H.Upmann is one of the oldest cigar brands in existence.  Dating back to the mid 19^th century, H.Upmann has a historic pedigree and was the favored brand of such famed cigar smokers as John F. Kennedy.  Following the Cuban embargo, a majority of H.Upmann cigars available in the US have been made in the Dominican Republic.

With such a wide portfolio, it may seem overwhelming to choose which H.Upmann cigar is best for you.  Luckily, we have put together this helpful buying guide to aid you in your search in the perfect cigar for you.

This cigar will always have a special place in my heart.  The Vintage Cameroon was one of my first, regular rotation cigars when I first joined the industry over 10 years ago.  It is also, to this day, one of my favorite cigars featuring the Cameroon wrapper.  This cigar remains one of the most popular and best-selling cigars in the H.Upmann lineup.

The Vintage Cameroon is handcrafted at Tabacalera de Garcia using aged Dominican, Peruvian and Nicaraguan tobaccos giving it a complex center.  The real treat though is the African Cameroon wrapper.  This toothy leaf boasts notes of leather, earth, cinnamon, and pepper, making this one of the most complex cigars of the era.

I’ll have to admit that H.Upmann faced a little bit of a downturn for a few years.  The boutique sector of the industry was in full force, and the new H.Upmann offerings seemed to be lacking a bit.  That is until AJ Fernandez stepped in.  The H.Upmann by AJ helped revitalize the brand and today it has regained its position among the industry’s elite brands.

This smoke is rolled by hand at the AJ Fernandez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.  It uses a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos for the filler and binder, followed by a smooth and flavorful Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  Notes of coffee and nuts combine effortlessly with a dash of spice to create a plethora of rich and complex flavors.

The Grupo de Maestros are among the most knowledgeable and respected blenders in the cigar industry.  They are responsible for some of the best-selling and most popular cigars in industry history, including the modern versions of Montecristo and Romeo.  To celebrate the accomplishments of these titans, AUSA released a special series of Montecristo’s known as the Montecristo Grupo de Maestro.  The tremendous success of this line leads to several follow-ups, including the smooth and creamy H.Upmann Connecticut by Grupo de Maestro.

This cigar is rolled only by chosen rollers at the Tabacalera de Garcia factory.  It uses vintage Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos for the filler and binder, along with a smooth and flawless Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.  Its profile consists of notes of cream, coffee, leather, and a dash of nuts.  This high-end entry into the H.Upmann lineup would lead the way for more to follow.

Here we have the most complex H.Upmann I have ever had the pleasure of smoking.  The Hispanola takes its name from the island home of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  It was made to honor the Mendez family, the primary growers of tobacco for AUSA in the Dominican Republic.  This special blend was meant to showcase the unique tobaccos at their disposal.

The Hispaniola uses special Dominican tobaccos known as Andullo and Pilotico, which helps give it its signature spicy flavor.  The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper adds in touches of earth and coffee, making this a full-bodied, complex but incredibly well-balanced smoke.

This is not only the newest H.Upmann to be released, but also the newest in the AUSA line of cigars that carry the Anejo name.  This cigar is another tremendous step forward for the brand, as it showcases that not only the high-end limited editions can be top notch, but they were also able to create an outstanding, regular production line.

The Anejo is rolled by hand at the company’s Honduran facility, known as Flor de Copan.  It uses a complex blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos for its filler, giving it unrivaled complexity.  Its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is double fermented, which gives is a smooth aroma but also a zesty and fuller flavor profile.

Here we have the crème de la crème.  This is not only one of the best H.Upmann cigars ever made, nor just one of the best AUSA cigars, but this is one of my favorite cigars of all time.  From the blend to the size and the presentation, everything about the 175^th screams excellence and it does a fantastic job honoring this historic brand.

Created to honor the 175^th anniversary of the H.Upmann brand, this cigar was crafted for AUSA by AJ Fernandez. It is a Nicaraguan puro, using tobacco grown exclusively on AJs farms.  What really makes it stand out is the use of a rare, Medio Tiempo wrapper.  This is a solid medium to full-bodied Churchill, with incredible flavor and unbelievable balance.  This is a must-have for any true cigar aficionado.