Seth's Humidor

H. Upmann Sir Winston

I've talked about the history of the H. Upmann brand and its excellence and how it is one of my favorites and it is now time I review one of their most infamous vitolas and also one of the most notable cigars in the Habanos portfolio. Named after Winston Churchill himself the cigar is incredible. The churchill vitola gets its name from Sir Winston Churchill and I believe it is only right and honorable that they name a cigar after him as well. As everyone knows, Sir Winston Churchill was an avid cigar smoker and lover of the churchill size. Though the H. Upmann was not his favorite brand, he preferred Romeo Y Julieta and La Aroma De Cuba (no longer Cuban but made in Nicargua) I believe he would really enjoy this vitola. The cigar is your standard churchill measuring 7" with a 47 ring gauge. The wrapper is chocolate brown in color and has a wonderful aromas of coffee, cocoa and sweet tobacco.

The cigar opens up very smoothly with no spice present and has a rich earthy quality to it. There is a hint of vanilla on the finish and as it gets further in there is an emergence of bitter-sweet chocolate and coffee. The cigar is still as smooth as it began and very flavorful. Entering the second third of the cigar I begin to pick up strong notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans with a sweet nutty finish as well. The creaminess returns halfway through this third and the cigar still remains very rich. I am in the final third now and it is probably the fullest part of the cigar. There are notes of white pepper, coffee and dark chocolate and it has a long nutty finish. The cigar is still very smooth but incredibly rich and showcases true balance in a cigar. The cigar burned evenly throughout and at no point ever got hot.

This was an incredible cigar and with all of its flavors was very balanced as well. I would give this cigar a 96 and definitely think it will be in the Top 25 of 2021. I have a couple of these left in my humidor and the thoughts I have are of saving them or smoking them all right now. I am not one who thinks Cuban cigars are better than non-Cuban but I believe that Habanos S.A. really captures the notion of flavor and balance in cigars over strength. I know that a lot of smokers want really strong and big cigars but I don't share those views. Truly a great churchill and one of the best on the market.

H. Upmann