Description
The H. Upmann Half Corona: A Pocket Rocket That Punches Above Its Weight
Here’s the thing – I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’97, and I keep coming back to the smaller vitolas more and more these days. Not because I have less time (though that’s part of it), but because cigars like the H. Upmann Half Corona prove you don’t need an hour and a half to get a world-class smoking experience. This little gem delivers the quintessential H. Upmann profile in a compact 20-25 minute format that’s honestly become my go-to for morning smoke sessions. And I know some guys think petit coronas can’t compete with their bigger siblings, but – well, let me make my case here.
The Half Corona sits in that sweet spot where craftsmanship really shines through. Thing is, there’s nowhere to hide in a small vitola. Every leaf matters. Every blend decision gets magnified. H. Upmann nailed it with this one, and I’ll explain exactly why throughout this piece.
What Makes the H. Upmann Half Corona Special
Look, H. Upmann has been around since 1844 – that’s not a typo – when a German banker named Hermann Upmann started shipping Cuban cigars back to Europe in cedar-lined boxes stamped with his banking seal. The brand became synonymous with refined, elegant smoking experiences that don’t beat you over the head with strength. They’re sophisticated without being pretentious, which is harder to pull off than you’d think.
The Half Corona represents everything this marca does well, just concentrated into a smaller package. We’re talking about a cigar that measures 3.5 inches (90mm) with a 44 ring gauge – what the Cubans call a Petit Corona in their factory nomenclature. But don’t let the dimensions fool you. This isn’t some throwaway vitola they pump out as an afterthought. The tobacco selected for these smaller formats often comes from the same premium leaves as their flagship releases, just cut differently.
Who’s this cigar for? Real talk: it’s for the smoker who appreciates nuance over brute force. If you’re the type who reaches for heavily ligero-packed torpedoes that knock you sideways, this probably isn’t your speed. But if you want something creamy, elegant, and complex that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee or a mid-afternoon break, then yeah – this is absolutely worth your attention. I smoke these when I want that classic Cuban experience but don’t have the luxury of dedicating an entire afternoon to it.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Half Corona (Petit Corona) |
| Length | 3.5 inches / 90 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 44 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (Vuelta Abajo region) |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 20-25 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: What to Actually Expect
Okay, so let me walk you through what happens when you light one of these up. I’m not gonna give you some flowery nonsense – this is what I genuinely taste when I smoke a well-rested Half Corona.
The cold draw is immediately inviting. There’s this gentle cedar note that hits you first – and I mean that exact smell you get when you open a humidor that’s been properly maintained with Spanish cedar. Behind that, there’s a subtle sweetness. Not like sugar, more like… hmm, how do I explain this… like honey that’s been mixed with a touch of hay. The construction on these is typically excellent. H. Upmann doesn’t mess around with their quality control, and you can feel it in the firm, even density when you gently squeeze the body.
First third – and this is where the Half Corona shows its pedigree – opens with a creamy, almost buttery smoke texture. The flavor profile starts mild but develops quickly. You get that classic Cuban tobacco earthiness, but it’s refined. Clean. There’s cedar throughout, naturally, given the wrapper characteristics from Vuelta Abajo. But what gets me every time is this subtle coffee note that emerges. Not espresso – more like a café con leche. The creaminess balances everything beautifully. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’ve stored these properly (and please, keep them at 65-68% humidity, not the 70%+ that some guys insist on).
Second third is where things get interesting. The strength builds slightly – we’re moving from solidly mild into the medium territory now. Here’s where you start picking up some cocoa. Dark chocolate, specifically. And there’s this background note of what I can only describe as toasted nuts. Almonds, maybe? The pepper shows up too, but it’s restrained. Just enough on the retrohale to remind you this is a proper Cuban habanos and not some mild Connecticut shade wrapper. The ash holds for about an inch before dropping, and it’s that beautiful light gray color that tells you the combustion is happening exactly as it should.
Final third – and I’ll be honest, this is where some petit coronas fall apart, but not the Half Corona. The flavors intensify without getting harsh. That cocoa deepens. The cedar becomes more prominent again. There’s a leathery quality that emerges, adding complexity. The creaminess stays present, which is remarkable this late in the smoke. Some people pick up a slight sweetness here, almost like caramel, though I don’t always get that myself. Depends on the aging, I think. The smoke stays cool right down to the nub if you pace yourself properly – which at this size means a relaxed puff every 45 seconds or so.
