Cigar Weekly

shrink · 04-03-2006, 04:06 PM

Being a lover of most things Upmann, I was looking forward to this smoke. I got a few samples and let them humidify for a couple of months. At 50 ring girth, and 160 mm in length, it’s a rather impressive cigar, in an “EL” sort of way. It has the typical EL dark wrapper, and was heavy and firm in the hand. The pre-light aromas were sweet and spicy, with a little barnyard thrown in. Based on this, and several enthusiastic reviews, my anticipation level was high.

The initial draws were firm and well flavored, with a little peppery spice that tingled a bit when I passed the smoke through my nose. Unfortunately, the cigar soon devolved into a light to medium bodied smoke, with a somewhat one-dimensional flavor profile that remained linear throughout an hour and a half. I would say that it lacked depth and character (perhaps I'm talking about congeners), and seemed much too smooth for such a youthful cigar. The thought, “cooked tobacco” came to mind. I was hoping for something reminiscent of a strong young Upmann, with the characteristic tang and crisp, strong tobacco flavors.

Sadly, this Magnum 50 had more in common with many other EL’s I have smoked than any Upmann I know. In a blind tasting, I don’t think I would even have known what marque it was, and might have guessed Romeo y Julieta, although it lacked the fruitiness of the Hermoso No. 2 (which I like). It’s lack of depth and complexity, the complete absence of any Habanos twang, and it's rather cloying sweet finish made it a rather boring, and disappointing experience. I would have much preferred one of my Mag 46’s, Monarcas, Sir Winstons, Connaisseur No.1's or No. 2’s to this all too generic EL.

However, it is a young cigar, and had some noticeably ammoniac hits near the end, which reminds me that it has some aging ahead of it. Perhaps it will improve with time. What a shame that Upmann didn’t just roll up some Mag 46 filler in a golden wrapper, with something extra thrown in to give it a little more spice. That would have been a winner, for sure. Every time I'm finishing a Mag 46, I think to myself, “I sure would enjoy another half hour of this…”.

04-03-2006, 04:06 PM	#1
shrink Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The High Sierra Posts: 1,673	H. Upmann Magnum 50 EL Being a lover of most things Upmann, I was looking forward to this smoke. I got a few samples and let them humidify for a couple of months. At 50 ring girth, and 160 mm in length, it’s a rather impressive cigar, in an “EL” sort of way. It has the typical EL dark wrapper, and was heavy and firm in the hand. The pre-light aromas were sweet and spicy, with a little barnyard thrown in. Based on this, and several enthusiastic reviews, my anticipation level was high. The initial draws were firm and well flavored, with a little peppery spice that tingled a bit when I passed the smoke through my nose. Unfortunately, the cigar soon devolved into a light to medium bodied smoke, with a somewhat one-dimensional flavor profile that remained linear throughout an hour and a half. I would say that it lacked depth and character (perhaps I'm talking about congeners), and seemed much too smooth for such a youthful cigar. The thought, “cooked tobacco” came to mind. I was hoping for something reminiscent of a strong young Upmann, with the characteristic tang and crisp, strong tobacco flavors. Sadly, this Magnum 50 had more in common with many other EL’s I have smoked than any Upmann I know. In a blind tasting, I don’t think I would even have known what marque it was, and might have guessed Romeo y Julieta, although it lacked the fruitiness of the Hermoso No. 2 (which I like). It’s lack of depth and complexity, the complete absence of any Habanos twang, and it's rather cloying sweet finish made it a rather boring, and disappointing experience. I would have much preferred one of my Mag 46’s, Monarcas, Sir Winstons, Connaisseur No.1's or No. 2’s to this all too generic EL. However, it is a young cigar, and had some noticeably ammoniac hits near the end, which reminds me that it has some aging ahead of it. Perhaps it will improve with time. What a shame that Upmann didn’t just roll up some Mag 46 filler in a golden wrapper, with something extra thrown in to give it a little more spice. That would have been a winner, for sure. Every time I'm finishing a Mag 46, I think to myself, “I sure would enjoy another half hour of this…”. __________________ "You smell that? Do you smell that? A Partagas, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of Partagas in the morning."