3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars tested

3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars tested: The boxing date is JUL 20, so when I tested the first two in December 2020 (and I didn't know the boxing date), I thought it might be SEP 20. So I was very surprised today that the cigars were already boxed in July of last decade.

So HOLLA - that's a really fantastically composed cigar! I love the retro design of the tins. I'm tasting the third one as I write this post. The format is Petit Coronas. These new cigars will be available from 15 January 2021 in the Swiss Casa del Habano and from Friday 22 January 2021 in Habanos Specialist Shops. (Note: The cigars are also available in a box of 25). So, and now follows my enjoyment of the 3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars in the test.

The line is presented here >

Tins and box: 3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars tested

If you buy 10 tins of 5 cigars each, you should ask the retailer whether he will also supply you with the wooden box. This is important because the box has the boxing date on it. This is not on the tins.

I normally describe a cigar in technical terms. Consequently, it is not a pleasure smoke, but a technical smoke. The differences are huge. The pleasure smoke is self-explanatory. The technical smoke, on the other hand, is characterised by a focus on different directions. I check many different aspects of the cigar using the Zigarren.Zone Tasting Tool. You can download this tool free of charge:

About the 3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars in the test

• 5 cigars per tin
• Format: Petit Coronas (ring 42 x 129 mm long)
• Per can CHF 63
• Boxing Date (BD): JUL 20
• Buy a cigar: Google Search > ATTENTION: Make sure that it is the RETRO can line.

Today a pleasure smoke with this already very good H. Upmann Regalias Retro

I describe the details in more detail in the conclusion. At this point I would like to give you this information: In my personal opinion, this cigar has a high ageing potential. 3 years recommended minimum ageing time in the tin and humidor.

What is „retronasal“? In the 3 top cigars Upmann Regalias Retro in the test

Retronasal cigar enjoyment enhances the flavour. What it is, why it works and how to do it please read here. Take a look at the ZiZo vacuum technology in particular. Incredible enhancement of cigar enjoyment!

What is the „R+ ZiZo vacuum technology“?

With this technique, the Illusione Fume d'Amour Conceptions achieves wonderful flavour aromas: pepper (just the right amount) and burning wood are the two impressions that immediately struck me. This is the consummate pleasure of a cigar. How do you do the R+ technique? Difficult to describe. I'll give it a try. Here's an example: a baby sucking on a dummy.

Try this technique with a cigar. Very little smoke enters the mouth. But it passes over the tongue and goes straight through the nose. I tried it with about 10 cigars before I mastered it. Please be very careful with this technique when practising: the smoke hit the back of my larynx several times. That was really bad. But now that I can do it, it's a perfect technique for enjoying a cigar.

What is umami?

This means „savouriness“, „spicy“, „essence“, „meaty“. This mixture of taste sensations is perceived on the centre of the tongue. You can find a good article about this on Wikipedia. The Illusione Fume d'Amour Conceptions has a hint of pepper and light roasted flavours of well roasted meat as well as juicy... yes, that describes it quite accurately.

Recommended ageing: In the tin for at least 3 years in the humidor. It is better to keep the humidity a little lower, for example at 68%/69% instead of 72%. The hygrometers normally show too much humidity rather than too little. Cuban cigars tend to prefer slightly less humidity during storage.

Non Cuba cigars and the important acclimatisation process

The Illusione Fume d'Amour Conceptions can be enjoyed immediately after purchase. Nevertheless, my tip: The fact is that you don't know when the cigar was imported and how long it rested with the importer. You also don't know how long the resting period was at the retailer. The cigars have a shock after being transported from the tropics to us in Europe. They have to acclimatise first. The industry is sales-orientated. The cigars have to be sold quickly. Therefore, they may not taste as they should. I recommend a general acclimatisation period in your humidor of at least 2 weeks after purchase. Depending on the brand and series, even longer, which I emphasise in this article.

If you buy single copies

Buy at least 3 individual copies of Illusione Fume d'Amour Conceptions. But preferably the whole box. Nevertheless, my tip: put the cigar with the cellophane in the humidor. If your cigar does not have cellophane: Put them in tubos and then in the humidor. Or you can put the individual cigars in a Zippo bag and put a small Boveda inside. You then seal it and place it in the humidor. Cigars that are stored open without cellophane or a box lose their flavour very quickly. This is demonstrated in this article with experiments.

Conclusion of the 3 top Upmann Regalias Retro cigars in the test

The first one had a rolling fault. The slow-burning part slipped outwards when rolling. As a result, there was a heavy crooked burn, which I often had to correct with the flame. However, the flavour of the cigar did not suffer.

The second sample had too much draw resistance. However, I didn't see this as a fault of the cigar, but because the tobacco was already at work. The recommended minimum ageing period of 3 years will do the cigars good. The third sample had optimum draw resistance.

I really liked the composition of this cigar. Wood, leather, forest floor, a great portion of cocoa and acidity (pleasant). Retronasal super roasted flavours of wood. With the R+ ZiZo vacuum technology, the cigar literally exploded into 1 million espresso beans.

HALLLOO?!!! Sensational!

So, if they're from July 2020 and still taste so good now, what kind of ageing potential do they have? Brilliant. The strength is 3/5. During the course of the smoke, all three specimens became a little snappy and bitchy. This is no fault of the cigar. Because now you can tell that it needs its time to mature.

Buy recommendation: Yes, please. Several tins of it! Buy a cigar: Google Search > I bought 5 cans.