H. UPMANN Magnum 46 EAM SEP 2005

[MontrealRon]

Box purchased in Cuba, in 2006.

Just cracked the seals last night.

Rather ugly looking suckers, dull and greenish-tinged medium brown.

Reminded me of a lot of bleh-looking 2000's.

Totally different, though. While those 00's usually had those thick, hard to burn wrappers,

this one had the thinnest, most fragile wrapper that I've ever seen on a CC.

I stuck a cigar in my shirt pocket, came up from my basement storage,

got busy with a few things for a half hour,

and when I came to take out the smoke,

the wrapper was in the mid stages of disintegration!

Many cracks, and some flaking.

And those flakes - gossamer-thin, totally insubstantial.

The cigar was rather hard, with no spring when gently squeezed.

Once clipped, the draw was decent, only slightly tight.

The humidity level seemed right.

Lighted up with some trepidation.

To be brief, from the first puffs until I let it go with 1 1/2" left,

it was rough, rustic, and nearly tasteless.

Basic Cuban tobacco taste, no subtleties, medium+ body,

and a drying effect on the back of the throat.

It was like waking a bear in the middle of hibernation.

I will take out one more cigar, and try it again soon to compare.

This box will then go back to sleep for at least three more years.

One further thing, rather strange.

After finishing the cigar, I tore apart the butt, which I almost never do.

It seemed that there was a leaf between the wrapper and the binder,

rather like an under-wrapper!

Yes, I only had a small piece to examine, so I could well be mistaken.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of such a thing?

I really hate to score such an experience, but if I must:

78 points now, potential hard to determine, maybe even 89+ given enough time.

[El Presidente]

Such a disappointment for a cigar which made great strides in terms of flavour/construction in 2008. You have reminded us of some of the dogs that were around.

On another point, general quality in Cuban divans falls short of HSA export quality (which in itself is variable). Much of what is deemed not acceptable in terms of export quality by HSA finds its way back to local retail. HSA has 15-18 people in the warehouse whose sole job is to open boxes and check quality. They only get through a minor % of total stock held.

[Bartolomeo]

H Upmann Mag 46 USE NOV 07

50 min smoke time

Silky wrapper, spotty Brown colored, very tightly packed

Grey-Black colored Ash w/ cone

Flavors included Rich wood, earthiness, smooth spice, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, true Cuban tobacco taste

What it lacks in strength made up in flavors

Aftertaste was earthy/tannins

White pepper flavor in last 1/3

Nice resistance on the draw, even burn

The 1/3 was an easy beginning where the flavors kicked in the 2/3 nicely

For what’s its worth, I had a Mexican for dinner

I would definitely smoke this again and comparing it to the Magnum 50 I reviewed earlier in the week, I would say it’s a smidgen behind it, I gave the Mag 50 a 9.1/10

I am rating this a 9/10 and box material I think

Bart