Who can deny that the general quality of Cuban cigars has steadily declined over the years? At the same time, the American market driven non-Cuban brands have done the exact opposite. I maintain that it is entirely possible for a seasoned smoker of quality Nicaraguan, Dominican, or Honduran cigars to find their first experience with a genuine Habano disappointing. Perhaps the cigar will be rolled too tightly or sloppily, perhaps it will be moldy or beetle infested; whatever the case, if you’re going to smoke a “first” Cuban cigar make sure it is flawless, like this H. Upmann Magnum 46.

Upon inspecting this Corona Gorda, the banded version of the Magnum 46, you can tell that it is well made indeed: firm, evenly bunched, oily, and boasting a perfect triple cap. The aromas of this H. Upmann wrapper are delightfully sweet with some faint cacao and maybe a little cinnamon. I don’t get much of a peppery taste in these, just the delicate sweet notes.

Lighting it up yields very aromatic plumes of dense smoke. The aromas remind me of a freshly baked French brioche. The first few puffs are actually on the milder side but sweet, creamy and spiced. The first puffs achieved, this cigar begins to progress and evolve in a steady way before reaching a solid medium body at around the first quarter mark.

It stays very creamy throughout the first half, moving from the sweet spice and cacao notes at the onset toward darker notes of roasted coffee beans accented by sweet wood and faint chocolate. A bit of leather begins to come through at this point as well as some white pepper which continue all the way to the finale.

Nothing makes me more happy than a cigar that continues to burn evenly to the nub, and the H. Upmann Magnum 46 does just that and with a good length of solid gray ash too. The body picks up again in the last two inches and the notes turn to richer leather, espresso, and a distinct musty sweetness that reminds me of the initial sweet spice and woody notes.

This stick is perfect and a tribute to the Cuban cigar industry of old: awesome, perfectly aged Cuban tobacco that is masterfully rolled to great drawing and razor burning perfection. Let the medium long finish delight you well after the cigar is put to rest.

At a price of about $10.00 per stick I can’t imagine letting these run out in my humidor. Feel free to take this Corona Gorda to the glorious nub every time.