1970s H. Upmann No. 4 (HURWR)

[maverickdrinker]

 

A great BOTL provided me the opportunity to participate in a box split of a sealed box of 1970s H. Upmann No. 4s in 2013. This is the second one I’ve smoked from that box split. The last time I smoked this cigar was December 2013. Should be an interesting experience.

 

The wrapper is a heavy chestnut hue. Shows how the tobacco used today is significantly different to the tobacco of yesteryear. Smooth to the touch, however a little bumpy due to shrinkage. Still has a nice sheen, despite its age.

 

The construction is excellent. Firm throughout the cigar with a slight give when squeezed. No soft spots to speak of. The rounded triple cap looks good and the foot is packed. Aromas of barnyard, cinnamon, cocoa and earth emanate from the wrapper.

 

A quick twist from my Siglo multi punch and we are ready for action. The draw is perfect. Nice airflow with a slight resistance. Nougat, cream, candies pecans and touches of earth come from the cold draw

 

First Third

Star anise, cinnamon, cedar, potting soil, oolong tea and leather start is off on our journey. The strength level is a solid medium level.

 

The retrohale is powerful. Layers of cinnamon, cedar, star anise and oolong tea form a beautiful Conga line as it moves gingerly through the nasal passages. Wow...

 

The after finish is mind blowing. Cinnamon, cedar, star anise and oolong tea assert the front end and evolves to clean tobacco, potting soil, leather and a touch of lavender and maraschino cherries. Expansive and coating on the palate. Medium bodied strength level allows the flavours to gently envelop and linger on the palate for an extended duration. What a start...

 

Second Third

This is transcendent. Lavender makes its way into the retrohale, complimenting cinnamon, light cedar and oolong tea. Star anise has tempered down slightly. Luscious as it moves through the nasal passages.

 

The after finish just brims with complexity. Easy to describe the flavours. Hard to describe the experience. Cinnamon, light cedar, lavender and oolong tea lead the way, followed by potting soil, leather, star anise and a touch of maraschino cherries. The clean tobacco taste enters intermittently and enhances the flavour profile.

 

Medium bodied strength level allows the flavours to dance on the palate effortlessly. No harshness to speak of. Pure flavour at the stage. Seems to intensify and deepen with every draw. I notice that my time between draws extends with each puff to allow full enjoyment of the flavour profile on the palate. This is turning out to be incredible.

 

Final Third

Strength level picks up slightly, amplifying the flavours. Cinnamon, light cedar, lavender and oolong tea feel heightened as they move through the nasal passages. Just brilliant.

 

The after finish just continues to add subtle enhancements. Cinnamon, light cedar, lavender and oolong tea evolve to potting soil, leather, star anise Maraschino cherries, with touches of eucalyptus. The slight increase in strength allows the flavours to gloriously linger on the palate. Makes you ease back, close your eyes and just enjoy the moment. Humbling and thankful.

 

Final Impressions

This was a magical experience. Easily one of the best, and potentially the best cigar for 2020 for me. This was one of those experiences where your senses feel heightened, the world slows down and you are just entranced in the moment. The levels of depth and complexity are beyond words.

 

This is vintage done right. Great tobacco, excellent construction and attention to provenance are needed to deliver this kind of performance. There are times when vintage is bland and flavourless. Other times, it delivers a transcendent experience that every cigar smoker should have the opportunity to experience. A pleasure and privilege to enjoy. Thank you to the great BOTL who invited me to participate in the box split. An experience for the ages.

 

 

 

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[maverickdrinker]

Ugh. Forgot to put HURWR in the title. Mods: possible to update? Thank you.


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[zigarrenziggy]

Great review. An experience I hope to have one day, or ideally, many times! Thanks for sharing your experience 

[dominattorney]

19 minutes ago, maverickdrinker said:

Ugh. Forgot to put HURWR in the title. Mods: possible to update? Thank you.


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Try an edit?

[maverickdrinker]

Try an edit?

Tried to edit but didn’t have permission to do so.


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[NicPac]

Wow...

[Sir Diggamus]

Sounds like a fantastic experience! Great review! 

[teamrandr]

Thanks for the review!  The oldies can still be great!

[Hoepssa]

 

Great read!

[Raskol]

Great review and pictures. Thank you.

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[CaptainQuintero]

  Brill stuff as usual ?

  My only point of reference is 99/2000 no 1's and I can see the DNA between the two there. That note of teas and spices seem to bloom with some long years on Upmann. I think I've had the most consistent enjoyment out of them more than other aged examples

[cigaraholic]

What...no shortbread cookies ?

The beautiful after a rain in the forest flavor was so magical in Upmann’s of the past, gone with the leaf.

[SCgarman]

Who is older? The cigar or the OP?

[maverickdrinker]

Who is older? The cigar or the OP?

Same age as each other...


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