H. Upmann Connossieur A - E39 BMW M5 6MT BRE ABR 19 (CCCCRW)

[Edward7]

H. Upmann Connossieur A

BRE ABR 19

Robusto Extra

52 x 140

 

This cigar is my second favorite Upmann after the Connossieur B, but is in my regular rotation at the moment.

I prefer both to the range of magnum cigars they produce, as the latter presents only about 8/10ths of the steady freight train of complex tasting notes that the Connie A produces. 

Cold draw is substantial. You get a consistency of the cedar, cacao, cream, coffee, citrus and a sweet grassy flavor. A bit of a Reese’s peanut butter taste.The burn is clean but slanted a bit and needed a touch up.

Retrohale became sweeter on second third start but the mild spice stayed fairly constant throughout. 

Towards the back end, the cigar lost about 15% of its well roundedness even though I really took time with this one. 
This cigar is a consistent performer and gives you everything you want when you have the time to enjoy extract the greatness out of it  

Cars....

Hermann Upmann was a German Banker who created what became one of Habanos’ global designation brands. If I were to draw a parallel to a classic car, it would naturally be of a car produced by one of the big German global auto manufacturers - BMW. 

This cigar is big much like the M5 is for a performance saloon. It was introduced in 2013, so while not that old, it is kind of older news by now. This cigar screams E39 BMW M5 (98-03) to me. This car, while not limited, not particularly race bred with its non Motorsport derived S62 4.9 l V8 engine, and not the most expensive in its class, was an absolute icon when it burst onto the scene in late 1998. It was the first V8 after two prior gens of inline 6 M5 motors. Like the widely available car, the Connossieur A is not an LCDH or RE or EL. You want a box? You got it. You want an E39 M5? Hey, they aren’t as rare as a 993 Turbo S. Is it the biggest cigar made? Not even close, but neither is the M5 the largest autobahn dominator that you can buy, nor is it the fastest. Does the Connie A sometimes let you down? Sure. Sometimes I’m reminded that it isn’t a Siglo VI or a Fundadores. Does the M5 let you down? Absolutely. From timing chain tensioner issues, common VANOS systems rattling and so on and so forth. These days even a modern WRX could walk you in a quarter mile. 

Worst of all, can the Connie A give you cancer of the throat and mouth and even potentially lungs? I mean, if you believe the stickers they swaddle our boxes with, yes they can. But the E39 M5 too can get cancer. Cancer of the intake manifold due to carbon build up. The literal equivalent of black lung for cars. And damn is it damn costly to repair.  

 

This cigar and this car are one hell of an experience. Total classics and I would not be upset to have either in my humidor or garage, or even better yet, a Connie A in my mouth while I drive the Nurburgring. 

 

 

[Connoisseur Kim]

I really like Connie A a lot (box purchase)! Will review Connie B as well, since it is great as Connie A by FOH members! ?

[nKostyan]

I've been a BMW fan since I was a kid, but it's Platonic love.

[rcarlson]

Well done.  I love, love, love the Connie A.  

[slowsmoke]

Great review.  The E39 M5 is indeed an icon.