Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Vitola: Lonsdale (6 ½ x 42)
Purchase Link: H. Upmann Herman’s Batch
H. UPMANN HERMAN’S BATCH REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Raisins on the cold draw. Leather, oak, and brown sugar upon lighting. While I wanted to initially peg this smoke as being musky, there is a faint candied lemon note whose tart-sweetness brightens the amalgamation of flavors and increases the complexity.
Second third. Strawberry joins the Limoncello goodness. Tootsie roll.
Umami is the predominant note in the final third. The lemon is gone but cinnamon toast has carried along some sweetness to close out this smoke.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Having to shelter in place but being able to focus on a favorite hobby now that you have plenty of time.
Pairing Suggestion: Sazerac.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
H. UPMANN HERMAN’S BATCH REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar brought loads of bold and dark flavors: earth, pepper, baking spice, walnuts, leather, molasses, caramel, oak, and dark chocolate. The pepper and spice notes played nicely with the rest. It was big on flavor.
The draw was a touch tight, but with no issues. The burn needed attention a few times. It didn’t take a lot of work to smoke but wasn’t effortless.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Bold, dark flavors.
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
H. UPMANN HERMAN’S BATCH REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: With sourdough bread, black tea and mild tobacco off the wrapper, I’m already digging this cigar. It’s wearing a nice pigtail cap too. That should be a solid hint, but honestly isn’t. From the cold draw, just huge notes of bold tobacco.
Starting off big and bold with black tea, fresh bread, grilled pork and powerful tobacco notes. There’s just barely a discernible tingle of spice on the tongue. Interesting retro hale with lots of wood notes and some heat to keep things lively.
Halfway and I’m correcting one heck of a burn issue. Draw and smoke production have been off and on as well. At any rate, wood notes really dominating right at the moment. I’m still tasting bread as well, but bread used to mop up that plate of grilled pork. Also, some sweetness in the retro hale mixing with tea, wood and mild tobacco.
Moving through the finish, softer wood notes, black tea, leather and a hint of sweetness throughout. This final portion of this stick is scoring some points for smoothness.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Cigars with a straightforward presentation.
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
Leave your comment