H. Upmann Cigars 1844 Reserve

H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Belicoso

Cigar Aficionado · Jan 1, 2013

H. Upmann has really reinvented itself. The Dominican-made brand is a major mark owned by Altadis U.S.A. Inc. and received a complete tobacco makeover in 2011. What was once an Indonesian TBN wrapper became a rich Ecuadoran Habano cover leaf, the binder was switched from Dominican to Nicaraguan and the Brazilian component of the blend is gone, leaving only Dominican filler behind. In otherwords, it's an entirely different cigar. Though the classic packaging remains essentially the same, the flavors are now amped up not only in strength but complexity. The best expression of this new blend is undoubtedly in the Belicoso, which delivers a substantial serving of heady, fresh tobacco notes and a warm, toasty finish. While Altadis counts six varieties of H. Upmann in its portfolio, this one truly stands out.

Figurado · 6.13″ × 52 · Dominican Republic

H. Upmann 1844 Reserve

Holt's Staff Reviews · Mar 5, 2020

Here we go again. Next up for review, is one of the very first premium cigar brands to come into existence, H. Upmann. The brand dates back to 1844 in Havana, Cuba and is known today for both its Cuban and Dominican-made blends. Throughout its history, this heralded brand has had its ups and downs along with some iconic fans. For an in-depth introduction to H. Upmann, check out our article on the brand’s historic reputation. Today, I am reviewing H. Upmann 1844 Reserve in a classic 5 x 50 Robusto. The blend is produced in the Dominican Republic by Altadis U.S.A.

H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Special Edition

Halfwheel · Oct 15, 2013

If you talk to someone who really knows about Davidoff, and its Dominican production operation, you'll hear a name, Eladio Díaz, Davidoff's master blender. He's not the face of the operation, but he's one of the most important blenders in the world and in addition to his work at Davidoff, he makes cigars for himself and for his friends. They aren't sold, there's only a few thousand cigars made annually and they are given out to a small enough circle that they remain one of two or three entries on my holy grail list. The cigars are also anything but Davidoff. They are almost universally described as full-body, full flavor and yes, full strength. And it's with that I wonder what the blenders at Altadis, the world's largest premium cigar company, smoke—because it surely is not this, it just can't be. The H. Upmann Special Edition Magnum was not unsmokeable; it was however a complete waste of time and money, except for you—the reader—who at this point should understand that I wouldn't recommend smoking this cigar, regardless of if you paid for it. Blending isn't easy and taste is subjective, but if this is the best you can do with what is inevitably the world's largest supply of premium cigar tobacco, I will be anything but impressed; thus the following score.

Gordo · Dominican Republic