Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Jan 01, 2013

Score: 93

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.