H. Upmann 175th Anniversary Churchill - 2019 #10 Cigar of the Year

Selected by Cigar Aficionado as the 2019 #10 Cigar of the Year - Rated 93

In 2019, the legendary H. Upmann brand recognized its 175^th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with an H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary cigar, blended and rolled by some of the most gifted cigar experts on the planet? The primary release of two separate celebratory cigars released in 2019, H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary is a made for Altadis U.S.A. by the infamous AJ Fernandez, in collaboration with the world famous Grupo de Maestros. To say they went all-out is no doubt an understatement. Rolled in the state-of-the-art Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A., this gorgeous specimen is a true Nicaraguan puro, meaning every single component is grown in Nicaragua. The unique wrapper is a Nicaraguan medio tiempo leaf—one of the highest primings on the plant—fermented while sandwiched between broadleaf tobacco. It is offered in one size, a luxurious 7” x 50 Churchill, and a relatively modest 14,750 boxes were produced. That’s right, it is a single-run limited edition, so when they’re gone, they’re gone! Thankfully, though, if you are reading this, you still have a chance to indulge in one of the most amazing cigars of recent years. So amazing, in fact, that it earned a rock-solid 93 rating in Cigar Aficionado and a high spot on the widely recognized Top 25 Cigars of the Year list for 2019.

Everything about the cigar is beautiful, from the oily dark wrapper leaf to the glistening golden band, to the luxurious packaging and the unique foot band noting the incredible collaboration between AJ Fernandez and the Grupo de Maestros. A straight cut unveils an easy draw which produces baffling clouds of rich, blue smoke. The burn is razor sharp, the ash is dark and flaky, and the burn is slow and velvety smooth. Beginning creamy and rich, with a few blasts of cedar and cinnamon, the elegant flavor profile of H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary begins to emerge into a story of spicy white pepper, rich cocoa, and bold, powerful raw tobacco. At first light, this is a medium-full-bodied smoke, but by the end, it is an absolute full-bodied powerhouse of a cigar. Words cannot describe the incredible richness and balance displayed by this unmatched beast of a cigar.

Beginners should look elsewhere. This is a cigar for the true connoisseurs. It is a celebration stick, something to wow the cigar freak that is in constant search of the “best smoke ever.” Bold, easy to smoke, and topped off with mind-numbing complexity, H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary is that cigar you save to enjoy alongside XO Cognac or aged tawny port. It’s the cigar you would reach for if you crave the likes of Padron 1926 or Ashton VSG. It is all things classic, yet so refined and special that it can’t help but be set apart from the rest. Whether celebrating the nearly 2 centuries the H. Upmann name has adorned top-shelf cigars, or celebrating one of your own lifetime achievements, celebrate with an H. Upmann 175^th Anniversary and rest assured you are smoking one of the finest cigars money can buy.