烏普曼

A German Banker's Cigar Venture in Havana

If Cohiba is the cigar of the revolution, and Hoyo de Monterrey is the cigar of the elegant school, H. Upmann is the cigar of finance and intelligence - a brand founded by a German banker, closely connected to U.S. President Kennedy, and hiding a German intelligence network during World War I. Its story is more compelling than any novel.

The story begins in 1843. Hermann Dietrich Upmann (born May 16, 1816 in Germany) arrived in Havana, originally to handle business for the Bremen, Germany import-export company Gravenhorst & Co. But he saw the explosive potential of the Cuban tobacco industry and decided to stay and start his own venture.

In 1844, Hermann purchased a local cigar factory at 85 San Miguel Street in Havana and officially began producing cigars under the H. Upmann brand. At the same time, he established H. Upmann & Co. Bank - a unique dual-track business model in the cigar industry: cigars with the left hand, banking with the right, with banking clients being cigar merchants and tobacco operators, forming a closed-loop business.

As a result, H. Upmann became one of the oldest surviving Cuban cigar brands - second only to Cabañas (1810), and ranked among the top three alongside Partagás (1845).

The Inventor of the Cedar Box

H. Upmann's most far-reaching contribution to the cigar industry was not only the cigars themselves, but cedar box packaging - something Hermann Upmann invented before opening his factory.

At the time, he was still working as a banker, but he had already recognized the value of the cigar market. He used cedar boxes printed with the H. Upmann name to hold cigars made by other manufacturers, presenting them as "gifts" to banking clients - this was both advertising (clients would see the H. Upmann name on the cedar box countless times) and a form of brand education.

The invention of the cedar box changed the entire cigar industry:

• Humidity retention: Cedar has natural moisture-absorbing properties and can help keep cigars at 65-70% RH
• Antibacterial and mold prevention: Cedar's distinctive aroma helps prevent mold growth
• Long-term aging: Cedar boxes allow cigars to age inside for years or even decades
• Aromatic integration: The aroma of cedar slowly permeates the cigars, giving them a distinctive woody finish

Today, all of the world's top cigars are packaged in cedar boxes - a tradition that began with Hermann Upmann in the 1840s.

H. Upmann later also became one of the first cigar brands to use "aluminium tubes" to preserve individual cigars, a form of packaging still widely used by top cigars today.

7 Gold Medals and the Founder's Signature

Between 1862 and 1893, H. Upmann won 7 gold medals in multiple international cigar competitions (some sources record 11 medals). These awards, together with Hermann Upmann's handwritten signature, are still printed on every H. Upmann cigar box today - the tradition of using the founder's signature as a brand mark began in the cigar industry with H. Upmann.

Hermann Upmann retired in 1890, and his nephew Heinrich Upmann (together with other partners) took over the business. In the early 20th century, Heinrich moved the factory to a larger facility. Hermann died in 1894, and Heinrich died in 1914.

The World War I Intelligence Affair: A Cigar Brand as Spy

The most dramatic chapter in H. Upmann history.

When World War I broke out (1914), a new generation - the brothers Hermann and Albert Upmann - took over the business. They used the banking and cigar operations in Cuba and the United States as cover for a German intelligence network. This is described in detail in historian Jamie Bisher's book The Intelligence War in Latin America, 1914-1922. Intelligence agents were reportedly involved in rebel activities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

In 1917, Cuba declared war on Germany, and all H. Upmann banks were closed for 30 months. In December 1917, the United States placed the company on the "Enemy Trading List". In 1918, the two Upmann brothers were placed under house arrest and were later imprisoned in Havana's La Cabañas Prison.

Albert Upmann claimed in prison that he was only responsible for cigar manufacturing and knew nothing about the banking operations. Fraud charges were later dropped, and he moved to the United States. Hermann Upmann was released on bail of US$100,000, and all criminal charges were dismissed in October 1922. But he lost most of his fortune and his status as a Cuban financial magnate. He died in Havana on September 3, 1925.

In May 1922, the H. Upmann bank and cigar business went bankrupt at the same time. That same year, J. Frankau & Co. (one of H. Upmann's British agents) purchased the H. Upmann cigar brand and factory at auction for 30,000 Cuban pesos, and after three years of negotiations, production resumed.

A Fate Intertwined with Montecristo

In 1935, J. Frankau was acquired by J. R. Freeman & Son. In 1937, the company was sold to the newly established Menéndez, García y Cía - the same company that created Montecristo! J. Frankau retained the sales rights for H. Upmann in the British market.

From then on, the H. Upmann factory became a multi-brand production center: Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Por Larrañaga were all produced there. In 1944, the H. Upmann factory moved to 407 Calle Amistad (its location today) - an address that remains one of Havana's most important cigar factories.

The Cradle of Cohiba

The H. Upmann factory (today's José Martí Factory) has a little-known but extremely important historical role: from 1959 to 1966, the Cohiba cigar brand was in fact produced at the H. Upmann factory - one of the most important historical intersections in the history of Cuban cigars.

