H. Upmann Magnum Especial Coleccion Habanos 2007

[B3n]

Brand: H. Upmann

Name: Magnum Especial

Vitola: Double Robusto

Origin: Cuba

Ring: 55

Length: 170 mm

Boxdate: USE SEP 07 (Septembre 2007)

Presentation: Book shaped Coleccion Habanos humidor with 20 cigars

The humidor alone is mazing. Heavy and very well consrtucted; everythings gives the impression of the extraordinary:

The only downer: This particular humidor has a clear cedar smell. The problem is known with some of the special release humidors. It is not that bad with this particular one but noteable. The cigars as well have already adapted some of the cedar.

The wrapper is of mid-brown color with a slightly reddish hue, very fine and very oily with hints of crystals from dried oils. The Upmann is well packed wwith perfect resistance when squeezed; absolutely evenly rolled with no softer or harder spots or veins under the wrapper.

Cold aroma is decent, almost nondescript; slight smell of cedar, light earthy notes and a bit of mint and clean tobacco at the foot. Draw resistance cold is perfect with cedar (that was expected…), slight sweetness and again clean tobacco. Oh god, hopefully this one is not ruined with overly cedar aroma.

The Magnum Especial starts of with delicate sweetness and very creamy smoke. The cigar directly seems complex and on spot with loads of light aroma. I am relieved as the cedar does not seem to have (at least completely) ruined this special release. After the first few puffs the initial impression slightly fades and a cinnamon-cedar composition takes the lead. Mmmh.

Into the first third the dominant cedar notes luckily fade away quickly. Here the Upmann shows its marca profile: tender toast aromas, light toasted bread, soft caramell, accompanied by a refined cinnamon impression; on top white pepper and floral accents, maybe a hint of vegetal aromas. For my personal taste the cigar is bit too light during this third, typical for the marca and those big formats. Thats probably why I prefer other sizes as I find e.g. Lonsdales or Lanceros to be much more intense earlier into the cigar.

Towards the second third the aromas of this 2007 Coleccion Habanos get more and more intense. At first the sweetness comes to the foreground. Light honey and caramel take the lead and an impression of sweet-salty toasted nuts develops. Very concise. Towards the end of the second third vegetal aromas become more dominant: orangeflower water stands out. Again concise and very interesting. The delicate white pepper has turned up to freshly crushed black pepper on the retrohale. By now this cigar is clearly outstanding.

In the last third the H. Upmann slowly brings back the cinnamon that was present at the start and very clean toasted tobacco is at the foreground. The cigar still has a pleasant sweetness and the smoke is incredibly creamy. Light earth and vegetal aromas change pace and the Magnum Especial can easily be characterised as very complex. This cigar shows more sound development within the last third than many others over their full length. Refined wood and pleasant cedar come back and the sweetness develops sugar candy character. Off to the final the Coleccion Habanos develops decent leather that reminds me of very soft glove leather and liqorice.

Wow. Once really on one wishes that it never goes out again. The complexity is astonishing even more since the Magnum Especial Coleccion Habanos has the typical rather mild H. Upmann aroma and this rather evening filling smoke is very entertaining. The smoke volume produced is very generous and oh so creamy. The ash is extremely firm and stable with nice texture/structure and of very light grey color. Burn is perfect, even and slow with a wrapper thats thin and at the same time very elastic and solid.

[Poohdawg]

WOW!! This review makes me want to pick up the 07 robusto travel humidor.

[mbrody]

Great review and terrific photos!

[bugman78629]

[laficion]

A "GREAT" review.

[finecigar]

Awesome review! Really enjoyable cigars I would agree on. I had a box at one point but all smoked now

[Mxmike]

Great photos and review. Thanks!

[Dimmers]

Wonderful review and photos, thanks for sharing!

[jimbo1]

excellent review and pics....thanks for sharing