TobaccoBusinessMagazine top 10 candidates for cigar of the year for 2017 has provided us a list of great cigars to go into 2018 sampling. This week’s cigar was no exception. It’s the #HUpmann 1844 Nicaragua by @ajfcigars. The cigar comes packed with tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic as the filler, a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 binder, and a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Its chocolate exterior is appetizing on sight and, I kid you not, actually velvety to touch. Upon opening my @xikar travel case, the punchy sweet aroma had me confused on whether I was about to smoke or bite into a decadent Godiva chocolate truffle.
The cigar lights quite well and only took 2-3 full draws to fully light. Using a standard straight cut, the ventilation on the inhale was above normal…which I enjoyed since it allowed for a full delivery of the cigar’s flavor profile. Speaking of flavor, the scent doesn’t lie. It’s a dense dark cocoa taste in the first few pulls. As it burns, I’m starting to notice a slight spice. Nothing like a black pepper but more like smoked paprika…no heat but more of a tanginess that goes well with the cocoa/dark chocolate notes.
Not to say that this portion of the cigar smokes like a totally new stick but there is a significant change in the profile. The dark cocoa is calmed down by a light woody note. What seemed to start off towards a full body burn is now a smooth, solid, medium earthy cigar. Still well ventilated, giving off a full bloom of smoke and a mouth full of flavor. I’m really enjoying this cigar and the gradual transitions on the palate.
The earthy flavor remains the primary note. While I’m not really tasting the cocoa that was the highlight at the start of the cigar, it still has a silky sweet note that finishes on the exhale. With nearly an inch and a half left, I’m reintroduced to the slight spice from before; a great way to finish a cigar
If someone would have given me this cigar as my first smoke, I would have become an avid cigar smoker much earlier than I did. This cigar is confident and sets a new standard.