Castro's personal cigars, Che Guevara's gifts, and the Cohibas given to world leaders in the early years of the revolution - all were born in the hands of cigar rollers at the H. Upmann factory. It was not until 1966 that Cohiba had its own El Laguito factory.

Today, the H. Upmann factory is still responsible for part of Cohiba production. So the next time you smoke a Cohiba, remember: Cohiba's roots are in the H. Upmann factory.

February 7, 1961: Kennedy's 1,200 Cigars

The most famous anecdote in cigar history features H. Upmann.

On February 7, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was about to sign the Cuban trade embargo. But he himself was a serious cigar enthusiast - especially fond of H. Upmann's Petit Upmanns (referred to in some sources as Petit Coronas).

On the night before the embargo was signed, he sent his press secretary Pierre Salinger to go through every cigar shop in Washington, D.C. and acquire 1,200 Cuban cigars - the majority of them H. Upmann.

At 8 o'clock the next morning, Salinger reported to Kennedy:

"Mission accomplished, Mr. President"

Only after confirming that he had enough H. Upmann cigars - 1,200 of them - did Kennedy sign the embargo.

This story is one of the most dramatic and ironic moments in cigar history - the U.S. President personally ensured his own cigar supply before prohibiting others from buying Cuban goods. It also placed H. Upmann permanently within the cultural history of the American presidency.

Revolution: The Birth of Two H. Upmanns

On September 15, 1960, H. Upmann was nationalized along with the entire Cuban cigar industry. The original factory was renamed José Martí Factory. Menéndez and García left Cuba with both the Montecristo and H. Upmann brands - first to the Canary Islands, and later to the Dominican Republic.

Today:

• Cuban H. Upmann: Produced by Habanos S.A. and sold worldwide (except in the United States)
• Dominican H. Upmann: Produced by the Altadis La Romana factory, mainly for the U.S. market

Today, both brands are owned by the Imperial Brands group - a peculiarity of the cigar industry. Altadis also holds a partial stake in Habanos S.A., so the two versions of H. Upmann ultimately belong to the same group.

Flavor: The German School of Refinement

The positioning of the Cuban version of H. Upmann is very clear: mild to medium, one of the most elegant brands among Cuban cigars.

• Strength: Mild to medium
• Flavor: Cream, cedar, light gingerbread, toffee, brown sugar, cinnamon, light coffee
• Positioning: The "German school of refinement" in Cuban cigars

This differs subtly from the likewise elegant Hoyo de Monterrey (floral notes, honey, cream) - H. Upmann leans more toward "baked sugar aromas" (gingerbread, toffee, brown sugar), making it a cigar well suited to morning coffee.

All Cuban H. Upmann cigars are "totalmente a mano con tripa larga" (entirely handmade, long filler). Machine-made versions were officially discontinued in 2002. All tobacco leaves come from small-batch selections in Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Río Province).

After Altadis acquired a controlling stake in Habanos S.A. in 2002, it streamlined H. Upmann from more than 30 vitolas to 16 (completed in 2006).

Flagship Products: 5 You Should Know

Magnum 46 (5⅝ × 46, vitola: Coronas Gordas) - H. Upmann's flagship medium-ring-gauge Corona Gorda, regarded as the originator of the "Cuban Magnum" concept. Flavors: gingerbread, toffee, brown sugar, chocolate, nuts. The most frequently cited starting point for everyday appreciation.

Magnum 50 (160mm × ring gauge 50) - Introduced in 2005 as an Edición Limitada, this was the first time Habanos S.A. gave an EL limited edition opportunity to a brand outside the "core five major brands" (Cohiba/Montecristo/RyJ/Partagás/Hoyo) - marking H. Upmann's upgrade from a "Multi-local" brand to a "Global" brand. It became regular production in 2008.

Magnum 54 (150mm × 54) was introduced as part of the regular series in 2016; Magnum 56 (150mm × 56) was a 2015 limited edition, and in 2019 appeared as a duty-free exclusive Jar packaging (20 cigars per jar). The Magnum family is the most popular contemporary H. Upmann product line.

Sir Winston (7" × 47, vitola: Julieta No.2, Churchill) - H. Upmann's flagship Churchill format. Churchill never actually smoked this cigar (he was a devotee of Romeo y Julieta), but the brand pays tribute by using Churchill's name. Sir Winston Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011 (introduced in 2017) - H. Upmann's first Gran Reserva cigar, and the brand's most prized limited release.

H. Upmann No.2 (vitola: Pirámides, 6⅛ × 52) - Called "Cuba's Best Kept Secret" by Cigar Aficionado. A Pirámide cigar, produced regularly but often quickly taken up by the market.

