H. Upmann Magnum 50 - GEL JUL 20 (OYMRW2)

[saltbox]

It was an early start for work today, so again, wrapped up earlier in the afternoon and had time for a bigger smoke. Hadn't dipped into this box yet, and it's been resting for 7 months, so it felt like a good idea. Haven't tried the vitola before, but have definitely noticed the somewhat polarized opinions on this one. Some love the blend, others find it airy and flavorless.

First third: started at 3:32pm, opens with a light cream and honey sweetness. There's a soft nuttiness which has something that I can maybe imagine is a bit of honeydew to it, but I feel like I'm just trying to find the stonefruit flavor often cited in reviews. About 3/4 inches in, a white peach flavor suddenly kicks in on the retrohale and I understand. It's a classy blend of cream and very lightly salty nuttiness on the palate, with these nice white peach and coffee notes on the retrohale.

Middle third: 3:56pm, this is smoking faster than I expected for the size, and the cigar itself didn't feel particularly underfilled. Coffee and leather pick up on the retrohale. Shortbread and creamy nuttiness on the palate. The white peach fruitiness has faded into the background but it's not completely gone.

Last third: 4:17pm, shortbread, coffee, and cream through to the end, with the occasional faint fruitiness on the finish. Nubbed at 4:44pm.

Overall: 1 hr 12 min smoking time, way faster than I expected. I see where the complaints about the airiness come from, although I didn't find it as airy/light as the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill. I'm definitely a fan. The flavor profile was classy and complex, and while I was able to pick out some individual flavors there was definitely more to this one than I was capable of describing. 91/100

[ChangBang]

Nice review, I plan on smoking one tonight!  How was the draw?  1hr and 12min sounds quicker than I'd imagine

[NSXCIGAR]

31 minutes ago, philipl said:

I didn't find it as airy/light as the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill.

As light as the Mag 50 is, the RyJ WC is probably the king of air. I would agree there.

[KavalanWhisky]

Never been a fan of the Mag 50 until I smoke 2020 stock, its so tasty, great review!

[saltbox]

2 hours ago, ChangBang said:

Nice review, I plan on smoking one tonight!  How was the draw?  1hr and 12min sounds quicker than I'd imagine

It was definitely a lot quicker than I expected, I had planned for an almost 2 hour smoke. 
 

It felt a bit light but not noticeably under filled. The draw was on the looser side of ideal but not wind tunnel like for sure. 
 

I’m currently smoking a non Cuban lancero and am coming up on over 1.5 hours now, so I’m not a particularly fast smoker normally. 

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, KavalanWhisky said:

Never been a fan of the Mag 50 until I smoke 2020 stock, its so tasty, great review!

I've heard that every year since 2017. I try one every year and it's as airy and bland as ever. I've surrendered. 

[KavalanWhisky]

3 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I've heard that every year since 2017. I try one every year and it's as airy and bland as ever. I've surrendered. 

Sorry to hear, I've never found a good one 2016-19 but this year was different.

I tended to find the 46 the best then 54.

[Silverstix]

Have been sampling from a DIC 18 box and they have definitely been full flavored for me, and I'm the one that will smoke a BBF with my morning coffee!  Maybe it was the vitola but it definitely felt like it packed some oomph to it.  I have to sample another one now!! 

[Thirdcoastwatch]

Nice review!

[karp]

Nice review! The peach and nuttiness you describe are spot on.

[SCgarman]

20 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I've heard that every year since 2017. I try one every year and it's as airy and bland as ever. I've surrendered. 

Totally agreed. These tasted to me like they were just filled with a ton of bland, one dimensional filler. Not for me. 

I'll keep smoking my Connie #1's until my last day and die happy!