H Upmann Connoisseur #1 FEB 10

[Styler]

Well, despite the grumblings of some I thought I would add another review to the pile. My first was a fantastic PLPC, one of my favourite shorter smokes. While mentally cruising my tupperdors for the cream of the crop I suddenly remembered a FEB 10 box of Upmann Connie 1s that I’d not tried in a wee while. The three sticks I’d previously smoked from the box were all fantastic, could they have gotten any better in the last 6 months?

The cigar is quite dark and has noticeably visible seams, that seems to be the case for all the sticks in this cab. Apart from that the wrapper has an oily sheen and feels like velvet to touch. Upon clipping the cap the draw was a little firmer than I would normally like but not alarming. The cold draw was tea all over with maybe a hint of leather.

Upon lighting up I was overjoyed to find the same quality of smoke I’d found in the previous examples from this cab. Large volumes of thick, cool smoke came billowing forth bringing rich creamy tea flavours with just a little sweetness. The first third progressed like this with a hint of cocoa coming in now and again.

Into the second third and the tea is still there although the smoke isn’t quite as creamy. I am getting a little more cocoa along with increasing wood flavours. Nothing harsh or bitter at all.

Into the final third and the cigar has gotten darker. The tea has faded into the background to make way for some more wood and light leather flavours, still very smooth though. Towards the end I got a flavour that I can only describe as burnt rice pudding, a sort of charred sweetness that was a lot nicer than I’m making it sound!

Now prior to getting this box I’d had several singles from different boxes, they were all creamy but none of them produced the unmistakable tea flavours that these guys do. I’ve heard some say that these cigars need 4 years+ before they come of age. I can only imagine what these would be like after that time, I’m not sure I have the willpower to find out. I enjoyed this cigar so much that I only got around to taking one photo, sorry about that!

[isa]

Nice review there , thanks Styler

[Charltonc]

I think I am going to smoke my last one from 08 right now.