H. Upmann

Founded in Cuba in 1844, H. Upmann is a venerable Habanos brand renowned for its refined, light-to-medium cigars. Produced under the ownership of Habanos S.A., its portfolio is broadly structured around the core range, the Magnum series, and the Connoisseur family.

H. Upmann: Connoisseur B Specialist

The Lines of H. Upmann

H. Upmann’s production is categorised into three primary lines. The Core Range includes some of the house’s oldest regular-production cigars, spanning a wide array of formats from the brief Half Corona to the commanding Sir Winston.

The Magnum family, which began with the Magnum 46, focuses on heavier ring gauges and has become a staple for modern smokers seeking thicker formats.

The Connoisseur line, often abbreviated to Connossieur in recent releases, offers specific vitolas tailored for specialists. It historically began with the Connoisseur No.1 and has expanded to include a selection of robusto and corona extra sizes.

Notable Vitolas

The vitolas produced by H. Upmann represent a cross-section of traditional and contemporary Cuban rolling. The Sir Winston, a Julieta No.2 (178 mm by 47 ring gauge), is considered a benchmark for the Churchill format, requiring exceptional wrapper leaves and considerable age to reach its potential. The Upmann No.2 is a classic Piramides (156 mm by 52), offering a lighter, nuanced alternative to other well-known Cuban torpedoes.

In the Magnum family, the Magnum 46 (Coronas Gordas, 143 mm by 46) is the historical anchor, while the Magnum 50 (a double robusto introduced in 2008, 160 mm by 50) and the Magnum 54 (a robusto introduced in 2016, 120 mm by 54) accommodate the contemporary preference for thick formats.

The Connoisseur No.1 (Hermosos No.4, 127 mm by 48) and the Connossieur No.2 (Bohemios, introduced in 2020, 134 mm by 51) provide sophisticated options for those who prefer medium-gauge formats.

H. Upmann: Magnum 50

Smaller Formats and Daily Smokes

The H. Upmann portfolio is notable for its extensive range of smaller vitolas, which serve as accessible formats that retain the brand's profile. The Half Corona (90 mm by 44) was introduced in 2011 to accommodate the demand for a brief smoke. The Coronas Junior (Cadetes, 115 mm by 36) and Epicures (Epicures, 110 mm by 35) offer slender, short panetela formats that emphasise the wrapper's influence on the blend.

The Regalias (a Marevas format, 129 mm by 42) and Coronas Major (Eminentes, 132 mm by 42) provide classic petit corona and corona experiences. Finally, the Majestic (Cremas, 140 mm by 40) stands as a slender option for a mild, nuanced smoke.

Limited Editions and Special Releases

Beyond its regular-production portfolio, H. Upmann is frequently selected for special releases. The brand features prominently in the Reserva and Gran Reserva series, where aged tobacco is rolled into classic formats. The house also appears in the Colección Habanos series, producing rare book humidors. Edición Limitada releases are highly sought after, typically featuring dark wrappers and unique vitolas not found in the standard lines. Regional Editions are also common, reflecting the brand’s popularity among international distributors.

Collecting, Ageing, and Verification

H. Upmann cigars are known to benefit substantially from long-term ageing. Their light-to-medium blend often requires time in the humidor to shed youthful harshness and develop characteristic cedar, floral, and subtle nutty notes. Collectors often target cabinets of 50 for the Magnum 46 or dress boxes of Sir Winston, laying them down for five to ten years.

When acquiring boxes, always verify the box codes to confirm the factory and rolling date. Box dates are crucial for H. Upmann, as knowing the date allows a collector to plan their ageing schedule. For collectors in the UK, the EMS stamp is a reliable marker of duty-paid, quality-controlled stock.

Be vigilant regarding authenticity, particularly for high-value releases like the Sir Winston or Gran Reservas, as these are frequent targets for counterfeiting. For guidance on verification, consult our guide on how to spot fake Cuban cigars.

Specifications

At MokaCigar

Our humidor maintains a carefully inspected selection of H. Upmann cigars, condition-checked and stored for optimal development. At present, we hold regular-production formats including the Connossieur No.2, Connossieur A, and Magnum 54. For collectors seeking rare and aged boxes, our inventory includes the Colección Habanos Super Magnum 2020, the Magnum Finite Limited Edition 2024, the Magnum 52 Year of the Tiger, as well as the exceptional No.2 Reserva 2014 and Sir Winston Gran Reserva 2017. View our current stock on the H. Upmann brand page.

In our cellar

In stock now:

Sold-out archive (40 releases, enquiries welcome): Colección Habanos H. Upmann Magnum Especial 2007 (Habanos Collection), H. Upmann Aromaticos (Cellophane) Late 1970s, H. Upmann Connoisseur B LCDH, H. Upmann Coronas Early 1980s, H. Upmann Coronas Majors, H. Upmann Half Corona, H. Upmann Magnum 48 Limited Edition 2009, H. Upmann Magnum 50, H. Upmann Magnum 50 2008, H. Upmann Magnum 50 2008, H. Upmann Magnum 50 Gran Reserva Festival Gift Box, H. Upmann Magnum 50 Hunters & Frankau House Reserve 2008/2021, and more.

Questions collectors ask

+ What is the difference between the Magnum and Connoisseur lines?

+ How long should I age H. Upmann cigars?

+ Why is there a spelling variation in the Connoisseur line?

+ Are all H. Upmann cigars light in strength?