When was the H. Upmann Especiales discontinued?

The H. Upmann Especiales was officially retired from production in 2002. This cigar was a long-standing fixture in the brand's portfolio as a regular production item before its discontinuation. While it is no longer produced, existing inventory was sold through official channels until stocks were depleted. Consequently, finding this specific vitola today requires searching the secondary market or auction houses, as it has been absent from standard distribution lists for over two decades.

Was the H. Upmann Especiales hand-made or machine-made?

Unlike the premium hand-made cigars that dominate the modern H. Upmann portfolio, the Especiales was a machine-made vitola. This construction method allowed for a more accessible price point and consistent draw, making it a practical choice for everyday smoking. Despite the machine assembly, the cigar utilized Cuban tobacco. It served as an approachable entry point for smokers wanting to experience the brand's classic profile without the investment required for larger, hand-rolled formats.

What is the history and size of the H. Upmann Especiales?

The H. Upmann Especiales measures 152 mm (6 inches) in length with a 36 ring gauge, placing it in the Laguito No. 2 category. It was a significant part of the brand's regular production lineup for decades before being retired. The cigar was known for delivering the classic H. Upmann flavor profile—typically characterized by medium-bodied notes of cedar, dried fruit, and earth—in a slender format. Its discontinuation marked the end of an era for this specific machine-made standard in Cuban cigar history.

When was the H. Upmann Especiales discontinued?

The H. Upmann Especiales was officially retired from production in 2002. This cigar was a long-standing fixture in the brand's portfolio as a regular production item before its discontinuation. While it is no longer produced, existing inventory was sold through official channels until stocks were depleted. Consequently, finding this specific vitola today requires searching the secondary market or auction houses, as it has been absent from standard distribution lists for over two decades.

Was the H. Upmann Especiales hand-made or machine-made?

Unlike the premium hand-made cigars that dominate the modern H. Upmann portfolio, the Especiales was a machine-made vitola. This construction method allowed for a more accessible price point and consistent draw, making it a practical choice for everyday smoking. Despite the machine assembly, the cigar utilized Cuban tobacco. It served as an approachable entry point for smokers wanting to experience the brand's classic profile without the investment required for larger, hand-rolled formats.

What is the history and size of the H. Upmann Especiales?

The H. Upmann Especiales measures 152 mm (6 inches) in length with a 36 ring gauge, placing it in the Laguito No. 2 category. It was a significant part of the brand's regular production lineup for decades before being retired. The cigar was known for delivering the classic H. Upmann flavor profile—typically characterized by medium-bodied notes of cedar, dried fruit, and earth—in a slender format. Its discontinuation marked the end of an era for this specific machine-made standard in Cuban cigar history.

Cigar Information

H. Upmann Especiales

The H. Upmann Especiales represents a chapter in Cuban cigar history that has since closed, having been officially retired from production in 2002. This machine-made vitola was part of the regular production lineup for decades, offering smokers an accessible entry point into the H. Upmann brand's classic flavor profile.

Historical Background

The Especiales debuted prior to 1960, making it one of the longer-running productions in the H. Upmann portfolio during the 20th century. For over four decades, this cigar maintained its place in the brand's catalog before being discontinued at the start of 2002. Its lengthy production run speaks to the demand for a straightforward, machine-constructed Cuban cigar during that era.

Specifications

Attribute	Detail
Factory Name	Cremas
Ring Gauge	40
Length	140 mm (5½″)
Official Weight	8.11 g
Construction	Machine-made
Band	Standard Band B

Packaging Options

During its production years, the H. Upmann Especiales was available in two distinct packaging formats:

Cardboard pack containing 5 cigars, each wrapped in cellophane
Dress box containing 25 cigars, each wrapped in cellophane

The individual cellophane wrapping helped preserve freshness and protected the cigars during transport and storage—a practical feature for a machine-made product intended for broader market distribution.

Legacy

As a machine-constructed cigar with a 40 ring gauge, the Especiales represented the more accessible segment of Cuban cigar offerings. Its discontinuation in 2002 marked the end of an era, as the market shifted increasingly toward handmade premium vitolas. Today, remaining examples of the H. Upmann Especiales exist only in collector circles, serving as artifacts of a different time in Cuban cigar production.

Questions & Answers

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