H. Upmann Royal Robusto (per request)

[Nrengle]

I was asked to put up my thoughts on the HURR by Mikemurray. Due to work and some dental work yesterday (and being pretty high afterwards) I finally got to it. These have only been in my wineador for a week, but at 65%rh and 65F.

So without much further ado:

H. Upmann Royal Robusto

UPE MAY 13

Construction is pretty decent, a couple of small veins, but there is a small tear/peeling happening on the wrapper seam. Shouldn't be too much of a problem though.

Paired with Keurig Rivo Delcato double shot.

3:35pm lit

Initial burst of salt and umami with some toasted tobacco.

The draw is nearly perfect, not too tight not too loose. The smoke is cool and a bit creamy.

First third still mostly the toasted tobacco and umami/salt. Retrohale produces some notes of stone fruits, maybe a little apricot or black sour cherries. Pretty even burn to start, producing a light grey ash.

Staying pretty mild through the first third. Ash held on for about an inch and a half till it came tumbling off mid puff. I hate when that happens! Getting down to the LCDH band now and as I pull it off s bit of the wrapper comes with it, appears to be some glue residue under the band.

Just got a bit of a sulphur undertone for a split second, was a bit unpleasant, otherwise it's still the same flavor as before. I do very much love the retrohale flavor though. Stone fruits are some of my favorites. I'd love to pair this with a local vodka that is actually distilled with many of them. Its called Oyo (oh why oh) Stone Fruit.

Ash held on for an inch this time and dropped on its own. Producing a weird burn/tunneling. Upon touch up I get a bit of a leather taste coming into play.

Getting into the last third now. This smoke is breezing by for a royal robusto. Leather is still prominent now with the umami taking second fiddle. Small burn issue but trying not to touch up anymore from here. Smoke is still creamy and cool though and the cigar is not hot at all in my fingers.

The Upmann band comes off easily, but reveals another crack in the wrapper. I'm going to have to attribute this to either the construction, or from storage at the dealer, as they've been sitting in my wineador at 65% RH for little over a week now. I'm sure they could use a little more time to settle here at home too.

Finally had to touch up the burn was just getting too wonky for my tastes. After the touch I'm getting a little red and black pepper and the heat is starting to transfer to my fingers. The smoke is still rather cool though. Also can feel the nicotine start to kick up a notch. This is when i starting taking my last puffs and leave it to burn out.

All in all an ok mild cigar. A bit one note as others have noticed. Gonna let the rest of them hang out in the wineador for a while. See how they do. Maybe come back in 6 months and see how they are doing.

As it stands right now I probably won't buy another box of these unless they get better in the next year.

7/10

Finished at 4:36pm

[Habana Mike]

Nice work on the review, shame about the experience.

Keep in mind it's a one off and you may have better luck with the next.

I've quite enjoyed a few of these and while they're not a typical go-to stick,, much preferring others in the line, they can be pretty good.

[bradbrennan]

nice review, thanks for sharing!

[Optic101]

Nice review, these are in my top list. Hope the other are smoking better.

From experience they need some time. The 2012 are good to me.

[mikemerry]

Hey great job!

It's too bad these smokes aren't amazing out the gate. I hope that a nap will fix this issue. I found mine to be bitter and was wondering if you had any of those flavour notes?

Again great review and I'll do one in 6 months and see if time has helped.

[Nrengle]

I didn't really have any bitterness on any of my flavors. Just kinda disappointed with this for having nearly 2 years age on it already. I'll do my Epicure Deluxe next and see how it stands a up.

[mikemerry]

IMO the hoyo will be a delight. I'm a big hoyo fan and love the ep2. It's great young and only gets better with time.

[brownpeter335]

Excellent! It's a great review. You cannot understand how stunning this cigar is until you see it in the flesh.