Description
Why the H Upmann Magnum 46 Deserves a Spot in Your Humidor
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’96, and I’ll tell you something – the H Upmann Magnum 46 is one of those cigars that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Everyone’s chasing after the latest limited edition releases or the big-name vitolas, but this medium-bodied beauty? It’s quietly become one of my go-to sticks for when I want something refined without being punched in the face with strength. Thing is, H Upmann has always been that brand that flies under the radar for newer smokers, but ask any old-timer about their lineup and watch their eyes light up. This particular vitola – introduced in 2008, I think? Maybe 2009 – represents everything that makes Cuban cigars special: impeccable construction, complex flavor development, and that creamy, elegant character that only tobacco from Vuelta Abajo can deliver.
The H Upmann Legacy Meets Modern Perfection
Here’s the thing about H Upmann – this brand has been around since 1844. That’s not a typo. German banker Hermann Dietrich Upmann started crafting cigars in Cuba almost two centuries ago, and the brand’s been a Habanos SA cornerstone ever since. The Magnum 46 came along much more recently as part of their core lineup, and it filled a gap that honestly needed filling. The house needed a robusto-sized offering with a bit more girth than their traditional sizes, something that could compete in today’s market where everyone wants that 50+ ring gauge experience.
What makes this cigar special – and I’m probably biased here since it’s in my top five H Upmanns – is how it manages to capture the brand’s signature mild-to-medium profile while giving you enough tobacco to develop real complexity. The wrapper is that gorgeous Colorado Claro shade that practically glows with oil. I’m talking about that perfect light brown with reddish undertones that tells you the leaf was aged properly. And the construction? No joke, these things are rolled so well they could teach a masterclass. Every single one I’ve smoked has had that perfect spring when you squeeze it gently – not too firm, not too soft.
Who’s this cigar for? Honestly, it’s versatile as hell. New to Cuban cigars? This won’t overwhelm you. Been smoking for thirty years? You’ll find layers to appreciate. It’s become my recommendation for people transitioning from Dominican or Nicaraguan cigars who think Cuban means “light and boring.” Spoiler alert: it’s not boring.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Magnum 46 |
| Length | 5.6 inches / 143 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 46 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend from Vuelta Abajo |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: A Journey Worth Taking
Okay, so let me walk you through what happens when you light one of these up. And I’m going to be honest – my first experience with the Magnum 46 was at a lounge in Miami during a poker night, and I wasn’t expecting much because I’d just finished an aged Cohiba. Big mistake bringing preconceptions to any cigar.
The cold draw hits you with this gentle sweetness – cedar and hay, maybe a touch of honey? It’s subtle, not screaming at you. The pre-light aroma is classic H Upmann: clean tobacco, a whisper of barnyard earthiness, and that unmistakable Cuban terroir that’s hard to describe but impossible to miss once you know it. I always do a straight cut on these rather than a V-cut because I want that full, open draw that lets the flavors bloom.
First third – and this is where it gets interesting – you get this creamy smoke texture that coats your palate. The initial flavors are gentle: toast, light cedar, maybe some white pepper on the retrohale if you’re paying attention. But here’s what gets me about this cigar: that creaminess isn’t boring or one-dimensional. There’s a subtle nuttiness underneath, like roasted almonds, and occasionally I pick up something floral. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’re not puffing like a chimney. The ash builds up solid and light gray, holding for about an inch before dropping if you let it.
Moving into the second third – wait, let me back up for a second. If you’re smoking this too fast, you’ll miss everything I’m about to describe. This isn’t a cigar you rush. Slow, measured puffs, maybe once per minute. Okay, so second third: the coffee notes start showing up. Not espresso, more like a latte with the cream already mixed in. That cedar from the beginning is still there but now it’s joined by a cocoa element that’s more dark chocolate than milk chocolate. The pepper builds slightly but never gets aggressive. I’ve noticed that properly aged boxes – and I had one from 2015 that I just cracked open last year – develop this incredible leather quality in the middle section that younger boxes don’t have yet.
The complexity really ramps up here, and the strength nudges toward medium without crossing that line. You feel it, but you’re not getting nicotine-bombed. The smoke output is generous, almost creamy-looking when you exhale. Real talk: this is where the cigar earns its reputation in my book.
