The H. Upmann Regalias is the latest addition to the Linea Retro, joining the Romeo y Julieta Club Kings and the Partagas Capitols, which placed in our 2020 Awards. While they all share the same Marevas size and are packaged in metal tins, that’s where the commonalities end.
The Regalias, compared to the other two cigars, is not a discontinued cigar (it also comes in 25-count boxes), and the package is not inspired by the tins of years past.
Visually, the cigar is rolled in a Colorado shaded wrapper that has quite some sheen to it. There are no large veins present, and the filling is generous, almost too much. The draw is tighter than expected but still manageable.
- Country of Origin: Cuba
- Size: 42 x 129 mm (5.125″)
- Wrapper: Cuba
- Binder: Cuba
- Filler: Cuba
- Price: $ – | € 7.8
H. Upmann Regalias:Â the cold draw brings woody and nutty aromas to the palate. Once the cigar is properly lit, it opens with almonds, wood, and spice.
The flavors of almonds, wood, and spices, mainly white pepper, carry into the first third. There is some sweetness present, but that has faded further into this third. Strength is close to being medium (2.5/5).
The almond flavor has vanished, and notes of earth have taken its place. An espresso aroma appears as well, next to the wood and white pepper. There is an underlying bitterness present throughout the second third and the smoke drys out the palate. Strength is now medium (3/5).
The cigar takes a turn for the worse in the last third. While the flavors are much the same, the bitterness starts to become sharper and unpleasant, covering most of the profile. The dry smoke isn’t helping either. Strength remains unchanged.
Overall, the youth of the H. Upmann Regalias is quite apparent. While the profile, in the first half of the smoke, is true to the brand, it is far from being ready to smoke. Another point that doesn’t factor into the final rating, but is worth mentioning, is that the regular production Regalias (the one packaged in boxes) is cheaper and not just by a couple of cents. The other head-scratcher is that this is marketed as a Linea Retro product, but there is nothing Retro about this. Not the cigar and neither the packaging. If you are more of a collector, this is something worth getting, not for the cigar but for the tins, which are still pretty and well made. For every other smoker, I would suggest to buy the 25-count boxes.