H. Upmann 180th

Anniversary

For an anniversary marking almost two centuries in the premium cigar business, H. Upmann went all the way with a smoke that is something beyond top-quality. Produced by the legendary AJ Fernandez, this cigar will be listed as a Nicaraguan puro but the truth is much more complex. The wrapper of this cigar is a medio tiempo leaf. Medio tiempo is found above the upper-tier ligero priming on a plant. Not all tobacco plants have the extra level above ligero, which makes the extraction process quite intricate and only suitable for top harvesters with a deep knowledge of the tobacco harvesting process. What this means for smokers is that the medio tiempo receives a majority of the sunlight and is, thus, a wonderfully strong and potent leaf even after curing and aging. This also means that the quantities of this cigar are extremely limited. H.Upmann is producing only 5,000 boxes, with a much smaller handful of premium collector humidors that feature an additional size exclusive to the humidor itself. The flavor profile is an elevated take on the typical Nicaraguan puro. Pepper, spice and earth come through in very carefully crafted waves, which make this cigar a joy to smoke from first light to the moment it fades away. Thus, the pairing decisions on this cigar will be a little more complex. Aged whiskey, espresso and espresso-style coffee cocktails, along with your richer red wines—think a Washington Cabernet—will perfectly complement the refined nature of this handsome cigar. The H.Upmann release caused an immediate industry uproar upon release thanks to this salivating combination of prime Nicaraguan tobaccos and the stately look of these smokes. As always, anything produced by Fernandez is going to be rolled exquisitely and burn smoothly all the way through. The cigars are a chocolate bar brown, with a gold band and two off-white bands that give the cigar the look of something truly historical. The same can be said for the artwork inside the box lid, which celebrates some of the most seminal moments in the branch’s rich history. Shop Cigars.com now for this new release. Fill your humidor with the absolute height of cigarmaking and experience a taste reserved to only a select few aficionados wise enough to seek out this adventurous leaf and one-of-a-kind blend.