Vitola: Robusto | Size: 50 ring gauge × 124mm (4⅞″)
The H. Upmann Robustos Edición Limitada 2012 was crafted not just to celebrate tobacco, but to honor history. Released during the XIV Festival del Habano, this Robusto marked the 520th anniversary of tobacco’s arrival in the Old World—a tribute to a moment that changed the course of culture and ritual forever.
Presented in a commemorative case, limited to just 1,000 boxes of 10 cigars, this is a vitola of depth and purpose. The dark, oily wrapper—true to the Edición Limitada line—gleams with the confidence of well-aged Cuban leaf. It’s slightly rustic to the touch, with a soft sheen and fine veins that promise structure and strength.
From the cold draw, this cigar speaks with clarity: **bittersweet leather, peppermint, and herbal spice** greet the palate, a prelude to something more assertive. The initial puffs open with boldness—**spice, charred wood, burnt toast, and the unmistakable Cuban twang**. Smoke pours from the foot, dense and aromatic, while the draw—at times a touch open—delivers an unfiltered rush of flavor.
Into the second third, the blend deepens. **Black pepper and cedar** take center stage, backed by a growing **earthiness and dark espresso**. It’s a robust, full-bodied cigar at this point—one that commands your attention with every draw. The sweetness retreats, replaced by dry complexity and a sharp edge that speaks of youth and strength. If aged, this edge will surely mellow into velvet.
The final third shifts again. A note of **coffee, dry cocoa, and faint citrus** creeps in after a relight—remnants of a progression that might’ve been fuller if uninterrupted. Still, the construction holds steady, and the experience closes on a surprisingly smooth, rich note. **No bitterness, just depth**—a last breath of roasted coffee and charred cedar.
Though this cigar may not wear the polish of a decades-aged classic, it shows promise. Its bold structure, balanced strength, and expressive flavors make it a rewarding smoke for those who don’t mind a little imperfection in exchange for character.
Best paired with a **dark Dominican rum**, or a **smoky Highland Scotch**, the H. Upmann Robustos EL 2012 is not for casual company. This is the kind of cigar you smoke alone, when the city sleeps, and memories creep in with the fog. Not because you’re escaping—but because some cigars are best enjoyed in the quiet moments between stories.
And like the anniversary it was made to commemorate, this cigar reminds us of tobacco’s journey—across oceans, through centuries, into rituals like this—where a flame meets leaf, and silence becomes something sacred.
Ring Gauge: 50 | Length: 124 mm | Count: 25 | Shape: Robusto | Factory Name: Robustos
