H Upmann Magnum 46 TAU ABR 19 (49SRW)

[Kaptain Karl]

I accidentally deleted my notes so I'll do my best!

This comes from a clearance box that has gorgeous colorado maduro wrappers with plenty of sheen. They could easily pass as a grade or two higher than PE!

1/3rd: Dark coffee, spice, sugared cream. 

2/3rd: Dark coffee, sugared cream, twang, and licorice

3/3rd: Dark Coffee, sugared cream, twang and licorice. 

Construction, draw and burn were absolutely perfect. 

Smoke output was prodigious. Flavor was full and strength was medium full. 

I had one from this box a few months ago and it didnt do much for me. Ohhh what a difference a few months make!!! This was firing on all cylinders and was just fantastic. I finished a box of 46's this year with light wrappers that was fantastic. The dark wrapper brought in the dark coffee and cream, while the lighter wrapper had harder to distinguish medium brown flavors (wish I would have utilized the cuban cigar website smoking diary earlier!) with the same amount of sweetness. I'm not sure if I like the dark wrapper more than the light, but needless to say they're both fantastic!! The flavors had depth and complexity to them, even though there was not significant transitions to them. 

Per the grading chart below, this is a 92 pointer for outstanding! Best cigar for me in a few weeks!

 

[ChangBang]

Nice review!  I was under the impression that these needed to age for 3-5+ before they were good.  I may have to smoke the single I have now!

[Kaptain Karl]

Just now, ChangBang said:

Nice review!  I was under the impression that these needed to age for 3-5+ before they were good.  I may have to smoke the single I have now!

Nope!! They're stronger but the flavor well balanced with no harshness. The last box I had smoked brilliantly between 1-2 years of the box date! 

[joeypots]

I think it's the best vitola. PP, Mag 46, and the Siglo IV all have a place in my smoking rotation. Not too big, not too small, not too fat, not too skinny. And when someone stops by my studio its takes just the right amount of time to smoke, about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. 

[Kaptain Karl]

1 hour ago, joeypots said:

I think it's the best vitola. PP, Mag 46, and the Siglo IV all have a place in my smoking rotation. Not too big, not too small, not too fat, not too skinny. And when someone stops by my studio its takes just the right amount of time to smoke, about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. 

Agreed! I want to add a box of JL1’s as well, word is the 19 production is phenomenal! 

[mprach024]

On 12/31/2020 at 12:49 PM, joeypots said:

I think it's the best vitola. PP, Mag 46, and the Siglo IV all have a place in my smoking rotation. Not too big, not too small, not too fat, not too skinny. And when someone stops by my studio its takes just the right amount of time to smoke, about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. 

Agree!  Corona gorda is absolutely my favorite vitola

[mprach024]

On 12/31/2020 at 2:12 PM, Kaptain Karl said:

Agreed! I want to add a box of JL1’s as well, word is the 19 production is phenomenal! 

Epi 1s as well. Those are also smoking the house down.  Rob and Ken should do Corona gordas for their video reviews at some point. Outside of the pyramids it seems this size has been some of the most consistent performers.  

[Shrimpchips]

On 12/31/2020 at 2:12 PM, Kaptain Karl said:

Agreed! I want to add a box of JL1’s as well, word is the 19 production is phenomenal! 

Corona gordas in my limited experience are my favorite vitola as well.  Heard the JL1 UTL 19s are supposed to be really good as well, and was lucky to score a box myself. From all the reviews on the JL1s though, seems like it’s remarkably consistently well reviewed regardless across different dates/codes.