I. The Banker Family and Its Origins with the BSM Factory

The H. Upmann brand was founded in 1844 by the German banker Hermann Upmann. When he opened a bank branch in Havana, he also established a cigar factory, initially presenting finely boxed cigars to business partners and laying the foundation for the brand's status as a gift in diplomatic settings.

After several changes of ownership, the brand was transferred in 1937 to the Menéndez y García family, which also produced Montecristo during the same period. This history created a deep overlap in tobacco resources and factory techniques between the two brands. After the Cuban Revolution, it was nationalized in the 1960s. The brand is now produced under Habanos S.A. by the Briones Montoto Suárez factory (factory code BSM). Located in central Havana, BSM is one of Cuba's six major cigar factories and is also widely recognized as one of the facilities with the most stable craftsmanship standards.

BSM is especially strict in its quality control requirements for the Piramide format. The three-layer cap work on the Cabeza (head) of No.2 must be executed with absolute precision to ensure an even burn as it extends from the tapered tip toward the wider body. Nonconforming pieces are removed within the factory, so every H. Upmann No.2 that reaches the market has already passed an invisible quality checkpoint before leaving the factory.

II. Specification Analysis: The Physical Aesthetics of a 156mm x 52 Piramide

The distinctive feature of the Piramide format is that the "cross-sectional area of smoke" perceived in the mouth gradually increases as the cigar burns: the narrow opening at the head is about 40 ring gauge, while the middle section expands to the full 52 ring gauge. This means the early flavor is more restrained, as if the cigar is warming up in quiet composure. Entering the middle and final sections, the layers of tobacco fully unfold, with sweetness, spices, and woody undertones emerging in waves, forming a sense of depth that a Parejo cannot replicate.

The Wrapper is a Cuban native deep brown natural leaf, while the Binder and Filler are both selected from premium farms in Vuelta Abajo. The color range runs from Colorado Claro to Colorado, with a fine oily sheen and faint veins visible under light. This is a visual characteristic of fully aged tobacco leaves.

III. Flavor Profile: A Three-Movement Sonata

Cigar Aficionado included H. Upmann No.2 in its 2022 Top 25, calling it "one of the most worthwhile Piramides in the Cuban world for careful appreciation." Its flavors unfold in three stages:

First Stage (First Third)

After lighting, clear notes of toasted bread and butter appear first, accompanied by a hint of white pepper spice, creating in the mouth a gentle sense of anticipation for what is about to unfold. The smoke texture is delicate and belongs to Medium Body, making it suitable as an introductory experience for regular cigar smokers who have not yet encountered the Piramide format.

Second Stage (Middle Section)

This is the most dramatically expressive part of No.2. As the ring gauge widens and the tobacco layers fully open, a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasted walnut emerges in succession, with a mineral sense of salted almond underneath. If the burn line is as straight as a ruler, it is the most direct proof of the BSM torcedor's skill. At this point, the smoke density rises noticeably, and the aroma filling the room carries a warm woody sweetness.

Third Stage (Final Third)

The sweetness gradually deepens, moving into a finish of warm brown sugar, leather, and lightly roasted coffee. The conclusion of No.2 does not pursue forceful stimulation, but instead leaves a rich yet unaggressive aftertaste for reflection. This kind of "banker-like" restraint is precisely the core character of the brand over the past 180 years.

IV. Appreciation Technique: Special Handling Points for Piramide

Cut: A Piramide requires more precision than a Parejo. It is recommended to use a straight guillotine cutter and make a horizontal cut about 2-3mm above the widest part of the head (that is, the shoulder before the taper begins). A V-cut is usually not ideal on a Piramide, as the depth is difficult to control and can easily cause the structure to loosen.

Lighting: Use a butane jet lighter to first toast the foot, rotating evenly while heating, then light it with a gentle warm flame to ensure the wide foot of the Piramide ignites evenly. Do not rush the first two puffs with large draws. Let the tobacco leaves first open at a medium temperature, so the creamy layer in the early section can deliver steadily.

Rhythm: A Piramide requires more breathing intervals than a Robusto. It is recommended to take one puff every 60-90 seconds, allowing the tobacco temperature to remain in the optimal burn range of about 50°C and avoiding bitterness caused by overheating, especially in the section where the tobacco density is highest in the middle.

Pairing Suggestions: The creamy and spicy profile of No.2 is best suited to Sherry Cask-aged Single Malt (such as Macallan 12-15 years) or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee. The latter's floral aroma and fruity acidity can echo the light floral nuance in the middle section of No.2, forming a complementary balance.

V. Collection Perspective: The Scarcity of Piramide and Resting Suggestions

Compared with mass-production formats such as Partagás Serie D No.4 or Montecristo No.4, the Piramide format has always accounted for a relatively low proportion of Cuban cigar production quotas. Its production process is complex and the quality-control rejection rate is higher, resulting in limited factory output. In Taiwan's PCC (Pacific Cigar Company) authorized allocation channels, H. Upmann No.2 is a seasonal replenishment item rather than regular in-stock inventory.

If there is an opportunity to acquire a box (standard box of 25), it is recommended to let the cigars rest for at least 3 months in an environment of 69-71% humidity and 18-20°C, allowing residual fermentation ammonia in the tobacco leaves to dissipate fully. After sufficient resting, No.2 will show a fuller creaminess, and the fineness of its spice layers will also improve noticeably. This is a private insight many experienced enthusiasts do not readily share.

Conclusion

H. Upmann No.2 is not a cigar for showing off. It is a cigar for careful appreciation in solitude. The German precision that the banker brought into Havana when he founded the business, the final layer of cap glue applied by the artisans of the BSM factory to the tapered head, and the long river of time spanning 156mm. Every puff of No.2 is a quiet yet clear statement of configuration.

On the private-room windowsill of a gentlemen's club, or on a memorable evening alone, light an H. Upmann No.2 for yourself. Give it 90 minutes, and it will return to you a three-movement sonata of taste.

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Stock sources: Cuban cigars from four major official channels (PCC authorized dealers, official Cuban state-run stores, Swiss general agent, Spanish general agent).

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W Cigar Bar Gentlemen's Cigar Lounge, written and planned by Cigar Prince Wilson Tsai.