H.Upmann Half Corona TOA MAY 22. FSCRC

[Lewberry]

H.Upmann Half Corona  - TOA MAY 22

Paired with: Nespresso Bianco Doppio w/ Milk & Sweet Cream

Let me preface this review. This is my second smoked CC (first one = Monte 4), and my first review/writeup, so here it goes..

Construction Notes/ First Draw: Good, smooth, round construction. It peeves me a little when cigars look wonked or pressed to oblivion and lose their symmetry.  Looking down the barrel, the leaf looks well distributed and no signs of veins or hard pack. Went with a Vee cut on this one, thinking the size of this cigar would lend well. Draw seemed easy, little resistance, and I picked up something a hay/grass like quality mixed with milk chocolate and hazelnut. Was very excited to get this thing lit.

Experience/ Tasting Notes: Being a shorter stick, what I liked and enjoyed was some complexity and evolution with a shorter timed smoking experience. White pepper, cedar front during the beginning light and first couple of draws, opened up and settled into a pleasant granola.  Also, is this the Cuban twang, I think, I've been enlightened to? NICE. Unsweetened tea, gingerbread notes (but without the spice) through the first and into the second third. I DO feel that nice nicotine buzz beginning to build up strong in this tight little punch. Shortbread breads and walnut dances around as things start to smooth out through the second third. I am getting baking cacao throughout, though subtle, adding some nice layering and making a thoroughly enjoyable mid smoke. Getting "in the pocket", the cacao ramps up and a slight raisin-y and syrupy texture pulls through and lingers on the finish. I hope I can get this thing down to the nub. Unfortunately, as the cap beings to unravel and cigar begins to burn offsides (likely due to the wind conditions), this thing slowly burns out.

Final Impressions/ Rating - 6.3 / 10: Due to a slow start, touch ups along the way and eventual unraveling of the cap, I have to pull my grade down a little, though, with no disappointment. I think the uneven burn contributed to my eventual frustration and eventually the cigar going out before getting to the end. I was left with a few REALLY GOOD draws and a long, lingering satisfaction on my palate. I think I will give these some time to settle more, and revisit another in another 6 months or so...

[Russell]

Good review Lew. I have some with a year on em and are really good. I feel with these smaller Cubans the burn consistency can be hit or miss. But they sure are nice when time is short and when they’re on they’re on.

[14eyes]

This is my go to smoke