Final third is where opinions split among my friends. Some find it gets a touch sharp, and yeah, if you smoke it too hot or too fast, it can. But treat it right and you get this beautiful evolution where the cocoa deepens, maybe picks up some espresso bitterness (the good kind), and that cedar comes back around for a victory lap. The leather notes strengthen. Sometimes – and I know this sounds dramatic, but – I get this caramel sweetness that appears out of nowhere in the last inch. The retrohale becomes fuller, more complex, with layers of spice and earth and tobacco sweetness all fighting for your attention.
Construction-wise, I’ve smoked maybe two dozen of these over the years, and I’ve had exactly one that needed a touch-up. That’s a better track record than most cigars at any level. The draw stays consistent throughout, never too tight or too loose. The ash? Solid enough that I’ve accidentally dumped it on my shirt multiple times because I forgot to tap.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| H Upmann Magnum 46 | Mild to Medium | 60-75 minutes | Afternoon smoke, everyday enjoyment, beginners to intermediates |
| H Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 | Medium | 45-55 minutes | Quick sophisticated smoke, experienced palates |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 50-60 minutes | Classic Cuban experience, benchmarking |
| Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills | Mild to Medium | 60-70 minutes | Similar profile seekers, larger ring gauge fans |
Between you and me, if you’re choosing between the Magnum 46 and the Montecristo No. 4 – which is probably the most common comparison – it comes down to this: the Monte has more punch and earthiness, while the H Upmann is smoother and creamier. I reach for the Monte when I want something with attitude. The Magnum 46? That’s for when I want elegance.
Perfect Pairings That Actually Work
I’ve experimented with pairings more than I probably should admit, and here’s what I’ve learned works with the Magnum 46. Coffee – and I mean good coffee, not gas station swill – is spectacular. A properly pulled espresso alongside this cigar during a morning smoke session? Chef’s kiss. The coffee’s bitterness plays beautifully against the cigar’s natural sweetness.
For spirits, I’ll be blunt: skip the heavy stuff. This isn’t a cigar that wants to wrestle with cask-strength bourbon. Instead, try a nice aged rum – something like a 15-year Zacapa or a Flor de Caña 12. The rum’s caramel and vanilla notes amplify what’s already in the tobacco. If you’re a whisky person – and I know some aficionados will disagree with me here – go for a lighter Speyside scotch rather than an Islay monster. The Glenlivet 18 is my go-to pairing, though that might just be what I have on hand most often.
Afternoon with a cold beer? Absolutely. Specifically, try it with a Belgian Dubbel or a malty amber ale. The sweetness and moderate carbonation cleanse your palate between puffs without overwhelming the delicate flavors. I smoked one with a Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout once, and yeah, that worked surprisingly well too – speaking of which, the roasted notes in stout beers really complement that second-third cocoa character. Anyway, back to the main point.
Time of day matters more than people think. This is my ideal afternoon cigar – maybe 2 PM to 5 PM range. Not strong enough to potentially ruin dinner, not so light that it disappears if you’ve already had a couple drinks. Special occasions? Sure, but honestly, the Magnum 46 shines as an everyday luxury. That might sound like a contradiction, but that’s exactly what it is.
What You Need to Know: Questions Everyone Asks
How does the H Upmann Magnum 46 strength compare to other Cuban cigars?
The Magnum 46 sits comfortably in the mild-to-medium range, which makes it more approachable than brands like Partagás or Bolívar but with more character than the lighter H Upmann offerings. If you’re coming from Montecristo or Romeo y Julieta, you’ll find it right in your wheelhouse. The strength builds slightly in the final third but never becomes overwhelming – I’ve never had one give me the spins, even on an empty stomach, though I wouldn’t recommend that approach.
Does the H Upmann Magnum 46 benefit from aging?
Absolutely, though they’re excellent right out of the box too. Fresh boxes give you more pepper and cedar brightness. Age them for three to five years and the flavors marry beautifully – the creaminess intensifies, cocoa notes deepen, and you get additional complexity with leather and sometimes honey characteristics. I had one from 2012 that I smoked in 2020, and it was like a completely different cigar in the best way possible. That said, not everyone has the patience for long aging, and honestly, you’re not missing out critically if you smoke them young.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing H Upmann Magnum 46 cigars?
