H. Upmann Coronas J Tubed Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016 by Staff

Reviewed by Martin Cooper

A BEGINNERS EPIPHANY (Subtitled: Not a particularly 'flowery' review, and devoid of any great adjectives, but one which I thought I should share).

I'm a relative newcomer to the cigar scene having been gradually introduced, and cajoled, into the delights of Cubans by my good friend Kev over the past few years. Often a visit to his house would involve a series of long chats into the early hours, a bottle or two of sensuous dark rum, and of course a couple of cigars. Cigars handed to me with names which i cannot remember and descriptions of tastes that, I'm afraid to admit, I just didn't get.

To me, the tastes were easily categorised into those I did like and those I didn't. What was I missing? I was even beginning to feel there was a massive conspiracy against me, and that all mention of spices, cream, etc were invented by unscrupulous cigar merchants to rob the unwitting of their hard earned cash!!

Afraid of stretching my friend's patience too far, I took the plunge and ordered a couple of sampler packs from C.GARS Ltd. With eager anticipation, I received the package and over the next few days smoked a variety of cigars in the hope that I would find that missing link.

Alas, nothing.

I was determined not to give up. I persuaded some colleagues at work to join me in making a purchase from C.GARS Ltd, and with some advice from Kev and trepidation on my part, (after all, I'm no expert) I suggested to them the purchase of, amongst others, a handful of H. Upmann Tubed Coronas Junior

The box arrived and I put them to one side, not tempted to delve into them for the first couple of weeks. Until............

A gorgeous late-Spring evening in May, temperature still in the 70's even as the sun was setting over the house. I arrived home from work, kicked off my shoes and loosened my tie and spooned some ground coffee into the cafeteria. As I settled into the garden chair and sipped my coffee I got the overwhelming urge to try one more time to find those tastes that had eluded me.

Opening the humijar (supplied free by C.GARS Ltd, thank you!), I chose a H. Upmann Tubed Coronas Junior and returned to the garden. Snipping the end and taking in the aroma, I was as hopeful as ever, but would I end up as disappointed as before?

It lit perfectly, as all cubans do, but the first few puffs left me feeling deflated and dejected. Was I EVER going to appreciate cigars properly?

Then it happened.

An overwhelming taste that made my taste buds jump to attention! A smooth caressing creamy feeling inside my mouth as I held the smoke there for a split second! Was that nuts?? I think it was!, but sweet! perhaps coconut, but with a slight kick! - pistachio?!? I wasn't sure - but I liked it!! An indefinable spicy taste that made the sides of my tongue tingle! Even the feel of the thing as I rolled it between my fingers was something I'd never experienced before!

And it lasted!.........................right down to the very last puff. I smoked it down to the band and beyond, I just didn't want to stop!

You'll be pleased to learn, (as I was), this was no isolated incident, and has been repeated on every occasion since, with a variety of brands. I've even revisited my first purchases and can now enjoy them as they should be.

Although my taste buds have finally acclimatised themselves to the delights of fine smoking, the H. Upmann Tubed Coronas Junior will always be my favourite and remembered fondly as the smoke that opened the door and ushered me into the realm of true appreciation.

If you have a 'novice' friend who is struggling to appreciate your taste in fine cigars, hand them a H. Upmann Tubed Coronas Junior, tell them my story, and let them know that it IS true, good things DO come to those who wait !!!

P.S.................I still don't 'get' the 'chocolate' taste !! - Give me a nice bar of Bourneville any day !!

Well done.
Reviewed by: Robert Williams
Score - 7/10

It was a nice story. I was reminiscing of when I first started smoking cigars way back then. I too was searching for that spectacular flavour profile that I was reading. And then I had the one special smoke and boom I was getting all kinds of nuance and subtleties of the smoke. The review it self lacked a bit more info about the cigar being smoked.

Reviewed by: Steve Smith
Score: 7/10

What a great review, this captured my exact thoughts when I was but a newbie stogie stubber ! When will those taste buds pick up cream…is it really there or is there someone cleverly coming up with these tastes to sell more? Whilst I am sure this does happen in this case it does not, Nice cigar, well reviewed and great to see a newbie not afraid to persevere with discovering one of lifes great pleasures. !

Reviewed by: Mat Nicholls
Score: 8/10

OVERALL SCORE: 22/30