H. Upmann: The Banker's Havana

H. Upmann is one of Havana's oldest and most refined marques, founded in 1844 by a German banker and prized today for its elegant, gently spiced, cedar-and-cream profile that sits at the milder end of the Cuban spectrum. It is the classic choice for a smoker who wants finesse over force, and a wonderful place to begin a love affair with hand-rolled Habanos.

• H. Upmann was founded by banker Herman Upmann in 1844, making it one of the oldest continuously produced Cuban brands.
• The house style is light-to-medium: cedar, toasted almond, fresh cream, light coffee and a whisper of spice.
• Start with the Connoisseur and Coronas families, then explore the celebrated Magnum line for more body.
• Ideal as a morning smoke, an after-lunch cigar, or a refined introduction for newcomers.
• Store at 16-18°C and 68-72% relative humidity to keep the delicate flavours pristine.

Who was H. Upmann and why does the bank matter?

Herman Upmann was a German banker who fell for Cuban tobacco and, in 1844, established both a Havana banking house and a cigar brand to match. For decades the bank shipped boxes of its own cigars to clients and correspondents across Europe, and those early cedar boxes — stamped with the gold medals the brand won at international exhibitions — remain part of the marque's iconography today. That heritage is why H. Upmann is so often called "the banker's Havana": a discreet, well-tailored cigar made for the considered pleasures of someone who appreciates quality without theatre.

The banking arm eventually passed on, but the cigar brand endured and is today produced under the Habanos umbrella. Its identity has stayed remarkably consistent across the generations: refinement, balance and an unmistakably civilised character.

What does an H. Upmann cigar actually taste like?

The H. Upmann blend is built on tobaccos from Cuba's Vuelta Abajo region and lands firmly in the light-to-medium bracket. Expect a creamy, cedary core with notes of toasted almond, fresh bread, light roast coffee and honeyed sweetness, lifted by a gentle hay-and-spice note on the finish. It is smooth and supremely well mannered — never sharp, rarely heavy — which is precisely why it converts so many newcomers and remains a daily favourite among seasoned aficionados.

Because the profile is so balanced, H. Upmann rewards slow, attentive smoking. Draw gently, let the cigar rest between puffs, and the subtler cream-and-nut layers come forward beautifully.

Which H. Upmann vitolas should you know?

The range spans compact morning smokes to generous coronas. A few essentials:

The Connoisseur family

A modern showcase for the brand's elegance. The H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 is a Hermoso No. 4 (127mm x 48 ring gauge) — a beautifully proportioned smoke of around 50-60 minutes that delivers the house cream and cedar with lovely clarity. Its companions, the Connoisseur A and the slimmer, faster Connoisseur No. 2 (140mm x 43), let you choose your tempo while staying within the same refined register. For collectors, the Connoisseur B is a sought-after La Casa del Habano release in a box of 25.

The Coronas family

The traditional heart of the marque. The Coronas Major (in its handy aluminium tube) is a Coronita-sized smoke perfect for a shorter window, while the Coronas Minor and the petite Coronas Junior are ideal pocket companions — tubed, travel-ready and dependably smooth. These smaller formats are some of the best 20-to-35-minute Havanas you can carry.

If you are still finding your footing, our guides to the best Cuban cigars for beginners and the best mild cigars place H. Upmann in helpful context alongside its gentler peers.

When is the right moment to smoke one?

H. Upmann's lightness is its great gift: it is one of the few full-flavoured Havanas that genuinely suits the morning. A tubed Coronas with the first coffee of the day is a quietly luxurious ritual. The mid-size Connoisseurs shine after lunch or as an unhurried afternoon smoke, when their cream-and-almond character has room to unfold. Save heavier marques for late evening; H. Upmann is the cigar you reach for when you want pleasure without weight.

For pairings, lean towards the elegant rather than the powerful: a flat white or espresso, a dry Champagne, an aged white rum, or a lighter single malt. The idea is to complement the cigar's delicacy, not overpower it.

How should you store and present H. Upmann cigars?

Delicate, nuanced cigars are the most rewarding to age well and the least forgiving of poor storage. Keep your H. Upmanns at 16-18°C and 68-72% relative humidity; the lower end of that band keeps the draw crisp and the flavours bright, which suits this brand's finesse. A well-seasoned humidor and a reliable hygrometer are all you need.

The marque also makes some of the most handsome accessories in the Habanos world. The brand's desktop humidor from the Habanos Global Brand Series is a genuine centrepiece, while the cutter and lighter set and the weighty H. Upmann ashtray complete a beautifully coordinated smoking table. Browse the wider Cuban cigars collection to pair the marque with its Havana stablemates.

Is H. Upmann a good cigar for beginners?

Few Cuban brands are as welcoming. The smoothness, the modest strength and the consistent, easygoing draw make H. Upmann an ideal first Havana — and yet the depth of flavour means it never feels like a "training" cigar. Many smokers who begin with H. Upmann keep a box on hand for life, returning to it precisely because it asks nothing of you but rewards attention so generously. It is, fittingly, a connoisseur's cigar dressed in an approachable suit.

Frequently asked questions

Is H. Upmann a mild or strong cigar?

H. Upmann sits in the light-to-medium range, making it one of the gentler Cuban marques. Expect creamy, cedary, lightly nutty flavours with soft spice rather than power. This balance is why it is so often recommended both as a morning smoke and as an excellent introduction to Havana cigars for newer enthusiasts.

What is the best H. Upmann cigar to start with?

The Connoisseur No. 1 is an ideal starting point: a well-proportioned Hermoso No. 4 that showcases the brand's cream-and-cedar character with clarity over a relaxed hour. If you prefer something shorter, a tubed Coronas Major or Coronas Minor offers the same smoothness in a quicker, travel-friendly format.

How old is the H. Upmann brand?

H. Upmann was founded in 1844 by German banker Herman Upmann, making it one of the oldest continuously produced Cuban cigar brands. Its banking origins gave rise to the affectionate nickname "the banker's Havana", and the marque's refined, balanced house style has remained remarkably consistent for well over a century and a half.

What should I pair with an H. Upmann cigar?

Choose elegant rather than heavy partners so the cigar's delicacy stays in focus. Espresso or a flat white is classic, especially with the smaller morning vitolas. In the evening, a dry Champagne, an aged white rum or a lighter single malt all complement the creamy, cedary profile without overwhelming it.