H.Upmann Banker Daytrader (C&DMar24)

[eaglebear29]

H. Upmann Banker Daytrader single 
 Sweet creamy brownie mix on the cold draw unlike the Diesel by AJ Fernandez I contemplated this is sweetened chocolate 

First 3rd
Little less sweet on the light up but still sweet chocolate brownie.
No harsh edges. Dry boxed for 2 months 1 month at 65-63% still hard draw with punch cut, so 1 month with no boveda 

 

Second 3rd

Sweetness from chocolate in the second third faded. The sweetness turned more into Cedar sweetness. Had to v cut just when I thought it was only bitter chocolate linear and pretty disappointing, with the same hint of sweetness like a cedar sweetness, I got a faint, chocolate mint flavor, very faint.

Just when I was bummed about not getting the chocolate mint ice cream faint flavor. I get a faint taste of it again and the cedarness is gone. It’s more back to plain chocolate brownie, good, but not great. God I'm picky on this one since I got that chocolate mint flavor. I’d like the chocolate mint to shine, still a little disappointing.

Finally, halfway through the second third, this is the most chocolatey brownie cigar I’ve had yet.

 

Final 3rd

The chocolate mint ice cream isn’t as faint as before now it’s every few puffs but still a faint flavor. Mint faded and went to a chocolate browning and so overall it was good but not great down to the nub.

I'm thinking if I give my other couple boxes some more time then maybe that chocolate mint ice cream will really shine through taking this from a good cigar to a great one. 

I'm a little tough on this one as it would've probably been great as chocolate brownie, and the best chocolate brownie cigar, but just having that little tease of the chocolate mint ice cream, just tells me these aren't ready yet, or maybe I need to smoke one at a higher humidity like some NW are great at. Only issue in that regard, it was packed so dang tight I didn't have a choice and had to put it in with my CCs then dry box more. The original flavor/aroma before I did that was amazing and great after too. Who knows, sounds like I need to now see if I can find a looser packed one and give it a go at a higher RH. Time to experiment some more with this one and eventually do another review. 

I'd give this one a 90/100 for construction issues/draw along with having to relight and correct a burn, taking away a few points. Would be a 88/100 but, I'll give it back 1 point for the best chocolate brownie smoke, and the potential of the chocolate mint ice cream flavor that I've never got before. 1 point was given back too for the construction of the cap, and all H.Upmann NW's I've had have had amazing caps, the photo in this one is crap, but they've all had this crazy 1/8th in. cap when I first start w/ a punch cut. 

 

Drink / Cream Soda Zevia

(Great for pairings for me, along with the Creamy Rootbeer and Cola that has a little caffeine since I don't like the sugar to takeaway from my cigar buzz). These can compliment a lot of good cigars.

 

My Top 5 favorite drink pairings so far

1) Matcha Latte, or Straight hot, but not boiled Matcha (great with Grassy twany CCs and NWs as well my main go to)

2) Creamy Rootbeer Zevia (Great with Creamy NW and CCs) 

3) Cream soda Zevia (This one ive found Like the creamy Rootbeer, the Creaminess can pair with just about all)

4) Cola Zevia (Only had with my favorite NW Maduros and its great)

5) Cherry Cola Zevia (I want to try a RyJ for the first time with this drink good with some of my favorite Liga Privadas especially the Nasty Fritas since that NW by itself I get Cherry Cola notes)

[smitte3]

Great review! Smoked one last weekend and it also had draw issues, which made the experience difficult even though I enjoyed the flavors. Going to try another at some point, but noticing a trend.

[eaglebear29]

5 hours ago, smitte3 said:

Great review! Smoked one last weekend and it also had draw issues, which made the experience difficult even though I enjoyed the flavors. Going to try another at some point, but noticing a trend.

Thank you! Well glad I got your feedback on that part, wish it wasn't so on the draw issues. hopefully we both just got unlucky. I'll go grab another stick here soon and see. 

How did you store yours, smoked straight up, or did you do any dry boxing or CC RH% kind of storage?

[smitte3]

Bought it from my cigar lounge. Toro size so must have been around 70%; used the perfect draw a bunch, but that didn't really help so must have been really wet in general. Picked up a Robusto size to take home, which will be closer to 62-65% when I get to it.

[eaglebear29]

Right on, yeah mine was a toro as well, ok sounds good. Well let me know how it ends up going, these have me really curious now.