H Upmann Lonsdale (SLA MAY00)

[cigardawg]

I had a time finding these cigars. Just had to crack the box and smoke one yesterday evening. Went down to my favorite tobacconist's shop, sat down in the lounge, contemplated my day for a moment, and then brought out the cigar.

H Upmann Lonsdale (SLA MAY00)

Aesthetically, this was a pleasing cigar. The wrapper was a light to medium brown with only very minor veining. The seams were very clean and the triple cap was expertly applied. Years of being in the box imparted a very nice square-press to the cigar. I brought the cigar to my nose and was treated with sweet earth mingled with a little bit of wood...very pleasant. I clipped it (as always) and tested the draw...a little firm, but not bad.

After toasting the foot, I lit the cigar and was greeted with a nice billow of rich smoke. Yep, the draw had opened a bit and was just south excellent. Smoke production was decent, though not obscene (I happen to like obscene smoke production). The cigar formed a firm, medium gray ash as it burned, requiring me to physically knock it off. The burn was slow and even and it stayed cool throughout. As the cigar burned, the heated wrapper just above the burn-line still exhibited good oils and took on a nice sheen. The cigar actually tightened up a bit toward the end, but not enough to spoil the experience.

The initial taste was creamy and woody with just a hint of pepper. It quickly settled into a nice creamy coffee with woody notes flavor profile. There was just a hint of sweet spice on the finish. As it burned, it revealed some "herby" note and a very "clean" tobacco taste. Toward the midpoint, it picked up some body and developed a smokey richness. All in all, the body was medium and the tastes were elegant and smooth.

This was a different cigar that I just wanted for my collection. Fortunately, I was treated to a fine smoke. A smoke that has me thinking longingly of the next one. A rating, I give the H Upmann Lonsdale a firm A (91-93).

[The Privateer]

Thanks for the great review...sounds like one that rewards searching out!

[Loki]

Nice review. I am a fan of lonsdales, but have never tried the Upmann. I might have to.

[Fatshotbud]

» Nice review. I am a fan of lonsdales, but have never tried the Upmann. I

» might have to.

Thanks for the review -- have not had the pleasure

[sleeper]

My favorite Lonnie when they draw properly, which is a problem I've had with almost all my lonsdales from this era/timeframe. They are hard to beat when they open up properly!!

[shrink]

Nice review, Dawg.

I am an Upmann fan, and this is one cigar that I have thought about, but haven't yet tried. I would appreciate a comparison of the lonsdale profile to other Upmanns.

[cigardawg]

» Nice review, Dawg.

»

» I am an Upmann fan, and this is one cigar that I have thought about, but

» haven't yet tried. I would appreciate a comparison of the lonsdale profile

» to other Upmanns.

I don't always agree with MRN...in fact, when it comes to tasting, I rarely do. However, this time I believe he is write. While this cigar shares the same basic flavor profile of other Upmanns, it seems to be a softer cigar as far as flavor. It was not muted or lacking, just somehow "softer." Very refined, very elegant.

Hope that helps.

[shrink]

Hope that helps.

Yep. I have also read that '00 and '01 HU lonsdales are known to have a lot of plugs.

[cigardawg]

» Hope that helps.

»

» Yep. I have also read that '00 and '01 HU lonsdales are known to have a

» lot of plugs.

Yeah, that was the big risk on this box code. I was actually warned away from 00 stock by several people. The only other box code I found out there was 01 and was actually warned away from it by the vendor. I took a shot. Feeling the cigars, I can bet there are a few plugged ones in the bunch. If half of them smoke well, though, I did OK. I just consider a risk of doing business and it was worth it to get something that was hard to find (at least for me).

[setay]

thanks for the review, saw there are some 00's on the aged list.

[habanohal]

I have 2 boxes I have been smokeing from. 01 & 02. Both boxes are hit or miss when they come to being plugged.