H. Upmann Half Corona MAR 22 (FRCM25)

[eaglebear29]

H. Upmann Half Corona MAR 22

(No box code as these are from CAN with the plain black box packaging) 

Initial Light up: 

They’re usually more woody. After the last one 6-12 months ago, it’s more balanced with a sweetness that is tasting more bready. Before there could be more of a distinct pencil shavings taste. Whoops I dropped it and left a couple cracks on both ends. Slight creme in there with the biscuits. Slight brown crispy sourdough bread crust on the retro. Mild in strength. 

End of First 3rd: 

Slight sourdough bread crust dipped in a light cream with also some of the bread every once in awhile. Delicious. So far I’m liking the progression on this box. Mild in strength. 

End of Second 3rd: 

Seems well balanced with sourdough bread and light cream. Hints of slight macadamia nuts but more 'walnut-y'. Now the cream is increasing to more heavy creme and a sweeter macadamia nut is coming though. Amazing best one yet. Slight teeth showing. Just a touch over mild in strength. It built to medium at the halfway point with just a slight shot of coffee in a cup of cream with some hazelnut. 

End of Final 3rd: 

I get a slight woodiness on the light coffee at times. Makes me think the wood is now more coffee. The sourdough is still crispy and there just taken a step back every now and then to let the cream take over. Great cigar pretty well balance. Not as much macadamia nut here more back towards walnut, less sweet. It bounce back and forth between a solid medium to medium+ in strength.

Nub/Pipe-worthy: 

Absolutely on both. Straight in the Falcon pipe today after the corn cob nubber. Medium in strength, full at the end. 

Final thoughts: 

Best one I’ve had yet. Great construction. Ash only fell 2 times and was a nice even burn until more into the nubber stage. I’ve never had one as complex as this. It’s nice to see the pencil shavings go away more while inviting a lighter coffee and more creme, paired with the sourdough crust. I can see this evolving even more it’s like they got more full with age. I’m surprised, and could see this thing ramping up a couple more points after all the slight hints of woody nuts are more evident and sweeter. Hopefully more woodiness drops getting replaced with that slight sweet and creamy nut. I’d really like to taste more of the macadamia nut. Still the flavors here have advanced where the predominant flavor before was wood, with only hints of the others.

Score: 92/100

Time:  1hr and 5min in the beautiful Alaskan cloudy day. Average humidity outside today is 79%.

Additional info: CCs kept at 62-65%H (Closer to 62% a majority of the year). 58-65F

[sergeihabana]

A good overview.

[eaglebear29]

On 3/19/2025 at 9:17 AM, sergeihabana said:

A good overview.

Thank you. I used to like them with only a 1-2 years on them, now I'm thinking I need to leave my other fresh boxes alone after revisiting these, and just keep one fresh box to revisit and to give to friends.

[Ford2112]

High quality little cigars.

[Wlu1988]

I am really falling for these buggers recently. What other cigars would folks on this forum consider a similar smoke profile?

[eaglebear29]

On 3/22/2025 at 11:18 AM, Wlu1988 said:

I am really falling for these buggers recently. What other cigars would folks on this forum consider a similar smoke profile?

In the CC department I couldn't tell ya since I haven't had as much as with NW. NW wise though the only ones that really come to mind compared to CCs are the Nudie line. I'm a huge fanboy of the Queen Corona, and since getting half of the other vitolas and trying more the last few months, I've become a fan of almost all except one that just needs more rest.

One that really reminds me of a similar profile but in a bigger vitola would be the Canonoza. So far I'd say they're all worth a shot but for me at least that one seemed closest to the H.Upmann profile. I'd be curious if others have found this to be similar as in the Cananoza being Upmann like, and if there are any others out there to give a shot.