ayedfy Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 The last stick from the first (and only) box of cigars I have ever bought. These have been with me since the start of my cigar smoking hobby, so this review is kinda special. I scored these on a LftH last year. When I went into pick them up, Di cut the seal and opened the box, and then her and Smithy winced when they saw what they were selling off on the cheap what was apparently a good box. (I still don't really know how to spot a good box just by looking at it, but I'll put a photo of the box the day I picked it up at the end of this review, because if they were right, who doesn't like a bit of cigar porn?) H.Upmann Royal Robustos. La Casa del Habano limited release. Box code: SUB ABR 12. Vitola size: 5.3x52. Paid $175/box of 10. Cold observations: Very dark, oily wrapper. Good construction, firm. Draw is tight, with some notes of creamy coffee and a bit of salty spice coming through on the cold draw. Opening third: Medium bodied, a lot of dark coffee bean notes, creamy and gently bitter. Rich tobacco over dry hay. Almonds, and just the softest, distant hint of lime. Middle third: Body still dancing around medium (one puff it's big, the next it drops back a touch). A lovely hot cocoa note coming to the fore. The grassy hay notes are becoming a bit stronger, although now they're starting to develop into a distinct black tea character. Final third: Very toasty at the back, and a continuation of the tea, coffee, and the general creamy profile. Some sweet toffee and caramel notes rounding everything off as well. I should have bought another box. I should have been more patient with this box. But these regrets are softened by how good these cigars were. Certainly I would expect this wouldn't be everyone's cuppa, but it hits the spot of exactly what I like in a cigar. 92/100 P.S. Now that my humidor is empty and I think I know what kinds of flavours I go for, does anyone have any suggestions for cigars that compare to this for my future purchases?
Scdalak Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Well done,,,, One of my Best smokes of 2012, i have 3 boxes wish I bought 30......
BMF98 Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Great review and pics! Have 2 boxes of these that I've been patiently let rest. Although it's getting harder to leave them alone with all these great reviews.
BatFastard Posted April 2, 2013 Posted April 2, 2013 Nice review... Have a couple boxes of these myself, and have only smoked 1 stick so far. Although I must admit, it is becoming increasingly harder to resist week after week!!
BMack Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Thanks for the great review! I've heard soo many good things about these, hope sometime I might be able to snag a few *crosses fingers*
Zacapa Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Great review, I've been loving my box also, but your wrappers are sublime. Plus only $175 in oz!!! No wonder they winced haha I would rate these as pretty much the best rott cigar I've had. I'm sure they will continue to improve with age-but so difficult to them! I also enjoy the upmann mag 46 and 2012 having been smoking well with little age
Ssmith114 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Get another box! I smoked another one lastnight and these continue to surprise me with how good they!! Wish I was able to find another one to lay down
olotti Posted May 2, 2013 Posted May 2, 2013 Smoking one now and its exactly as the review. Great cream, coffee, a little spice throught the nose that dances in and out pretty straight on medium body, very classy cigar, the finish just coats the mouth with a viscosity that is hard to find I can taste the last draw minutes later. I dont know about ageing these because they're so good now as others have said but I could see 5yrs at most, they just dont have the body to lay em down longer I think they may lose the spice and thats a great feature of the upmanns. All in all a really really great smoke Id give it a 92 now with 94-95 potential. Got a box on the way and it wont be touched for awhile but itll be interesting to see how these evolve.
maverickdrinker Posted May 2, 2013 Posted May 2, 2013 Great review. Tried a few of these and they are excellent IMHO. Made me rethink about the marca.
mk05 Posted May 2, 2013 Posted May 2, 2013 Art is finally climbing out of the Cohiba tub. Hey now, that is a beeeeaaauty of a box. The dark red wrappered ABR 12's have been stunning, and I'd say - surprisingly - on par with the original ABR11's. Just be careful and ditch (give away) the claro wrappered ones.
ayedfy Posted May 2, 2013 Author Posted May 2, 2013 Art is finally climbing out of the Cohiba tub. Hey now, that is a beeeeaaauty of a box. The dark red wrappered ABR 12's have been stunning, and I'd say - surprisingly - on par with the original ABR11's. Just be careful and ditch (give away) the claro wrappered ones. Dark red and claro wrappers? Sorry, I'm still a cigar newbie and I have no idea what you're talking about!
mk05 Posted May 2, 2013 Posted May 2, 2013 Dark red and claro wrappers? Sorry, I'm still a cigar newbie and I have no idea what you're talking about! The original release of these back in 2011 showcased them in very dark, reddish hued wrappers. Incredibly rich and thick smoke, albeit having a tannic mouthfeel due to youth. The ABR 2012 were just as good, but not the FEB 12, or other codes. This is just my experience.
Wil Posted May 6, 2013 Posted May 6, 2013 Great review. You've got me wanting a box or two too! Interesting thoughts on the wrapper colours. A mate got a box of the claros and he wasn't impressed either.
MC4 Posted May 6, 2013 Posted May 6, 2013 I have a box from '11 and the firs and second cigar I smoked were just absolutely superb. However, going through the remainder of the box, they are all boring and flat??!!!
mk05 Posted May 7, 2013 Posted May 7, 2013 I have a box from '11 and the firs and second cigar I smoked were just absolutely superb. However, going through the remainder of the box, they are all boring and flat??!!! You were at the 1st maturation mark. They should just be coming around, I'd revisit this fall or ideally, next year.
SerieT Posted May 7, 2013 Posted May 7, 2013 awesome review..i have 2 sticks..i wish i had made it for the sale they had earlier last week(deeply regretting it)
MC4 Posted May 7, 2013 Posted May 7, 2013 You were at the 1st maturation mark. They should just be coming around, I'd revisit this fall or ideally, next year. I hope so, cause I really enjoyed the first couple I smoked. Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread, but what are maturation marks anyways?
mk05 Posted May 7, 2013 Posted May 7, 2013 General guidelines of time periods when a cigar will go under transformation, ie shedding tannins, increasing power, rounding out, etc.
Charltonc Posted May 8, 2013 Posted May 8, 2013 I love Claro wrappers as much as dark wrappers. I prefer partagas with Claro wrappers.
Othello Posted May 8, 2013 Posted May 8, 2013 I'm smoking one of these right now, from AGO 12. Excellent! I've never been a fan of fresh Upmann, but this one has changed my mind! It does show it's youth, especially in the last third, but now I am interested in finding a few more boxes to lay down.... Great review! Thanks for taking the time......
JohnnyNorth Posted May 9, 2013 Posted May 9, 2013 I'm smoking one of these right now, from AGO 12. Excellent! I've never been a fan of fresh Upmann, but this one has changed my mind! It does show it's youth, especially in the last third, but now I am interested in finding a few more boxes to lay down.... Great review! Thanks for taking the time...... I totally agree with you. Recently bought three boxes from nov12. Pure cigar heaven.
jsoftz Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Wish I could find a box of these. They seem impossible to get from anyone who delivers.
Lotusguy Posted June 4, 2013 Posted June 4, 2013 Our host is running a sale right now - so definitely not sold out everywhere
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