H. Upmann Magnum 46 Tubo ??? Thanksgiving Comp

[Low]

This cigar was gifted to me in 2019, so I'm not entirely sure of the year or factory. I recently asked the man who gave it to me how old it was, and he said it was at least an 18, but as old as 2016. I'm smoking this with my best friend, but he's never had a Cuban before, so I laid out a small spread of approachable cigars for him, QdO 50, Cuaba Divinos, PLPC, and Monte 4. Asked him if he preferred honey, peanut butter, caramel, or milk chocolate. He answered milk chocolate so a 2019 Monte 4 is what I prescribed.

Not much to get off the Mag 46 wrapper or cold draw, just pure Cuban barnyard. Straight cut, soft flame, paired with ice water.

First 3rd - Roasted macadamia nuts that definitely need salt, graham cracker, wood, an unidentifiable stone fruit somewhere between dark cherry and unripe apricot, with a little bit of vanilla sweetness. Smoke output is exactly where I want it, almost a chimney, and the burn is excellent. Body is medium full. My friend is enjoying his smoke, and the conversation is more of an interview as he asks me questions about sizes, flavors, storage, and all that jazz pertaining to Cubans.

 

second 3rd - The roasted macadamia nuts are the clear star, wood has become a little charred, chocolate has replaced the fruit, and the sweetness has ramped up. It tastes like a chocolate croissant that has been burned ever so slightly. A small amount of a metallic aftertaste has found its way into the finish. This thing is an absolute treat. The friend isn't getting the milk chocolate I described earlier, so I teach him how to retrohale. He gets it now, so I let him try mine (yes I know its a faux pas, but we've known each other since we were 6 years old, so who cares), and is blown away by the flavor. It looks like he's seen God.

 

Final 3rd - The nuts have added a little salt and its all the better for it. The wood has now added a leather characteristic, and the chocolate has maintained. A surprising creaminess has crept into the fold, playing into the over baked croissant even further. In my experience, It's not often that cream can show up this late into a smoke, but I suppose that's one of the benefits of age. This is the fourth friend that I've introduced to Cuban tobacco, and without fail, every one has said something to the effect of "Goddamn you, now I've got to buy some."

 

9/10 - Potential for a 9.25 to 9.5. This was an exemplary smoke, finding its way into my top five for easy to find regular production, and with maybe one more flavor (coffee please) it would be contending for number one. I bought a 6 sampler a couple months ago from 24:24 that have been resting as a trail run for a box, and I think this has convinced me to fully commit. 99% of my 21-22 cigars I've had have been smoking beautifully, so I can only imagine what a 22 box with 5 years on it will do. 

 

[rcarlson]

Terrific review!

[Chibearsv]

I just finished a 2013 box that were great as well.  Shhh, don't tell anyone

[ayedfy]

Great review! I recently review one from my 2017 box and yeah, age does incredible things to these. Perfectly smokeable young, but the complexity and body after 5 years was phenomenal. 

[Low]

45 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

Shhh, don't tell anyone

I got the next one off of 24:24, you get the one after that. It'll be our little secret 

[MossybackR]

Nice review.

[El Presidente]

Superb review of a cigar that "when on" dances like there is no tomorrow. 

I am so glad that you saw the best of the 46 

[Low]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Superb review of a cigar that "when on" dances like there is no tomorrow. 

I am so glad that you saw the best of the 46 

I only smoke about once a week since I'm in the cold months, so I've had a couple of days to reflect, and the perfect word to describe the 46 is balance. Everything played off of one another, nothing too strong and nothing too weak. Like an orchestra of flavors, weaving in and out. Just when I would think "I want a little more chocolate" it would deliver as if by magic. The longer I think about it, the more it climbs up my personal favorite list.