H Upmann Sir Winston UTL OCT 18 (FWRC) Side by Side Review

[Bucky McSwensen]

I was hoping to let these rest longer based on advice from others but had to try out a freshish one to compare.  My description of this won't do it justice.  This is rich.

Starts out with nutty fruity tones with a lot of cream and a light woody undertone.  All the flavors pair real well.  Does not have any of the young tannic harshness I was expecting.  Second third kicks in with a slightly cinnamony honey butter brioche.  This doesnt last forever and it transistions back into some robust tobacco with cream and a slightly nutty woody not.  The final third has draw issues and gets much more robust.  Has a big tannic flavor but not harsh.  Just a lot of edges which should smooth out in the future.  Wish I had dry boxed longer but this is how you learn.

 

This was a great rich stick with a ton of flavor and evolution.  Second half picked up intensity but wasnt bad.  If the whole thing could be like the first half this would be flawless.

I'd value this at $28.

Cost Ratio - 1.40

Cuba Ratio - 2.06

 

Comparison:

The first half of this felt like an immature version of the whole 14 cigar.  It's really cool to see where the DNA of the potential peaked version came from.  Did I love it?  Yes.  Will I avoid it for years knowing what they could be?  Yes.  I may revisit in 12 months just to see how it's going but i don't want to risk losing the chance at greatness.  It's already so good as is.  Incredible to see where it can go

[Bucky McSwensen]

 

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I just landed a box ATE SEP 18, will try one end of year. Of the couple single's I've had in past the first half was always amazingly good. If Upmann make a short cigar with that half's blend I'd be forever happy.

[MigsG]

Congrats on a successful side-by-side review.  Must have been quite an experience. 

[Bucky McSwensen]

25 minutes ago, MigsG said:

Congrats on a successful side-by-side review.  Must have been quite an experience. 

It was a hoot.  A bit indulgent but a cool experience.  Unsuccessfully met the contest deadline... oh well!