At this years Tobacco Plus Expo, Altadis U.S.A. was showcasing their latest extension to the H. Upmann line. Known as H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut it is produced at La Flor de Copan in Honduras under the watchful eyes of Grupo de Maestros. This is the 4th extension to the H. Upmann 1844 heritage portfolio. The others are the the H. Upmann 1844 Vintage Cameroon, 1844 Reserve, and the 1844 Añejo.
In a press release earlier this year, Rafael Nodal, Head of Product Capability Tabacalera USA stated:
“The blend used for the 1844 Classic reflects elevated tradition and the heritage of the H. Upmann brand. I am very proud of the passion and dedication of the Grupo de Maestros of La Flor de Copan, for crafting a blend that will satisfy seasoned cigar aficionados and those discovering the category alike.”
The H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut features a bold blend wrapped in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper:
- Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
- Binder: Honduras
- Filler: Honduras
The H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut is expressed in 4 vitolas and comes packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Corona (5 x 44) – MSRP $7.10
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $7.40
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $7.70
- Churchill (7 x 50) – MSRP $8.00
For this review, I sampled one of the H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut Toro which is all I needed to appreciate this blend.
Pre-Light Examination
My journey with the H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut began with its eye catching, golden tan wrapper, that had a mild sheen and minimal veins. Running my fingers along the barrel, it had a silky smooth feel to it. The cigar looked solidly constructed with a firm bunch from head to foot. A double cap finishes the presentation.
A single band adorns the 1844 Classic Connecticut. It uses a classic band design that employs a gold and white motif with embossed printing. The H. Upmann logo is center in the band with the year “1844” and the word CLASSIC” below. If I was to dig on something it would the band color. I just felt like it did not pop on the background of the golden tan wrapper.
One the visual portion of the examination was out of the way, it was time turn on the nasal sensors. I ran the barrel across the nose and would say I picked up a baking spice note while the foot exuded a lightly pungent fermenting Pilón note.
Now it is time to taste, the best part of the pre-light experience, especially if it has pre-light notes that make you want to comp on this more than usual, and that is exactly what the H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut provided. The cold draw was nicely restricted and offered peppery notes at the start along with a hint of natural tobacco sweetness that hides in the background. The more I cold puffed, I started to detect a mild nut component add to the mix. This is one that has tasty pre light.
With the pre-light examination out of the way, it was time fire it up and see what kind of journey the H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut is going to give me. I used the soft flame of a cedar spill to warm the foot, so as not to accidently scorch the wrapper. As I rotated the foot above the flame, it warmed up nicely showing signs of ignition. All it need was a few puffs and the foot was glowing red and a medium pepper blast of smoke filled my palate and woke up the nasals on the retro-hale Follow along as I break down the H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut and burn it to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Medium pepper burst on first draw and retro-hale
- Thick creamy smoke (smoke rung texture)
- Pepper recedes and a slight paper note begins to enter the profile
- Light grey ash forms on top of a fairly even medium char line
- The early paper note has faded and gave way to a mouth watering fruit note
- This is a smooth draw as natural sweetness adds to the pleasure
- Ash dropped early revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Cream and coffee notes start to develop moving into the second third
- Mild wave in burn forms but does not require a touch up
- Fruit notes have been swirling in and out of the profile
- Light cinnamon notes join the mix, deep in the second third
- Medium in Strength
- Slight bitter sweet note enters in the final third
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 Minutes
Final Analysis
The H. Upmann 1844 Classic Connecticut should be a welcome addition to your collection of Connecticut wrapped cigars. Once it blew past a traditional papery note early in the burn, the flavors started to ramp up, adding a nuanced complexity in each puff. I especially enjoyed the fruit notes that swirled in and out along with the light cinnamon note deep in the second third. The burn was fairly even through most of the journey, but did start to wave off near the final third but did not force a touch-up. This is a great value at just $7.70 and if you are a lover of Connecticut shade cigars, I would pick up a box and enjoy them any time of day, but especially in the morning. I rate this a 91
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Slight wave in the burn(-1) Papery notes early in the burn; (-1) Off burn deep in the second third
Bonus Points: (+1) Pick up a box
