H. Upmann 1844 Anejo Toro

Purchased: Single Toro
Store: West Coast Cigars
Price: $10.99
Buy Again? Yes!
Box Worthy? Yes

tldr;

Yup, this one’s going on my “get a box” list for sure! This is yet another cigar that proves my point that good is good no matter what the price. There’s lots of quality in this cigar, from the smooth, toothy wrapper to its solid construction with no soft spots. Though it would be considered a “value” or budget stick, it’s packed and hefty, and not something I’d expect from a stick for $10.99 retail and $5 online.

I found that the trick to this cigar was to REALLY take my time with it. I’m a slow smoker in the first place, but with this cigar I really had to take it easy on my puff rate. As a result, I smoked this down to the nub and it was spectacularly delicious from end to end!

From the get-go this cigar was a delight. Lots of buttered toast and cream on light-up that then quickly transitioned. In the first third, I got some teak wood, which I usually attribute to Oliva sticks, plus some leather, cappuccino, and a vegetal taste that reminded me of roasted red bell pepper. The combination worked!

Smoke production was amazing. But the nicotine hit was hard up front. It’s not sickeningly high, but this isn’t a stick to smoke on an empty stomach, and definitely not a stick I’d give to a newbie. But even with all the smoke and the medium body, the finish was amazingly clean. Still, with the strength of the nicotine, I had to slow down lest I collapse from the high. But that was a good thing because this stick had so much flavor to offer up!

Into the second third, the red bell pepper was replaced by a hint of lychee sweetness. Wow! I’d never tasted that before (and I was just drinking water, so no influence from a sweet drink). Strength increased to medium+ and the body and finish remained at medium. More toast and the coffee flavor became a distinct espresso flavor. Still, very creamy, so I was bowled over by the clean finish.

By the time I hit the second half, the cigar started to get a little white pepper spice on the finish. Strength was steady at medium+.

By the final third, the stick lost all hint of sweetness and became much more savory. The spice increased slightly, and the smoke became a little meaty. The teak came back along with some cedar. Green bell pepper also showed up but was complementary to the meatiness. Smoke production was insane at this point! Like smoke screen thick! Very cool!

Down to the nub, and I was in heaven! Heavy on the black pepper and super creamy. Dark, cacao beans along with some cedar. Wow! What a great stick!