The H. Upmann Magnum 50 Gran Reserva offers a balanced, medium-bodied experience with evolving notes of cedar, sweetness, and warmth—an unforgettable cigar best enjoyed slowly and thoughtfully.
Hello dear reader,
There’s something sacred about slow Sundays, the kind where the light comes in just right and you have no place to be. That’s when I lit up the H. Upmann Magnum 50 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2019. I’d set the afternoon aside for it, knowing this cigar deserved attention, not distraction. It’s not every day you sit with a cigar that carries this much legacy, adorned with black and gold, holding five years of carefully aged tobacco inside. This was an experience, and one worth pausing the world for.
The Gran Reserva That Had a Journey of Its Own
Before diving into the cigar itself, it’s worth remembering how far the Magnum 50 has come. It started as a Limited Edition back in 2005, an experiment with promise. Its success was undeniable, so it earned a permanent spot in H. Upmann’s regular production. And now, it returns in its most elegant form yet: the Gran Reserva Cosecha 2019.
Everything about this cigar speaks to patience. The wrapper, binder, and filler have all been aged for at least five years so a promise for a wonderful experience has been made. This isn’t about innovation, like we see the industry fighting to incorporate. It’s about refinement. About taking something excellent and letting it become even better.
Visually, the cigar is stunning. The 50 ring gauge over 160mm of length gives it presence without being imposing. But it’s the Gran Reserva band, with its black and gold elegance, that tells you this cigar plays in a different league. The wrapper is rich and somewhat oily, without a single imperfection, clearly hand-selected. You feel it before you even light it: this is something special.
From the first draw, the cigar opens with perfect cedar—clean, crisp, and deeply satisfying. But what’s most impressive isn’t just the flavor, it’s the balance. Medium-bodied, yes, but layered in such a way that each puff feels deliberate. There’s no aggression here, only grace. The burn is flawless, the draw open yet firm so you know it’s there.
As the cigar develops, so does the flavor. That cedar note doesn’t disappear—it evolves. It begins to sweeten subtly, joined by gentle hints of spices, typical for aged cuban tobbaco. The smoke becomes creamier, richer, and yet still stays incredibly refined. This moment is where the cigar truly shines: never overpowering, always composed.
The final stretch brings a quiet crescendo. A bit more depth, a touch of leather, a whisper of toasted sugar… I immediately thought to my self.. Mmm RUM! But it never strays from its identity. It doesn’t try to surprise you. It simply delivers on what it promised, elegance. The ash holds beautifully, and the finish is long, clean, and satisfying. No bitterness, no sharp edges, just a proper ending to a beautiful story.
What to Pair With a Gran Reserva
A cigar like this deserves thoughtful company. If you're leaning toward something spirited, try a Maple Old Fashioned, where the subtle sweetness compliments the evolving profile of the cigar. Or pour a neat Havana Club Unión, which brings enough depth to walk alongside the Magnum 50 without stepping on it.
On the non-alcoholic side, a smooth bergamot tea offers a refined, floral counterpoint. But for me, the ultimate non-alcoholic pairing would be a strong coffee with two Medjool dates. The sweetness of the dates, the bitterness of the coffee, and the delicacy of the cigar, a match made in “HavanaHeaven”.
Is this A Cigar Worth Chasing?
Well, this cigar is rare, and rightfully so. The Gran Reserva line is never about volume. It’s about excellence. Market value reflects that, and finding one might take some effort, but it’s effort well spent. It’s a cigar you don’t just collect, you sit down with it, you listen to it, and you remember why you fell in love with cigars in the first place.
I smoked the H. Upmann Magnum 50 Gran Reserva on a quiet Sunday afternoon. I lit it with intention, I stayed with it through every moment, and I finished it with a deep sense of satisfaction. It's not a cigar for noise or for multitasking. It’s a cigar for pausing, for reflecting, and for remembering that great cigars don’t shout, they speak gently and leave a lasting impression.
Wishing you rich flavors and good company—until we meet again.