AshMap
Overview
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona represents a lineage stretching back to the brand's founding in 1844, a moment when Cuban craftsmanship established what would become one of the world's most respected cigar houses. Today, under the stewardship of General Cigar Company, the 1844 Classic line carries that heritage into the modern era—not as a nostalgic artifact, but as a working tool for the discerning smoker. This Petit Corona, measuring 4.5 inches by 42 ring gauge, embodies a philosophy that has grown increasingly rare in contemporary cigardom: restraint as a virtue.
What distinguishes the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona is its unwavering commitment to balance and consistency. The construction—hand-rolled at the Casa de Campo facilities in La Romana—delivers a draw that is effortless yet firm, anchored by tobaccos aged a minimum of two years before rolling. The Dominican filler from the Cibao Valley, blended with a Dominican binder and finished in a silky Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper, creates a flavor arc that unfolds with purposeful clarity. The opening presents creamy cedar and toasted almond backed by delicate hay sweetness; the middle third introduces white pepper and dry oak with whispers of dried apricot; the finish settles into toasted bread crust and lingering earthiness. At no point does this cigar overreach.
In a market often seduced by boldness and provenance, the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona occupies an undervalued position—which is precisely where serious collectors have always found their greatest pleasures. This is not a cigar engineered to impress; it is a cigar engineered to satisfy. The mild-to-medium strength profile (2/5) and 30-to-40-minute smoking time make it accessible without sacrificing the complexity that separates genuine craftsmanship from commodity production. At $8–$12 per stick, it offers genuine Dominican elegance at an everyday price point. For those who understand that the best luxury is often the most unassuming, this cigar speaks fluently.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Connecticut Shade-grown — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic blend — aged long-leaf Dominican tobaccos from the Cibao Valley |
| Country of Origin | Dominican Republic (La Romana, Casa de Campo — General Cigar facilities) |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 4.5 x 42 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of two years prior to rolling; additional box aging recommended for 3–6 months to integrate flav |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with creamy cedar and toasted almond, backed by a delicate hay sweetness characteristic of aged Dominican filler. Light floral notes emerge on the retrohale, giving the cigar an elegant, approachable entry with good complexity for the price point.
Second Third
Transitions into a more defined profile of white pepper, dry oak, and a subtle creaminess that coats the palate. A whisper of dried apricot and mild vanilla add a pleasant sweetness without veering saccharine, while the draw delivers consistent, cool smoke.
Final Third
The body tightens slightly with toasted bread crust and a lingering earthiness. Light leather notes emerge alongside a clean, medium-length finish with residual cedar and almond. Strength remains composed and never crosses into aggressive territory.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliably consistent given General Cigar's quality control standards — the draw is effortless with a slightly firm resistance ideal for a small ring gauge, and the burn line holds near-perfect with a firm, gray-white ash that holds an inch or more before releasing.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light single malt Scotch (Auchentoshan Three Wood or Glenfiddich 12) or a mild aged rum such as Bacardí Reserva Ocho; bourbon works well if kept to lighter expressions like Woodford Reserve
Wine
A crisp, unoaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or an off-dry Viognier from the Rhône Valley; avoid tannic reds that overpower this mild profile
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian coffee — pour-over preferred — or a lightly sweetened English Breakfast tea with milk to complement the creaminess
Who Should Smoke This?
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona is ideal for aficionados seeking a refined morning or early-afternoon smoke—a cigar that doesn't demand undivided attention yet rewards it generously. It serves as an excellent introduction for newer smokers or those transitioning from milder profiles, offering enough complexity to educate without overwhelming. Experienced collectors return to it precisely because it knows its place: neither a statement cigar nor a palate-cleanser, but an honest, well-crafted smoke perfect for those moments when elegance matters more than intensity. Its 30–40 minute duration makes it ideal between commitments or as an accessible anchor in longer smoking sessions.
Bottom Line
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona is a masterclass in understated refinement—a cigar that delivers clean, consistent Dominican elegance at a price that makes keeping a box in rotation an obvious decision. For the serious smoker, it is the quintessential morning cigar, and that is precisely the compliment it deserves.
Similar Cigars
Explore all H. Upmann 1844 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona a strong cigar?
No. With a strength rating of 2 out of 5 (Mild-Medium), this is a gentle smoke designed for restraint rather than power. The flavor remains composed throughout and never ventures into aggressive territory, making it ideal for morning smoking or extended sessions.
What does the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona taste like?
The opening features creamy cedar and toasted almond with delicate hay sweetness and light floral notes. The middle transitions to white pepper, dry oak, and subtle creaminess with hints of dried apricot and mild vanilla. The finish settles into toasted bread crust, earthiness, light leather, and lingering cedar—clean and medium-length throughout.
How long does the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona take to smoke?
At 4.5 inches by 42 ring gauge, this Petit Corona delivers approximately 30–40 minutes of smoking time, making it perfect for a morning or early-afternoon break between commitments.
What is the best pairing for the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona?
Light single malts such as Auchentoshan Three Wood or Glenfiddich 12 complement the cigar beautifully, as do mild aged rums like Bacardí Reserva Ocho. For wine, try crisp, unoaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or off-dry Viognier from the Rhône Valley. Non-alcoholic options include medium-roast Colombian coffee (pour-over preferred) or English Breakfast tea with milk.
Is the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona good for beginners?
Yes. Its mild-medium strength, approachable flavor profile, and consistent construction make it an excellent introduction cigar for newer aficionados. It offers enough complexity to educate without overwhelming, and its manageable size and time commitment reduce intimidation.
Where can I buy the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona?
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona is widely available through authorized retailers specializing in premium cigars. Availability varies by region and retailer, so contacting local tobacconists or established online cigar merchants is recommended.
What is the price of the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona?
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona typically retails between $8–$12 per cigar, positioning it as an exceptional value for hand-rolled Dominican construction and consistent quality.
Is the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona worth aging?
Yes. While tobaccos are aged a minimum of two years before rolling, additional box aging of 3–6 months is recommended to integrate flavors more fully and allow the blend to develop greater complexity and harmony.
What wrapper does the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona use?
The cigar is finished in a shade-grown Honduran Connecticut wrapper with a Colorado Claro color, featuring a light golden-tan hue, silky texture, and minimal veining. This classic wrapper selection complements the Dominican filler and binder.
Where is the H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona made?
The H. Upmann 1844 Petit Corona is hand-rolled at Casa de Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic, under General Cigar Company's production standards. The filler and binder are Dominican, blended from aged long-leaf tobaccos sourced from the Cibao Valley.