H Upmann Magnum 46

Description

Tired of massive sixty-ring gauge logs that offer plenty of smoke but dilute the actual flavor of the tobacco? The modern obsession with thick cigars often results in a muted experience where the wrapper leaf gets lost in a sea of filler. The H. Upmann Magnum 46 solves this by sticking to the classic Corona Gorda format, a slender shape that forces the wrapper and filler to work in perfect concert for a more concentrated, intense flavor profile.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: The cold draw brings a distinct aroma of sweet hay and a touch of barnyard funk that true Havana fans chase. Once you toast the foot and get it going, the first few puffs are surprisingly gentle. You get an immediate wash of sweet cream and roasted cashews that coats the tongue. There is zero harshness here, just a smooth, sugary character that reminds you of raw cane syrup. The draw on this 46 ring gauge offers just enough resistance to keep the ember cool, allowing those delicate starter notes to shine without getting charred.

Mid-Section: As the burn line progresses past the first inch, the profile wakes up and sheds its mild introduction. The sugary sweetness settles down, replaced by a warm, bready note similar to fresh gingerbread or toasted brioche. You will start picking up baking spices now, specifically nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon, which adds a nice tingle to the retrohale. The body shifts from mild to a solid medium, and the smoke production becomes thick and oily. It is a savory phase where the wood notes turn from cedar to a deeper, aged oak.

Final Third: The last section is where the Magnum 46 shows its teeth. The strength ramps up significantly, moving toward medium-full as the heat concentrates in the slender body. Those earlier pastry notes darken into burnt toffee and rich espresso. You might notice a savory leather element joining the mix, grounding the sweetness with an earthy finish. Even as it heats up, a surprising citrus zest cuts through the heaviness, keeping the flavor profile lively until you put the nub down.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind H. Upmann

Hermann Dietrich Upmann was a German banker who loved Cuban tobacco so much he moved to Havana in 1844 to open his own bank and cigar factory. He is widely credited with inventing the cedar cigar box, originally using them labeled with his bank’s name to ship smokes back to his best clients in Europe. While the bank eventually folded in the 1920s, the cigar brand survived to become one of the global standards for medium-bodied Havanas. The Magnum 46 has long been a favorite of serious collectors because it represents the “old school” style of blending before the market shifted toward thicker, shorter formats.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva – The heavy molasses and vanilla notes in this Venezuelan rum latch onto the toffee and gingerbread flavors of the cigar, creating a dessert-like combination.
• Whiskey: Highland Park 18 – This scotch brings a subtle honey sweetness and floral peat smoke that perfectly complements the floral and oaky characteristics found in the cigar’s second half.
• Coffee: Turkish coffee – The intense, unfiltered nature of Turkish coffee provides a strong, bitter counterpoint that cuts through the creamy texture of the smoke, cleansing the palate between puffs.

Ideal For

This cigar is a top choice for the smoker who values flavor intensity over sheer size. It fits perfectly into a quiet hour after lunch or as an early evening starter before a heavy meal. While the strength is manageable for most, the complexity of the flavor shifts makes it much more rewarding for someone who knows how to pace their smoking speed to keep the slender gauge from overheating.