Midweek Shootout Poll: Cohiba Esplendido Vs H. Upmann Connoisseur B

[MoeFOH]

Midweek Shootout Poll - where we randomly pit two Cuban sticks against one another to see which comes out on top. 

The Dip 2 is currently battling the Sancho Panza Belicoso here - still time to cast a vote in that one!  

The match-up this week sees the Cohiba Esplendido Vs the H Upmann Connoisseur B 
 
If you've had both - great. If you've had one and not the other or have had neither, give us your answer and discussion based on your experience there and/or the allure/desire/interest in these combatants. 

Read the scenario, vote in the poll, discuss below if you wish 

[Capn_Jackson]

I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but Upmann B. I’ve only had a few of each, but the B for me.

[Nevrknow]

Esplendido all the way. Yes I'm a Cohiba fan boy but NO Upmann can compare for me.

Good Upmanns? Of course.

To the Esplendido level?

Not a chance.

[AshesToExcellence]

Cool match-up! I’ve been fortunate to dance with both of these Cuban stunners, and if cigars were cars, the Espléndido is a DB5, smooth, elegant, and guaranteed to turn heads with that signature Cohiba grassy-honey opening and a long, elegant finish that just whispers sophistication. Smoking one feels like you’ve been granted membership to a very exclusive club, only instead of a handshake, there's a nod and a puff. 

The Connie B? Think of it as a finely-tuned classic Jaguar. Still classy, still a joy to ride, but it’s got a bit more punch and growl under the hood. Creamy, earthy, and often surprising in how well it performs for the price and profile. It’s the cigar you recommend to a friend who wants to get serious but isn’t quite ready for the big league gala.

The Espléndido takes the crown for me. It’s like comparing a royal affair to a really good dinner date. Both are memorable, but only one leaves you thinking about it the next morning whilst staring wistfully at your humidor.

[Lucas Buck]

The Cohiba Esplendidos is my favorite cigar. I have never smoked a Conny B but the chance it would eclipse the almighty Esplendidos is as close to zero as you can get.  Only a few other Cohibas have come even close. 

[Ford2112]

I am not really a fan of Esplendido. They need a lot of age IMO. Connie B is not a cigar I have sought out really. Curious to see the consensus as I didn't vote.

[my happy place]

I'm curious to see the results. I've never had the Esplendido but had plenty H Upmann. The Connie B is a great cigar but to me isn't outstanding.

[Glass Half Full]

Didn't see the comparison. Wow-level, incredible Apples to good-but-plain ol' oranges. (A bit unfair.)

[El Hoze]

Esplendidos. Not even close for me. Esplendidos vs. Sir Winston would be the matchup in my eyes, I would actually take SW though I imagine many would disagree. I can see both sides. 

[MoeFOH]

9 minutes ago, El Hoze said:

Esplendidos vs. Sir Winston would be the matchup in my eyes

We may well end up here .

I didn't announce it at the outset, but I'm keeping track of the results and will be creating a winners / losers bracket for the next phase of these polls. For now, we're still in the preliminary rounds. 

[JohnS]

Cohiba Esplendidos vs. pretty much anything else both Cuban and Non-Cuban. For me? Yeah, I'd choose the Cohiba Esplendidos 99% of the time (because who knows...someone may pitch it up against a Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva Cosecha 2003)!

[BG318]

Nothing to add to the comments but I voted Esplendido, by a mile.

[griller]

4 minutes ago, BG318 said:

Nothing to add to the comments but I voted Esplendido, by a mile.

Yep, me too. 

[Chibearsv]

I’ve said it before, nothing dethrones Esplendidos for me. It’s hard to describe how they affect me. Nothing hits my palate as perfectly as they do. 

[joeypots]

Esplendidos for me, a Cohiba lover for sure and the Julieta No.2 is a favorite vitola. 

I have an early box of Connoisseur Bs and I traded for a few fivers when they came out. I've smoked enough of them to have an opinion. I like them a lot and have rated a few of the '18s 5 stars. It's a very good cigar that is probably better than the HDM San Juan and it seems to have had a steeper price increase than most other than Cohiba since cigarmegeddon. 

Anyone remember in their MRN Encyclopedia his assertion that H Upman gets stronger with age? I'd like the B to do that. 

[zeedubbya]

Not a fair fight.  This is a Mayweather vs. McGregor situation (although a larger boxer than Mayweather may be better here).  May look like there was a chance at the beginning, but both performing at the top of their game, no prayer for the Connie B. Sharp money comes in with their 1-7 bets at the last minute, so you know how this is gonna go, if you ever watched much boxing…now I’m off on another tangent.  Whoops.  I agree with @joeypots would love to see the B get stronger with age, as MRN has said, and my experience is in line with this as well.  Perfect Espy is likely the best reg production cigar experience IMO.