H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 Cigar - 1 Single
Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016 by Staff
£33.99
Reviewed by Michael Griffith (November 2000)
A few weeks ago I went to check the mail and eureka! A package from my favorite travel book club had arrived. Inside were three H Upmann Connoisseur No. 1s . I wanted to light one right there on the street but decided that about a week in the humidor would give them the chance to settle down a little after their long journey. It wasn't easy. Everyday as I would pick out a daily smoke there they were tempting me. But I was strong and waited until the right opportunity presented itself.
The cigars appeared a little rough, all three having veins down the length of a rich brown wrapper. The pre-smoke aroma was very pleasant yet mild. One of the cigars had a slightly smaller diameter along with a slight reddish hue to the wrapper. I measured all three. Two were identical at 127mm x 19.05mm, the third measured at 127mm x 17.5mm. I assumed they were pulled from different boxes. A very solid construction. The caps were not the perfect triple cap that I have noted on most Cuban cigars. All three cut without a problem.
The first cigar I smoked while sitting in the den while my wife was doing some work on the computer one evening. I tested the pre-light draw and found it a little tight. The amount of smoke while not what I expected from this diameter was adequate. There was plenty of flavor but it was very mild. I found the finish to be short. My wife's comments on the aroma were positive, "kind of mellow". About an inch down a very notable bulge formed and the cigar began to burn uneven. Several splits in the wrapper and I thought I would have to retire this soldier early. The bulge lasted about another inch but the burn never corrected. The ash was a solid gray color that held well despite the uneven burn. I could detect a little nutty flavor in the first half with overtones of cocoa during the latter.
The second cigar I smoked midafternoon while everyone was out of the house. Total quite. It was nice. The draw on this cigar was not as tight as the first. It lit without a problem providing just slightly more smoke than the first. Just like the first a very mild smoke with plenty of flavor. Again an uneven burn but no bulging this time. The wrapper started to come loose but this stopped after about 3/4 an inch. The burn while uneven was no deterrent in enjoying this smoke. It stayed firm, ashed well and provided for a very relaxing afternoon. Like the first a somewhat nutty taste that kicked in with cocoa at half-time. The body was consistent from start to end. Very mild but good flavor and a short finish.
The final sample was the one that measured at the smaller diameter than its companions. As I expected the draw on this cigar was very tight. I tried in earnest but it just wouldn't go. As disappointing as it was I gave up on this bugger about halfway through. I would guess that it was just rolled to tight.
I was a little disappointed in the burning characteristics of this cigar but everything else gave the indication of a good mild cigar perfect for the morning or midday smoke. Something that I could enjoy after a noon meal or a light dinner. Or with the a good cup of coffee and the Sunday paper on a crisp autumn morning.
A few weeks ago I went to check the mail and eureka! A package from my favorite travel book club had arrived. Inside were three H Upmann Connoisseur No. 1s . I wanted to light one right there on the street but decided that about a week in the humidor would give them the chance to settle down a little after their long journey. It wasn't easy. Everyday as I would pick out a daily smoke there they were tempting me. But I was strong and waited until the right opportunity presented itself.
The cigars appeared a little rough, all three having veins down the length of a rich brown wrapper. The pre-smoke aroma was very pleasant yet mild. One of the cigars had a slightly smaller diameter along with a slight reddish hue to the wrapper. I measured all three. Two were identical at 127mm x 19.05mm, the third measured at 127mm x 17.5mm. I assumed they were pulled from different boxes. A very solid construction. The caps were not the perfect triple cap that I have noted on most Cuban cigars. All three cut without a problem.
The first cigar I smoked while sitting in the den while my wife was doing some work on the computer one evening. I tested the pre-light draw and found it a little tight. The amount of smoke while not what I expected from this diameter was adequate. There was plenty of flavor but it was very mild. I found the finish to be short. My wife's comments on the aroma were positive, "kind of mellow". About an inch down a very notable bulge formed and the cigar began to burn uneven. Several splits in the wrapper and I thought I would have to retire this soldier early. The bulge lasted about another inch but the burn never corrected. The ash was a solid gray color that held well despite the uneven burn. I could detect a little nutty flavor in the first half with overtones of cocoa during the latter.
The second cigar I smoked midafternoon while everyone was out of the house. Total quite. It was nice. The draw on this cigar was not as tight as the first. It lit without a problem providing just slightly more smoke than the first. Just like the first a very mild smoke with plenty of flavor. Again an uneven burn but no bulging this time. The wrapper started to come loose but this stopped after about 3/4 an inch. The burn while uneven was no deterrent in enjoying this smoke. It stayed firm, ashed well and provided for a very relaxing afternoon. Like the first a somewhat nutty taste that kicked in with cocoa at half-time. The body was consistent from start to end. Very mild but good flavor and a short finish.
The final sample was the one that measured at the smaller diameter than its companions. As I expected the draw on this cigar was very tight. I tried in earnest but it just wouldn't go. As disappointing as it was I gave up on this bugger about halfway through. I would guess that it was just rolled to tight.
I was a little disappointed in the burning characteristics of this cigar but everything else gave the indication of a good mild cigar perfect for the morning or midday smoke. Something that I could enjoy after a noon meal or a light dinner. Or with the a good cup of coffee and the Sunday paper on a crisp autumn morning.
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