H. Upmann Connoisseur B Casa Del Habanos

H. Upmann Connoisseur B Casa Del Habanos

There is a particular satisfaction in discovering a cigar that reveals its character with patience rather than proclamation. The H. Upmann Connoisseur B does not demand attention with bravado; instead, it extends a quiet invitation to those who appreciate the subtle art of restraint. Released exclusively through the Casa Del Habanos network, this Geniales-format cigar carries the weight of a banking family's legacy—one built on measured decisions, compound interest, and the understanding that true quality needs no announcement.

Specifications

The Story Behind the Smoke

The Connoisseur B arrived in 2018 during the 19th Habanos Festival, joining an exclusive cadre of Casa Del Habanos releases that serious collectors have come to prize. The Casa Del Habanos designation carries weight—it signals a cigar produced in limited quantities, available only through the official La Casa Del Habanos retail network scattered across the globe. For the traveling aficionado, these exclusives serve as mementos of journeys taken, conversations shared in lounges from London to Tokyo.

H. Upmann's heritage stretches back to 1844, when German bankers Hermann and August Upmann established both a bank and a cigar brand in Havana. The bank eventually closed its doors, but the cigar brand endured, its bands still carrying the regal coat of arms that once accompanied financial instruments across the Atlantic. The Connoisseur B honors this dual legacy of precision and pleasure. Its Geniales vitola—a robusto extra format with generous ring gauge—offers substantial smoking time without the commitment of a churchill, making it ideal for the modern professional who values both quality and efficiency. The Vuelta Abajo filler and binder speak to the brand's commitment to the finest tobacco-growing region in Cuba, where soil conditions produce leaves of singular complexity.

The Tasting Experience

First Light

The opening draws with surprising ease, the cold draw offering glimpses of cedar and raw almond. Upon first ignition, the Connoisseur B establishes itself with a creamy texture that coats the palate without heaviness. The initial profile is composed and accessible—notes of roasted nuts emerge alongside a faint floral quality that recalls orange blossom water. There is an immediate sense of balance here, none of the aggressive pepper that marks some younger Cuban cigars. Instead, the smoke arrives with the confidence of something that knows exactly what it intends to be.

The Journey

As the burn progresses into the second third, the cigar begins its measured transformation. The creaminess recedes slightly, making room for earthier tones—light leather, dried wood, and a honeyed sweetness that appears on the retrohale. This midsection showcases the Connoisseur B's most engaging chapter. A subtle spice builds at the back of the throat, never overwhelming but present enough to add dimension. The construction proves exemplary throughout, with an even burn line and ash that holds with the stubbornness of well-rolled Cuban tobacco. The strength remains firmly in the medium category, making this a cigar that invites contemplation rather than demands endurance.

The Finale

The final third brings the Connoisseur B to its most assertive register. Coffee grounds and dark cocoa move to the foreground, joined by traces of dried fig and a toastiness that suggests well-aged tobacco. The honey note from earlier returns, now transformed into something closer to café au lait. There is a leathery quality that grounds the sweetness, preventing it from becoming cloying. Younger specimens may show some bite in this final act, but a year or two of rest allows these elements to marry into a satisfying conclusion. The finish lingers, leaving impressions of cedar and espresso long after the final draw.

Who It's For

The Connoisseur B suits the smoker who appreciates Cuban tobacco's capacity for nuance over brute strength. It is an ideal companion for the early evening—a cigar that bridges the transition from the day's demands to the evening's leisure. The banker leaving the office after a long negotiation, the lawyer decompressing after court, the executive who has learned that the best decisions often come during a half-hour of quiet contemplation: these are the profiles that will find the Connoisseur B speaking their language. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the H. Upmann marque for those who have yet to explore beyond the more ubiquitous brands.

Pairing Suggestion

A aged rum from Barbados or the Dominican Republic, with its natural sweetness and subtle oak influence, complements the Connoisseur B's honeyed and nutty character without overwhelming its more delicate floral notes. Alternatively, a double espresso taken midway through the smoke will draw out the cigar's coffee and cocoa elements in the final act.