Origin : Cuba
Format : Half Corona
Size : 3.5 x 44 (90 x 17 mm)
Ring : 44
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6
The H. Upmann Half Corona was released in 2011 and quickly became quite a popular cigar and a regular smoke for many cigar aficionados around the world. Why? It isn’t just the flavors, the construction and the price of this stogie that make it popular, but the size, which is a distinguishing characteristic. This Half Corona measures just 3.5” with a 44 ring gauge, making it a short cigar. You can smoke one of these at a leisurely pace and still finish up in less than 40 minutes, so it is perfect if you are pressed for time and still want to enjoy a nice stogie.
Appearance : Rating: 
The Half Corona stands out because of its short, squat shape and size. The Cuban wrapper is a medium brown with a few small veins and a well-constructed triple cap. Pre-light aroma smells of hay, cocoa, and honey.
Construction : Rating:
The draw is a tad firm but by no means problematic. The burn is just slightly uneven, but barely required any touch-ups. The ash held on for an amazingly long time without disrupting the draw or burn at all. Construction is close to perfect.
Flavor : Rating: 
(3.75)
I expected hay given the pre-light aroma, but I got cedar when I first lit up. There is a bit of spice thrown in for good measure, and the flavors take on a creamier characteristic as the stogie approaches the middle third. At this point, the honey I smelled on pre-light emerges, and only then does the hay really come to the foreground. The peppery spiciness builds up toward the final third, and the cream melts into the backdrop. The cocoa note also plays in the backdrop throughout the smoke. There is something nutty in the final third as well, and the cedar note lingers until the very end. Overall, nothing to get too excited about but the cigar is far from boring.
Value : Rating:
Given that these are roughly $6 each, they are quite reasonable. While I often enjoy a cigar which I can smoke for a good long time, sometimes you need something that isn’t going to fill such a large space of time. And for that, these Half Coronas are perfect.
Overall Rating : Rating: (4.25)
There is nothing not to like about the H. Upmann Half Corona. These cigars are small, affordable, and ideal for days when you are pressed for time and want to relax—but cannot afford an hour and a half to enjoy a stogie. The flavors and aromas are pretty good and the construction is great. I can definitely see why these have become a regular favorite for so many smokers.
This post was written by Denis aka Inspector, who founded CigarInspector.com back in 2007. Click here for his latest articles and more information.
