H.Upmann

Year of foundation: 1844
Tobacco Country: Cuba
Tobacco Procedence: Vuelta Abajo
Factory: H. Upmann

One of the oldest cigar brand in Cuba, established in 1844 by Herman Upmann, a German banker. H. Upmann was notably the first one to sell his cigars in imprinted cedar boxes as advertisement for his brand. The success came quick as the brand got recognition by being awarded seven gold medals in seven international exhibitions in the second half of the 19th century; these gold medals are still visible on the inside of the each H.Upmann box.
The now discontinued H.Upmann Petit Upmann (also known as Demi Tasse) was the favourite cigar of US President John F. Kennedy, who famously had all the possible stock of Petit Upmann purchased in the Washington D.C. area by his aide on the night before he signed the embargo on all Cuban products. There is also a Dominican H.Upmann cigar brand that was started after the Cuban revolution. However, the original brand is Cuban H.Upmann that is mentioned here.
The cigars are still rolled until today in the original H.Upmann (now renamed José Martí) factory using tobacco from the premium Vuelta Abajo region, and they are known to be mild to medium strength. The best sellers from H.Upmann are the H.Upmann Half Coronas, the H.Upmann No.2, the H.Upmann Magnum 50 and H.Upmann Magnum 54.