H. Upmann Magnum 56

H. Upmann Magnum 56

When H. Upmann introduced the Magnum 56 in 2015, it marked the brand's boldest dimensional statement to date. With a commanding 56-ring gauge and a generous 150mm length, this Double Robusto took the house's traditionally refined character and stretched it across a canvas large enough to reveal every hidden brushstroke. The result is a cigar that maintains the H. Upmann DNA—elegance, balance, composure—while delivering the kind of smoke volume and flavor density that the modern market demands.

The Story Behind the Smoke

The Magnum series has become the defining sub-line within the H. Upmann portfolio, and the 56 represents its most ambitious expression. Named simply for its ring gauge—a convention the brand adopted with the successful Magnum 46 and Magnum 50 before it—the 56 pushes the boundaries of what H. Upmann has traditionally offered. The broader ring gauge allows for a more complex blend architecture, with additional ligero leaf adding body and depth to the brand's characteristically smooth profile.

H. Upmann was founded in 1844 by Hermann Dietrich Upmann, a German banker who loved Cuban cigars so deeply he opened his own factory in Havana. That banker's mentality—precise, considered, never reckless—has defined the brand for nearly two centuries. The Magnum 56 honors that legacy while acknowledging that modern palates often seek more from their smoking experience. It threads the needle between tradition and evolution with remarkable skill, offering medium-full body without ever losing the creamy, refined character that distinguishes H. Upmann from its peers.

The cigar is presented in an elegant box of 10, a format that signals both its premium positioning and its status as a special-occasion smoke. Each cigar is impeccably constructed, with a silky wrapper that shows the careful leaf selection Habanos reserves for its flagship vitolas. The Magnum 56 has earned critical recognition since its release, with reviewers noting its ability to deliver power without sacrificing the H. Upmann house style.

The Tasting Experience

First Light: The Magnum 56 opens with a confident declaration of cedar and toasted bread, layered over a foundation of sweet cream. The wide ring gauge produces voluminous smoke from the first draw, filling the palate with a warmth that feels almost enveloping. Light spice—white pepper and a hint of cinnamon—rides the retrohale, providing just enough edge to keep the opening interesting without veering into aggressive territory. The construction is immediately evident: a razor-true burn line and dense, compact ash that speaks to careful rolling.

The Journey: As the burn line advances into the second third, the cigar begins to show its deeper colors. Roasted coffee and dark chocolate emerge, not in a sudden rush but as a gradual reveal, the way sunlight slowly fills a room. The creaminess that defines H. Upmann remains ever-present, but now it shares the stage with earthier notes—damp soil, aged leather, a woodiness that has shifted from fresh cedar to something closer to oak. The smoke texture becomes increasingly chewy, and each draw carries a complexity that rewards slow, deliberate pacing. There is a subtle sweetness here—dried fig or date—that flickers in and out, adding a fruit dimension that elevates the experience beyond the ordinary.

The Finale: The final third brings a controlled intensification. The body moves firmly into medium-full territory, with espresso bitterness and dark cocoa providing a robust foundation. Black pepper asserts itself more prominently on the retrohale, and a mineral quality—almost metallic—adds an unexpected dimension. The creaminess never fully departs, serving as a throughline that connects the cigar's journey from beginning to end. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of cedar, coffee, and a faint sweetness that echoes the opening act. This is a cigar that closes with authority while never losing its essential refinement.

Who It's For

The Magnum 56 is designed for the H. Upmann devotee ready to explore the brand's fuller side, and for the broader aficionado who appreciates cigars that deliver complexity without bludgeoning. Its seventy-five to ninety-minute smoking time demands a commitment that rewards handsomely. This is an after-dinner cigar, a celebration cigar, a Saturday-afternoon-with-nowhere-to-be cigar. Pair it with good company and the willingness to pay attention.

Pairing Suggestion

Aged cognac with dried fruit and vanilla notes—Rémy Martin XO or Hine Antique—provides a luxurious companion, while a cortado balances the cigar's creaminess with concentrated espresso intensity.