Construction-wise – and this matters – the wrapper on these is smooth, slightly oily, with a beautiful Colorado claro to claro color. Minimal veining. The triple cap is expertly applied. I’ve smoked probably thirty or forty of these over the years, and I can count on one hand the number that had draw issues or construction problems. That’s a testament to the rollers at the factory.
How Does It Stack Up Against Similar Cigars?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| H. Upmann Half Corona | Mild-Medium | 20-25 min | Morning smoke, refined palate, classic Cuban elegance |
| Montecristo No. 5 | Medium | 25-30 min | Slightly fuller flavor, those who want more pepper and earth |
| Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas | Mild-Medium | 25-30 min | Similar profile but less creamy, more floral notes |
| Partagás Short | Medium-Full | 20-25 min | Stronger palate, earthier and more robust |
Between you and me, if I’m choosing between the Half Corona and the Montecristo No. 5 – which is probably its closest competitor in the Cuban portfolio – I’m reaching for the H. Upmann nine times out of ten. Why? The No. 5 is excellent, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a bit more straightforward. The Half Corona has this elegance to it, this refinement that makes it feel special without trying too hard. The Romeo Petit Coronas are lovely too, especially if you’re into more floral, perfumy notes, but they lack some of that creamy character that defines the Upmann.
Perfect Pairings and When to Reach for This Cigar
No joke, this is my favorite morning cigar paired with a proper Cuban coffee. And I mean a real cortadito or café con leche, not some watered-down drip coffee. The cream in the coffee mirrors that creamy smoke texture, and the coffee’s brightness plays beautifully against the cedar and cocoa notes. It’s one of those combinations where one plus one equals three.
That said, this vitola is incredibly versatile. Mid-afternoon with a quality aged rum? Absolutely. I’ve paired these with Havana Club 7 Year and it’s heaven. The rum’s vanilla and oak notes complement the cigar’s sweetness and cedar perfectly. If you’re a whiskey person, try it with a lighter scotch – maybe a Speyside like Glenfiddich 12. Nothing too peaty or heavily sherried; you’ll overwhelm the cigar.
Champagne is another pairing that works surprisingly well, especially a blanc de blancs. The acidity cuts through the cream, and the bubbles cleanse your palate between puffs. I had one of these at a wedding last year with Veuve Clicquot and… actually, that’s probably the best pairing I’ve found. But who smokes cigars at weddings anymore? Anyway.
Time of day? This shines in the morning or early afternoon. It’s too refined and mild for an after-dinner smoke, in my opinion. That’s when you want something with more oomph. But from breakfast through lunch, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, it’s absolutely perfect. The smoking time – that 20-25 minute window – makes it ideal for a work break or that gap between finishing yard work and jumping in the shower.
Aging Potential and Storage Considerations
Here’s what gets me about smaller vitolas like the Half Corona – they’re often underestimated when it comes to aging potential. People assume you need a massive Churchill or Double Corona to benefit from extended rest. Not true. These petit coronas age beautifully, though they evolve faster than larger ring gauges because there’s less tobacco mass.
Fresh from the box – assuming you’re getting properly aged stock from Habanos SA distributors – these are already smoking well. But give them six months to a year in your humidor at proper conditions, and they develop this refined sweetness that wasn’t as prominent before. The cedar mellows slightly, the cocoa becomes more pronounced, and everything just… integrates. I’ve got a few from a 2019 box that I’m planning to revisit next year. They’re already phenomenal, but I’m betting they’ll be even better with another year on them.
Storage-wise, keep these at 62-65% humidity if you can. I know that’s lower than the conventional wisdom, but smaller ring gauges benefit from slightly drier conditions. They burn better, and the flavors stay cleaner. Too much humidity and you’ll get draw issues and a spongy texture that muddies everything.
What’s the strength level of the H. Upmann Half Corona?
The Half Corona sits comfortably in the mild to medium range. It starts off genuinely mild in the first third – approachable even for newer cigar smokers – then builds to a comfortable medium by the final third. There’s enough complexity to keep experienced smokers interested, but it won’t overwhelm anyone. If you’re sensitive to nicotine or prefer lighter cigars, this is an excellent choice. Think of it as sophisticated rather than strong – all finesse and no brute force.
How long does it take to smoke a Half Corona?