I keep mine at 65% relative humidity, which is slightly lower than the traditional 70% that everyone talks about. Here’s the thing – Cuban cigars, especially the H Upmann line with those delicate wrappers, can get spongy and burn poorly at higher humidity. At 65%, the burn is consistently excellent, and the flavors are more concentrated. Temperature-wise, keep them between 65-70°F. I learned this the hard way after a summer humidor disaster that I don’t like talking about.
How long should I let an H Upmann Magnum 46 rest after receiving them?
Wait, let me give you the real answer, not the diplomatic one. Minimum two weeks in your humidor to acclimate from shipping stress. A month is better. I know that’s torture when you’ve got fresh cigars staring at you, but trust me on this. Cigars that travel – especially if they went through temperature swings or humidity changes – need time to stabilize. The difference between a rushed cigar and a properly rested one is night and day. The draw opens up, the burn becomes more even, and the flavors integrate properly instead of tasting disjointed.
Is the H Upmann Magnum 46 a good beginner cigar?
Yes, but with a caveat. If you’re completely new to cigars – like never-smoked-anything new – this might be a steep starting point only because Cuban construction and flavor profiles are different from what most beginners try first. But if you’ve smoked a few Dominican or Nicaraguan cigars and want to explore Cuban territory? This is perfect. The mild-to-medium strength won’t wreck you, the flavors are clear enough to identify, and the construction is forgiving. My buddy Carlos started with these, and now he’s got a collection that makes me jealous, so there’s that.
What makes the Vuelta Abajo wrapper on the Magnum 46 special?
Vuelta Abajo is the Pinar del Río region in Cuba where they grow the absolute finest tobacco on the island – it’s not marketing hype, it’s geography and generations of expertise. The soil composition, climate, and traditional growing methods create wrapper leaves with this perfect balance of flavor, elasticity, and oil content. On the Magnum 46 specifically, that wrapper contributes the cedar and subtle sweetness you taste throughout, and it’s responsible for that beautiful Colorado Claro color. You can’t replicate Vuelta Abajo tobacco anywhere else – people have tried, believe me. It’s like trying to grow Champagne grapes in Arizona.
How does the flavor profile change throughout the cigar?
The journey is part of the appeal, honestly. You start with cream, toast, and cedar in the first third – it’s gentle and welcoming. Second third introduces coffee and cocoa notes while maintaining that creamy texture, and the pepper becomes more noticeable on the retrohale. Final third deepens everything – the cocoa goes darker, leather notes emerge, and sometimes you get this caramel sweetness that wasn’t there before. It’s not a dramatic transformation like some cigars where the thirds feel completely different, but rather an elegant evolution where each section builds on what came before. The filler blend really shows its quality here with how smoothly those transitions happen.
Final Thoughts From the Humidor
Look, I’m not going to tell you this is the best Cuban cigar ever made – that’s personal, and anyone who gives you a definitive answer is selling something. But what I will say is this: the H Upmann Magnum 46 is one of those cigars that reminds me why I fell in love with Cuban tobacco in the first place. It’s got elegance without pretension, complexity without being exhausting to smoke, and enough character to keep experienced smokers interested while remaining approachable for newer aficionados.
The creamy texture, that perfect mild-to-medium strength, the way the cedar and cocoa and coffee notes play together – it all works. And unlike some limited edition releases that everyone chases, this is a regular production cigar that you can actually find and enjoy regularly. Not gonna lie, having a box of these in my humidor makes me feel prepared for whatever the day brings, whether it’s a celebration or just a Tuesday afternoon when I need an hour of peace.
If you’re building a Cuban cigar collection, the Magnum 46 deserves consideration. If you’re looking for your next everyday smoke that’s several steps above ordinary, this is it. And if you’re trying to figure out what the H Upmann house style is all about, start here. You won’t be disappointed – and if you are, well, we have very different taste in cigars, and that’s okay too.
Add a box to your collection. Let them rest properly. Smoke one on a quiet afternoon with a good cup of coffee or a glass of rum. Thank me later.
