H Upmann Half Corona MPCRW

[RDB]

From GOS JUN 17. Not from our host, but a good looking box. Colorado, fairly smooth and with some sheen. Smoked under the Aegean stars.

This was paired with some J&B Rare and a dried date for sweetness. Now first let me say, that is a cheap as sh*t Scotch, but it’s a miracle product. They must make a million cases every year, and ‘Rare’ is a great joke, as you can buy it in tiny out-of-the-way convenience stores all over the place. But it’s a five-star winner. Clear Islay medicinal smokiness, a touch of oily richness, no off-flavours, and a remarkably complex herbal balance. If this didn’t exist, it could be bottled and sold as some nonsense special release.

The cigar. My first for a week, and palate recovering from a cold. Perfect medium draw. Lights up cleanly. No peppery harshness at all. Baking... what kind of... doughnut, but that homemade donut, with the hard crust and dense middle. Not sweet and fluffy, instead a savoury edge.

Accompaniments make a huge difference to the flavour of cigars. This might be a little dark and dry on its own. But with whisky and the date, it turns into amaro bitters. With a line of wet leather acidity. I wouldn’t say it’s ever really sweet, but there is a sense of molasses richness. 

Mid bodied, never more. Consistent flavours throughout. Burn got one sided for a while, but some single flame torch sorted that out. 

And also... I love this format! A little over half an hour, and as someone else said in their review: it feels better to smoke one of these properly than to rush and half smoke a robusto. More respectful, just more right. I wish every marca made a half corona.

 

[TTP21]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

And also... I love this format! A little over half an hour, and as someone else said in their review: it feels better to smoke one of these properly than to rush and half smoke a robusto. More respectful, just more right. I wish every marca made a half corona.

 

Great review, and I completely agree with the above.  Haven't had an opportunity to get an HUHC but this review is pushing me towards picking some up.  

Thanks!

[slowsmoke]

Great review.  You've definitely touched on things that are familiar in my HUHC memory... looking forward to the next one.

[Chucko8]

Whole heartedly agree with you in wishing all marcas had a half corona.