What the Chinese-Speaking World Should Know About H. Upmann

For enthusiasts in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the broader Chinese-speaking community, several facts matter:

1. Magnum 46 is the standard choice for an "elegant Cuban Magnum": It can be found in duty-free shops in Taiwan and official retail shops in Hong Kong. Its price is moderate, and it is a benchmark cigar for understanding the elegance of the Corona Gorda format. A cigar well suited to morning coffee.

2. The historical status of Magnum 50: In 2005, it elevated H. Upmann to "Global" brand status - one of the most important moments in the brand's history. For cigar collectors, an aged Magnum 50 (2005 EL version) is an important collectible.

3. No.2 is the choice of the "true insider": Cigar Aficionado called it "Cuba's Best Kept Secret" - meaning: people who truly understand cigars may choose H. Upmann No.2 rather than Montecristo No.2. Its price is relatively approachable, but its flavor complexity does not fall short of the latter.

4. The cultural meaning of the Kennedy story: Those 1,200 H. Upmann cigars in 1961 were "the last Cuban cigars of an American president". This story gives H. Upmann a special position in Chinese-speaking collecting circles - what you are smoking is "the cigar Kennedy chose".

5. The historical coincidence of sharing a factory with Montecristo: Since 1937, the factory at 407 Calle Amistad has produced both H. Upmann and Montecristo. This also explains why the two brands' "family flavors" have subtle similarities - the same cigar rollers, the same craftsmanship, and the same Vuelta Abajo tobacco leaves. Enthusiasts who like Montecristo often also appreciate H. Upmann.

6. Identifying authenticity: H. Upmann cigar boxes must have the printed handwritten signature of Hermann Upmann + 7 gold medals - these two elements are core brand identifiers. Counterfeits often show deviations in the signature strokes or the arrangement of the medals.

Why H. Upmann Is the "Elegant School with the Deepest History"

H. Upmann is not merely a cigar brand; it is part of the craft foundation of the modern cigar industry.

Cedar box packaging, the founder's signature as a brand mark, aluminium tubes for individual cigars, and even the dual-track banking + cigar business model - all of these were pioneered by Hermann Upmann in the 1840s, and every cigar factory uses them today.

For beginners, H. Upmann is one of the easiest entry points into the "elegant school of Cuban cigars" - sweeter than Hoyo de Monterrey, and more sugar-accented than Romeo y Julieta. Magnum 46 is the standard expression through which to enter this brand.

For seasoned enthusiasts, No.2 is Cuba's Best Kept Secret, Magnum 50 is a turning point in modern Cuban cigar history, and Sir Winston Gran Reserva is an ultimate collecting goal.

For those with a factory-director level of Cuban cigar knowledge, H. Upmann has two unique values:

• It is the cradle of Cohiba - from 1959 to 1966, all Cohibas were born in the H. Upmann factory. Every H. Upmann you smoke today connects to that historical period "before Cohiba had its own factory"
• It is the source of all modern cigar packaging craft - cedar boxes, aluminium tubes, and signature marks all originated in the mind of this German banker in the 1840s

Today, 180 years later, Hermann Upmann's signature is still printed on every box of cigars. His bank no longer exists, and his family has left Cuba, but the cigar craft he pioneered continues in every H. Upmann.

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H. Upmann Appreciation at W Cigar Bar

H. Upmann is one of the Cuban cigar brands continuously discussed with enthusiasts at W Cigar Bar (located in Da'an District, Taipei City). The H. Upmann series appreciation experience personally planned by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai - from entry-level regular-production lines to rare Edición Regional and Limitada releases - allows Taipei cigar bar enthusiasts to understand the full brand context in a cigar dining lounge-level appreciation space.

W Cigar Bar works through four formal channels for Cuban cigars: PCC authorized dealer (Pacific Cigar Company), official Cuban state-run stores, Swiss general agent, and Spanish general agent - diversified formal sourcing and multiple authentication chains. This is the key provenance by which cigar enthusiasts in Taiwan identify authenticity. W Cigar Bar also provides aged versions for appreciation and collecting, making it one of the few Da'an District cigar bars with both orthodox Habanos provenance and aging depth as a cigar dining lounge. For H. Upmann enthusiasts:

• Beginners: Experiencing H. Upmann Magnum 46 or Magnum 50 at W Cigar Bar is a Robusto entry point into the world of H. Upmann
• Advanced enthusiasts: W Cigar Bar's VIP cigar cellar service can accommodate collecting Sir Winston Churchill formats and the limited 1844 Aniversario
• Collectors: W Cigar Bar regularly brings in limited Edición Regional and Edición Limitada H. Upmann series

W Cigar Bible (bible.wcigarbar.com) is W Cigar Bar's cigar culture knowledge base, created with full effort by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai, compiling the complete history, craftsmanship, products, and cultural stories of 60+ Cuban and non-Cuban brands.

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© W Cigar Bar｜This article was written and planned by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai｜Located in Da'an District, Taipei City

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