength: Medium |
Pull of Cigar
The H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum comes bundled in a striking red-and-yellow band that enhances the cigar’s oily dark brown Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper leaf. Beneath it, a Connecticut Broadleaf binder envelops a premium blend of long-filler tobaccos hailing from Nicaragua and Honduras.
Construction-wise, this Magnum has a firm and well-packed feel about it, with no soft areas running its length. I noticed a small hole in the wrapper near its seam, but the cigar smoked just fine even with this minor flaw. It has a few prominent veins but no obtrusive ones.
The pre-light aroma also exudes a captivating smell of sweet baking spices, honeysuckle, cocoa, and cedar. I get a lovely sweet cedar mixed with a mild, spicy tobacco taste on the cold draw. The pull of the cigar was a bit on the tight side, maintaining a fair bit of resistance throughout the smoke. Everything about the H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum tempts me to fire up the foot and puff a smoke right away.
Taste
The H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum goes right into stride, lighting up with ease. Appealing flavors of chocolate and woody sweetness presented themselves in the first act, accompanied by a hint of fruitiness in the background. A well-aged Cognac made a fitting companion to the sweet, spicy, and rich flavors gracing my palate as I smoke.
After a few more puffs, my palate was flooded with a heavy dose of cedar, wood, and leathery tobacco. There is also a slight sensation of sweet spice on the tongue. A touch of red pepper revealed itself as wisps of the rich, aromatic smoke stream into the air.
The second third did not offer much in terms of the evolution of flavor. However, its consistent flavors became bolder with every draw. I pick out subtle hints of sweet blueberry before a bitter aftertaste settles over my tongue. About halfway in, the woody flavor relents, and the sweetness soars through the roof.
Lush clouds of white smoke consistently billow up through the air, encapsulating the room with desirable aromas. The char line of the cigar is a bit wavy, but the ash is an ideal snow white and held firm for over an inch before it gracefully fell onto my ashtray with a single thump.
Finishing up in the final third, the notes of wood and cedar are still at center stage. At the same time, a delightful surge of creaminess commands the attention of the palate. The sweetness that appeared towards the close of the first third gets pushed to the background as the spice starts to ramp up with every draw. The cigar offered delightful fruity flavors followed by a blast of leather notes, primarily through the retrohale. Fleeting notes of chocolate proceeds to make an impression while a long spicy finish starts to unfold.
Towards the very end, this Magnum heats up a bit too much for me, but I am so drawn to the exquisite flavors of the final third that I am willing to push through and nub this cigar. Unfortunately, it got too tough to keep the cigar burning, so I had to relight it several times which only hurt the profile and turned the smoke harsh and bitter. I took a few final bitter draws until I was eventually forced to put the cigar down.
Overall
After a wonderful time with this premium cigar, The H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum has lived up to my expectations. There were few imperfections throughout the smoke, but overall, the construction of the cigar was spot-on. Every draw had a desirable restraint that billows with thick, smooth, and creamy white smoke. As for the flavors, I could say that the second half was empirically better than the first.
Although my pleasant experience was cut short before the anticipated finale, the consistency of flavors that I realize is swaying me to the overall positive reaction I get from this blend. If I come across more of these H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum, I will surely purchase a pack or two to keep stocked away to age beautifully in my humidor. I’m sure that with a couple more months of aging, this blend will be more cohesive and complex from start to finish.
My experience with this particular stick wasn’t the best I had from an H. Upmann blend, but it was still an enjoyable cigar. You don’t need a sophisticated palate to enjoy an H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum. The flavors are quite straightforward and there are no nuanced overlapping flavors that will require a seasoned palate to pick out.
I give this an 85-point rating. This Magnum is not perfectly refined, but it intrigued me enough that I’d like to smoke another one, probably with a cup of cinnamon-spiced chai the next time.
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H. Upmann Connoisseur
H. Upmann Connoisseur cigars are a testament to the great Cuban legacy of the brand. It comes with a vintage chocolate wrapper that hails from Connecticut. It also uses binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic. Every piece of the Connoisseur gives you a smooth and medium-bodied smoke as well as lush, mellow flavors that are composed of cocoa, chocolate, caramel, sweet spice, and caramel that are mouthwatering.
H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Churchill
The H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Churchill is a medium-bodied cigar known for its rich, consistent flavor and superior craftsmanship from the Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic. It features a unique blend wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano leaf, with a core of Nicaraguan binder and Dominican long-fillers. It offers a complex palette of earthy, creamy, and sweet tones with a hint of spice. While its flavor remains constant throughout the smoke, it’s particularly noted for its creamy texture and well-balanced nature. The cigar’s robust construction ensures an even burn and perfect draw, making it a favorite among aficionados, as evidenced by praise on social media platforms. Its unwavering quality and classic taste profile make the H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Churchill a top pick for enthusiasts seeking traditional, reliable flavors, as affirmed by the review of H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Churchill.
Other Honduran Cigar Reviews
CAO VR Moby
CAO, a prominent brand among cigar enthusiasts, offers the CAO VR Moby, a full-strength cigar originating from Honduras with a distinct, very dark Brazilian Maduro wrapper. This Toro-shaped cigar, characterized by its intense smoke and robust flavors, presents a leathery texture interspersed with oily spots and features two bands, one near the cap and a simpler foot band. Initial smoking phases reveal a flavor profile rich in hay, grass, and significant spice and pepper, especially on the retro-hale, but the experience shifts towards an overpowering spiciness, overshadowing other notes. Despite its well-maintained construction in terms of burn and smoke output, the cigar suffers from a consistently tight draw and a flavor profile that may be excessively spicy for some palates. While it might not suit beginners or those averse to strong spice and pepper notes, it’s recommended for seasoned smokers seeking a rich, intense experience, particularly in colder seasons, earning a specific spot in the review of CAO VR Moby.
Alec Bradley Medalist
Cigar aficionados often seek the perfect blend, leading them to the Alec Bradley brand, known for premium cigars like the Alec Bradley Medalist. Handcrafted with a Honduran wrapper, this cigar boasts a robusto shape, flawless burn, and abundant smoke. Its elegant band, featuring the brand’s logo and an exquisite color palette, complements the light brown wrapper with visible veins and minimal seams, affirming its premium status. Initially, the smoking experience presents a creamy, smooth profile with hints of cedar and nuts, maintaining consistent flavors into the second third. The final third sees a welcome shift, with nutty notes becoming more prominent alongside the consistent cedar, a touch of spice, and increased strength, categorizing it as a full-bodied cigar despite its lighter flavors. While the flavor profile may lack dark tones, the cigar’s excellent construction, even burn, great draw, and firm ash make it an appealing choice for aficionados seeking a creamy, smooth cigar with subtle complexities. Despite some expectations for more diverse flavors, its strengths and subtle transition in the final third make it a potential regular choice for enthusiasts, particularly for morning enjoyment with coffee, though beginners might find it vital. Overall, its quality, despite a mild flavor journey, prompts a positive review of the Alec Bradley Medalist.
