2002 H. Upmann 'Tang' Monarcas

[maverickdrinker]

This was gifted to my by a great BOTL to try. The fabled Tang Monarca.

This was commissioned by David Tang, who owns Pacific Cigar Company. PCC controls distribution of cuban cigars in Asia Pacific rim as well as Canada.

The story goes that a one time release of 10,000 cigars were made especially for David Tang. There were 3 sizes made: The Monarca, Piramides and Coronas.

These are known to be a tweaked blend of the H. Upmann marca. They are supposed to be an 'amped' up version. This was the first time that the H Upmann bands were printed with a red background.

All of the Tang special commissioned cigars were rolled at the Partagas Factory in Havana, Cuba. Judging from the cigar shape, this came in slide lid boxes. Confirmed this to be true.

A great BOTL from New Jersey sent me this to try. We send each other cigars to try and share our opinions on them. Thank you for the opportunity to try this one, my friend.

I am very excited to give this a try. I don't have much experience with H. Upmann cigars so this should be fun.

So.... onto the review....

The H. Upmann 'Tang' Monarca is a beauty to behold. The construction on this is fantastic. No hard spots at all in the cigar. Just the right amount of consistent give as I put it through the 'squeeze' test.

The foot of the cigar is well packed. A quick couple of cold draws from the foot reveal caramel, cedar and chocolate. This should be good.

The wrapper is a gorgeous shade of golden brown. No apparent veins. Sooo smooth. The construction is excellent!!

The triple cap looks perfectly applied. Nice and rounded with no seams sticking out. This should take easily to my punch.

The aroma off the wrapper is creamy chocolate with a hint of caramel and earth. Can't wait to fire this up.

The draw is perfect!!!! I can now breathe a sigh of relief!!!! Should be a solid 1.5 hours of bliss. (This is what I am hoping for!!!)

Caramel, cedar, chocolate with a touch of leather and earth come out in the cold draw.

Time to take this to the flame....

[maverickdrinker]

First Third

What a way to start!!!!! I used a soft flame lighter to fire this up so I can get a nice, well rounded burn. Delicate is best in this case.

Chocolate, cream, caramel and a touch of cedar give my palate a shake hello. This is sooo nice!!!!

The after finish is loong. The flavours just tantalize every part of my palate. Like a heavy wave of flavour that needs to soak in and stay awhile.

Strength is medium bodied to start. I hope that this stays this way because it is just perfect for the flavour profile. Delicious!!!

The draw is just perfect. The right amount of resistance to ensure that I don't burn through this too quickly.

The smoke off of this is impressive. Both the head and foot explode with smoke after every draw. The blue smoke just dances in the cool September air. Heavenly.....

The ash is a 'Dirty' greyish white. Nice and packed. This should hold on nicely...

Beautiful......

Second Third

Hints of roasted nuts and dried fruit come into play once in awhile. This is one delicious cigar.

Strength continues to be medium bodied. No complaints here. Very refined and delicate flavours. Nothing overpowering. Everything complimenting one another.

There is a nice fruity sweetness now in the after finish. Reminds me of dried jackfruit. A nice combination of tart and sweet. Really goes well with the chocolate, caramel and cedar trifecta. A delight on the palate.

I can't help but wonder if all aged H. Upmanns are like this one. Might have to source a few different H. Upmann vintages/vitolas in the name of 'research'.

Such nice, long, expansive draws help me get lost in the cigar. Almost makes you close your eyes so you can concentrate and enjoy the flavours. I can feel my body relax and sink into my seat even more. Very cool!!!!

[maverickdrinker]

Final Third

An earthiness arrives late to the party. Reminds me of mushrooms. The cedar seems to have gone away for a bit and the earthiness is come to stand in. The chocolate, caramel and dried fruit trio still are the life of the party.

Strength has picked up a touch since the earthy note came in but still is in the medium bodied category.

This is such an elegant, refined smoke. 10 years of age has really done this cigar wonders. I can only imagine what it tasted like fresh. The flavours are so clean and so well integrated. Not one flavour overpowers another. It is like they all are at the same level. So delicious!!!!

I think I will be having another look at stocking up on the H. Upmann marca after smoking this cigar. Just a divine flavour profile.

The burn continues to be nice and slow. It's like the cigar wants me to savour every last draw.

The earthiness is starting to pick up in strength. I swear the cigar reminds me of grilled portabello mushrooms with a balsamic vinegar glaze.The richness of the earthy note combined with the nice sweetness of the dried jackfruit note makes this one fantastic flavour combo.

There is a nice level of depth to the flavours now. Rich, deep and refined. The earthiness brings another dimension to the cigar.

The after finish keeps going on forever. The smoke is still billowing out and the burn line is rock solid. What a great way to finish off the weekend.

Final Impressions

I am told that the Tang Monarcas were rough, tannic and full bodied when released. A decade later, it is a refined, complex cigar with incredible depth of flavours.

A remarkable cigar. A real eye opener for me. I haven't had much experience with the H Upmann marca. I have to seriously considering getting some for the humidor. This was outrageously good!!!

The quality of the tobacco being used right now in Cuba and the construction of cigars is impeccable. I have to think that the recent production of different H. Upmann vitolas will be top notch.

Thanks again my brother. This was a fantastic smoking experience....

[hoyopr]

Thanks for a great Review Art, enjoyed it very much.

[mk05]

This was the first time that the H Upmann bands were printed with a red background.

All of the Tang special commissioned cigars were rolled at the Partagas Factory in Havana, Cuba. Judging from the cigar shape, this came in slide lid boxes. Confirmed this to be true.

Hey Art. Do you mean a specific shade of red?

All Tangs were ECA Nov 02, recorded to be H Upmann, all SLB. Were these all rolled in Partagas then boxed in H Upmann?

[cottierm]

Nice, very very nice. Thanks Art!

Best,

Michel

[bigfunkyg]

PCC and Havana House are related? Didn't know that.

[Trevor2118]

PCC and Havana House are related? Didn't know that.

PCC own/control Havana House.

[mbrody]

ENjoyed that review, thanks!

[Hubba]

Man that looked like a real treat!!

[Strada]

Great review of a rare cigars. Good Job ATy!

Keep them coming

[Mr.T]

Great review, thanks! I'd love to try one of those fabled cigars. I've got some regular H.Upmann Monarchs from 2007 and they are real gems. I'm planning on holding off on these for a a couple more years.