You’re looking at 20-25 minutes for a relaxed, properly-paced smoke. If you’re puffing more frequently – which I don’t recommend because you’ll overheat it – maybe 15-18 minutes. But the sweet spot is taking your time with it. One puff every 45 seconds to a minute keeps the temperature right and prevents any harshness from developing. This makes it perfect for a coffee break, a short walk, or that window between finishing one task and starting another. It’s not a time commitment like some of the larger H. Upmann vitolas.
What flavors can I expect from this cigar?
The dominant notes are cream, cedar, and coffee – that’s your foundation. As you progress through the cigar, you’ll pick up cocoa (more dark chocolate than milk chocolate), toasted nuts, and a subtle sweetness that reminds me of honey. There’s gentle pepper on the retrohale, but it’s refined rather than aggressive. Some properly aged examples develop a leathery quality in the final third. The wrapper from Vuelta Abajo contributes that classic Cuban tobacco earthiness throughout, but it’s clean and elegant rather than heavy or muddy. The overall profile is balanced and harmonious – nothing jumps out and dominates.
Is the H. Upmann Half Corona good for beginners?
Absolutely yes, with one caveat. The mild-to-medium strength and shorter smoking time make it beginner-friendly. You won’t get overwhelmed by nicotine, and you won’t have to commit to an hour-long experience. The creamy flavor profile is approachable and pleasant without being boring. That said – and this matters – beginners should understand that Cuban cigars in general, and H. Upmann specifically, are about subtlety and nuance. If you’re expecting bold, in-your-face flavors, you might miss what makes this special. But if you approach it with an open mind and pay attention, it’s an excellent introduction to premium habanos. Just make sure it’s properly humidified and rested.
How should I store H. Upmann Half Coronas?
Keep them in a properly maintained humidor at 62-65% relative humidity and around 65-68°F temperature. I know some people store their Cubans at 70% humidity, but smaller ring gauges like this 44 really benefit from slightly drier conditions – you get better burn characteristics and cleaner flavors. Make sure you’re using proper Spanish cedar in your humidor and avoid rapid humidity fluctuations. If you just received a box, let them rest for at least two weeks before smoking to recover from shipping stress. These don’t require years of aging to be excellent, but they do benefit from 6-12 months of additional rest if you have the patience.
What’s the difference between the Half Corona and H. Upmann’s other vitolas?
The Half Corona shares the same basic blend DNA as other H. Upmann offerings – that signature creamy, elegant profile the marca is known for – but the smaller size concentrates everything differently. Compared to something like the Magnum 46 or the Connoisseur No. 1, you’re getting a more focused, intense expression of those core flavors in a shorter timeframe. The larger vitolas give you more evolution and complexity over their longer smoking time, but they’re also milder overall. The Half Corona punches above its weight in terms of flavor intensity while maintaining that classic H. Upmann refinement. It’s not trying to be a different cigar – it’s the essence of what makes H. Upmann great, just in a compact format.
Can I age H. Upmann Half Coronas long-term?
You can, but the aging curve is different than larger vitolas. Smaller ring gauges evolve faster because there’s less tobacco mass. These typically hit their peak somewhere between 2-5 years of proper storage, whereas a Churchill might keep improving for a decade or more. That said, I’ve had Half Coronas with 7-8 years on them that were absolutely stunning – the flavors had become incredibly refined and integrated. Just know that the window is narrower. They won’t suddenly go bad after five years, but the rate of improvement slows significantly. If you’re buying boxes to age, I’d suggest smoking one every six months to track the evolution and catch them at their peak.
Final Thoughts on the H. Upmann Half Corona
Look, I’ve smoked a lot of cigars over the past few decades, and I keep coming back to this one. That tells you something. The H. Upmann Half Corona delivers everything I want in a short-format Cuban: elegance, complexity, balance, and that indefinable quality that makes you slow down and actually pay attention to what you’re smoking. It’s not trying to impress you with strength or blast you with bold flavors. It’s confident enough to be subtle.
Is it the right cigar for everyone? No. If you’re chasing nicotine or want something with aggressive, in-your-face character, look elsewhere. But if you appreciate refinement, if you value quality over quantity, if you understand that sometimes the best things come in small packages – then yeah, you need to try this.
The combination of that creamy texture, the cedar and coffee and cocoa notes, the impeccable construction, and the convenient smoking time makes this a staple in my rotation. Keep a few of these on hand for those moments when you want a proper Cuban experience but don’t have all afternoon. Your taste buds will thank you.
