2012 H.Upmann Half Corona - CIGAR COMP NOV 2012

[CaptainQuintero]

H.Upmann Half Corona

5-pack tin

3 1/2 x 44

2012 production

First off, this is my first time trying this cigar. I've heard a lot about it and seen how fast they are flying off the shelves world-wide. It's fully into the mud and sludge season in the UK so if this vitola doesn't shine now then it never will!

The dog has her legs crossed and needs a walk so time to crack open the tin and light this up!

First impressions

Plugged. Seriously this thing is harder than granite! I've no idea how this much tobacco could have been stuffed into a mould, there is nearly enough squidged into here to make a Sir Winston! Super oily cigar though, almost dripping off the wrapper and the aroma is very strong coming out of the tin, I can smell them from a meter away.

OK, so some mildly disturbing stabbing action with my cigar poker and me pulling out enough tobacco to roll a mag 46 has finally enabled some drawing action so time to head out the door.

Yes it's muddy, it is wellington weather and I'm not looking forward to cleaning up the doodle!

Not sure how I'm going to do thirds with this so just going to describe how it smokes.

First off it's straight off into medium to full body with a strange sweet and sour taste. It's certainly Upmann but maybe a little hint of ammonia? A few puffs later and that sour taste has died away and what's left is a sugar sweet shortcake, this little guy really is straight into full stride with flavours.

What's getting me is that there is actually evolution of flavour here. The sweet shortcake is joined by a very rich and buttery tobacco body which fills the mouth despite there not really being a large amount of smoke. The weather isn't great, infact this is how it's been for the last 5 months nearly! At least there are a few things seemingly enjoying it.

Into the last 'third' now and not a huge amount of change, the body has shifted down a notch to medium which isn't a bad thing; it adds to the evolution of the cigar. The nice thing is that there is no harsh or bitter characteristics to this cigar even nearing the end and it not being exactly the perfect cigar smoking conditions.

Overall it's a medium-full bodied cigar that from pretty much the start is a buttery rich and pastry sweet. Interestingly there is no evidence of leather which is a nice change from the regular production Upmann. It's DNA is more similar to the Sir Winston than say the Mag 46 which is no bad thing, it's certainly a pleasant smoke and does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a short cigar for when time is short. Very approachable and enjoyable. Construction was an issue here but I'm hoping it is just a one off.

89/100

[Michel1968]

Nice review Cap't. As some know I just can't get 'into' the Half Corona's - and gawd knows I tried...

[Blakes]

Nice review. I'm hoping to try out some of these soon.

[dB69]

Thanks for the review! That's a very nice cigar. What I have smoked, the 2012 production is even better than 2011.