H. Upmann Super Corona

Overall Score

1 review for H. Upmann Super Corona

  1. M****** B

    H. Upmann Super Coronas

    Origin : CubaH. Upmann
    Format : Corona Gorda
    Size : 5 5/8 x 46 (143 x 18 mm)
    Box date : SCO – August ’00
    Discontinued in 2002
    Hand-Made
    Price : Roughly $6/cigar in 2000, now approximately $20-25/cigar

    With the 2014 Bolivar Editión Limitada resurrecting the “Super Corona” name, I decided to try the long discontinued H. Upmann Super Corona (“HUSC”). I really like the H. Upmann line and I always enjoy an aged H. Upmann. I had one remaining single HUSC from a fiver as well as an unbroken box (same box code). I reviewed the single but have included photographs from the unbroken box. As these are smoked and become very hard to find, I think we could see market values rise to $700/box in the next few years.

    Appearance : [rating:3.5/5]
    Natural (Colorado Claro), fairly flat sheen, no prominent veins. Wrapper seems thinner and more delicate than I would expect from its color. Slightly box pressed. Ash is mottled gray.

    H. Upmann Super Coronas

    Construction : [rating:4/5]
    A little tight, as one would expect from a tightly packed dress box of 15 years. Most of the HUSCs I have smoked have been quite firm; however, this Super Corona has just the correct amount of resistance. Light-to-normal volume of smoke. Nice and even burn. Terrific construction, but the lightness of flavor and smoke necessitates occasional double-puffing. Towards the end, the fragile wrapper began to unravel, but was easily held together by careful handling. Lasted over an hour and a half.

    H. Upmann Super Coronas

    Flavor : [rating:4/5]
    Nice pre-light nose; smells almost fresh and young. Opens about as smooth as it gets. Initial taste of tea, leather, earth, cedar and lead – all well-balanced against each other. Overall, a little mild to begin and I have to fight the urge to double-puff for a stronger experience. About an inch in it becomes difficult to identify the components of flavor as they blend so well together. The absence of spice and pepper is notable.

    I paired it with a very dry gin martini which is almost too strong for the cigar (though it paired perfectly with a H. Upmann Royal Robusto last night), but it does emphasize the earth, wood and leather tastes. A scotch or bourbon would overwhelm this cigar. I’ve given in to the need to double-puff and am rewarded for it with an appropriate level of flavor. The tea and lead tastes have diminished and it tastes remarkably similar to an aged H. Upmann Monarch or Lonsdale.

    Halfway through, the flavor has built a bit but remains basically unchanged. The flavor continues to build into the last third, becoming a bit harsh. Nicotine strength was much stronger than expected. I guess these have quite a bit of time until they peak.

    Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
    This HUSC was a very good cigar. I think the Super Coronas were likely just ordinary H. Upmanns when produced, but it became a sought after rarity once it was discontinued. In reality, it’s just an older H. Upmann – which is terrific in itself – but it’s not a smoke that I’d sell my soul for. I’m going to be honest and say that I’m going to keep my intact box so that I can sell it when the value gets high enough because I have plenty of Monarchs and Londsales of roughly the same vintage that will give me a remarkably similar experience.

    Helpful?
    0 0
    • M****

      The best beverage to have while smoking a cigar is Tea.

    • C****** H*

      Good point…I love the Black Prince, even more than the Punch Punch lol
      It can get a bit confusing especially since Habanos SA doesn’t break down blend specifics to often…thanks Matt.

    • M******

      Great question, Charlie. Purely based on taste, I don’t believe that the Super Corona blend was recycled into the Mag 46.

      It’s a question whenever a marca produces identical vitolas but declares that they are a different blend; like the H. Upmann Monarch and Sir Winston which were both Julieta No 2s (Churchills). I’ve found it more than a little confusing that Punch would produce 4 Corona Gorda vitolas at the same time: Punch Punch, Punch RS #11, Punch SS #1 and Punch Black Prince (until early 2000s).

      Perhaps someone with more time on their hands could figure out if the early Mag 46s were rolled at the same factory as most of the Super Coronas…

    • C****** H*

      Didn’t Habanos SA just change the name (Magnum 46) and add a second band?

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Cigar Region Cuba
Filler Cuban
Wrapper Cuba
Binder Cuba
Length 5 5/8
Ring Gauge 46
Vitola Coronas Gorda
Construction Hand Made