H. UPMANN est.1844

Iskandar Blogger 11:22 AM















H. UPMANN



The H. Upmann Company is amongst the oldest cigar companies in the world. In the 1940's banker Herman Upmann opened a branch in Havana Cuba and sent cigars back to his homeland Europe in cedar cigar boxes and he is credited for starting the modern day cigar box.








In 1844 Herman Upmann realized that his export of cigars could be a business so he bought a local cigar factory and started his own brand. The cigars that were shipped to Europe already had his name on them and the brand name was known. The cigars were a international success and upon entering several exhibitions Herman won medals for his line of cigars. The labels you see back then and today still have those medals on them along with Herman Upmann's signature to insure the quality.





In 1922 Upmann went bankrupt from the bank going under and then the cigar business. A British firm stepped in and bought the cigar factory and kept the line going until 1935 when it was sold to the Menendez, Garcia y Cia Company the makers of the renowned Montecrisco cigars. Garcia continued the brand until the Cuban Revolution. 








In 1962 President John Kennedy ordered the embargo against Cuba but now before ordering up 1200 of the last H. Upmann cigars for himself. Garcia then moved the company to the Canary Islands then finally staking ground in the Dominican Republic. This is where they could produce cigars for the US under the ownership of Altadis SA. The original factory in Cuba was re-opened and still uses the tobacco from Vuelta Abajo region. 




Altadis SA decided to by the controlling share of the Habanos SA and made changes to the H. Upmann line. There were too many sizes that were not profitable so Altadis SA removed all but 16 vitolas and the in 2005 Habanos SA added H. Upmann to its Edicion Limitada release which it had only done for its premier 5 globally distributed brands. Habanos SA brought out a Magnum 50 and H. Upmann was now a global brand.





Today H. Upmann is a world wide renowned cigar brand that brings top quality and recognition just like the old brand from the pre-embargo days when Mr. Upmann was over seeing the operation. When you get the chance try either the US produced or a nice Habana you won't be disappointed.