AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of silence that falls over a room when a true classic is lit. The H. Upmann Petit Coronas commands this without a word. It is not a cigar of spectacle or volume; it is a study in restraint, a whisper of Havana that has been echoing since before the Revolution. In an era of monster ring gauges and barrel-aged bravado, this 4.5 x 42 vitola feels like a secret handshake—a quiet reminder that the soul of Cuban cigar-making has always lived in the smaller ring, where the blender cannot hide behind smoke. This is the cigar that made the name Upmann synonymous with elegance, and it still carries that weight with an almost aristocratic nonchalance.
The pre-light draw offers a faint, dusty sweetness—like the scent of an old cedar chest left slightly ajar—and a hint of dried hay that promises a pastoral, rather than powerful, journey. The first third delivers on that promise with a startling clarity. A clean, creamy cedar note leads, but it is the supporting cast that reveals the Vuelta Abajo pedigree: toasted bread that tastes of a hearth, not a toaster, and a gentle, almost fragile floral sweetness that evokes dried rose petal rather than perfume. It is a profile that feels both delicate and profound, inviting you to lean in closer rather than sit back. The strength is a mere whisper, a mildness that is not a lack of character but a deliberate choice to let the terroir speak in hushed tones.
As the ash holds its first dense, light-grey column, the second third begins a slow, luxurious deepening. The creaminess thickens into a smooth nougat, a confectionary weight that grounds the smoke. Roasted almond joins the palate, offering a nutty counterpoint, while a whisper of white pepper tingles the retrohale—a gentle, intellectual spice that never once threatens the balance. The cedar remains a constant, structural backbone, but a new dimension emerges: a faint, damp earthiness, like the floor of a forest after rain. It is a grounding note, preventing the blend from floating away into pure confection, and it signals a shift toward the more savory, contemplative territory of the final act.
The final third is where the Petit Coronas reveals its quiet maturity. The leather note arrives not as a heavy hide but as the soft, supple surface of a well-worn glove. Dried grass and a subtle cocoa powder dusting replace the earlier sweetness, while an espresso-like bitterness lingers on the finish, a dark, roasted echo of the opening toast. The strength nudges to the low end of medium, a gentle pulse rather than a surge, and the aftertaste is remarkably clean, leaving only cedar and cream to fade slowly into the air. This is a 45-minute masterclass in narrative arc—a story that begins with a whisper, builds to a thoughtful murmur, and concludes with a satisfied, knowing silence. It is a cigar that demands you listen, and rewards you with the kind of complexity that only comes from a blender who trusts the leaf enough to step aside.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed wrapper, grown in Cuba (Vuelta Abajo) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban long-leaf filler, Vuelta Abajo region, aged at Partagás factory, Havana |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — Partagás Factory (Francisco Pérez Germán) |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 4.5 x 42 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar (Habanos S.A. official retail; market prices vary by region) |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Typically released with minimal aging; benefits from 2–4 years of humidor rest to integrate creaminess and soften any ro |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with a clean, creamy cedar note underpinned by toasted bread and mild hay. A gentle floral sweetness — reminiscent of dried rose petal — lifts the profile and signals classic Vuelta Abajo character. Strength is decidedly mild, inviting and approachable from the first draw.
Second Third
Creaminess deepens into a smooth nougat quality, joined by light roasted almond and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale. Cedar remains a constant backbone while a faint earthiness — damp forest floor — begins to emerge without overwhelming the elegance of the blend.
Final Third
The finish brings richer notes of leather and dried grass, with the sweetness transitioning toward a subtle cocoa powder and espresso dusting. Strength nudges toward the low end of medium but never challenges. Aftertaste is clean, lingering on cedar and cream.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliably tight by H. Upmann's exacting standards — the draw is open and effortless with moderate resistance. The burn is even and self-correcting; ash holds firmly in dense, light grey columns typical of high-quality Cuban leaf.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A lightly aged rum such as Havana Club 3 Años or a gentle single malt like Glenfarclas 10 — nothing peaty or heavily sherried, which would overwhelm the delicate profile
Wine
A dry, unoaked Amontillado Sherry or a light Côtes du Rhône blanc — the nutty, oxidative quality of Amontillado echoes the almond and cedar notes beautifully
Non-Alcoholic
A cortado or a lightly brewed Ethiopian single-origin pour-over — the floral and creamy notes in the coffee mirror the cigar's own character without competing
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of powerful, modern blends—the ones that announce themselves with pepper and strength—and finds themselves reaching for them less and less. You are the smoker who has been at this for a decade, who has chased the dragon of intensity and now finds yourself seeking the opposite: nuance. You are on a Tuesday morning, the house is quiet, and you have exactly 45 minutes before the day's obligations begin. You want a cigar that will not demand your full attention but will reward it when given. You already appreciate the delicate floral notes of a well-aged Trinidad or the creaminess of a RyJ, and you are looking for that same classic Havana character in a format that respects your schedule. This cigar will give you a moment of profound, un-rushed clarity, a gentle reminder of why you fell in love with Cuban tobacco in the first place.
Bottom Line
The H. Upmann Petit Coronas is not just a benchmark; it is the benchmark for small-format Cuban elegance. It is a masterclass in subtlety that belongs in every serious humidor, a cigar that proves complexity does not require strength. Smoke it to remember what restraint tastes like.
Similar Cigars
Explore all H. Upmann cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is H. Upmann Petit Coronas a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is gentle and unobtrusive, allowing you to smoke it on an empty stomach without feeling overwhelmed. It provides a calm, focused sensation rather than a heady rush, making it an ideal morning or early afternoon smoke where clarity is preferred over a heavy buzz.
What does H. Upmann Petit Coronas taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression of classic Vuelta Abajo notes. The first third opens with creamy cedar, toasted bread, and a dried rose petal floral sweetness. The second third deepens into smooth nougat, roasted almond, and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale. The final third introduces soft leather, dried grass, and a subtle cocoa powder with an espresso dusting on the finish.
How long does H. Upmann Petit Coronas take to smoke?
Given its Petit Corona vitola and specific dimensions of 4.5 inches by a 42 ring gauge, you should expect a smoking time of approximately 45 minutes. This is a short-format cigar designed for a focused session, and it should not be rushed; the slow burn is integral to experiencing its flavor transitions.
What is the best pairing for H. Upmann Petit Coronas?
A dry, unoaked Amontillado Sherry is the ideal companion. The wine's naturally nutty and oxidative character directly echoes the cigar's roasted almond and cedar notes, creating a harmonious resonance. Its dryness also cleanses the palate effectively, ensuring the delicate creaminess of the cigar is not masked by any residual sweetness.
Is H. Upmann Petit Coronas good for beginners?
While its Mild-Medium strength is approachable, the $12–$18 per cigar price point makes it a significant investment for a novice still exploring their palate. A beginner who is willing to focus on subtle flavors rather than bold ones will find it an excellent teacher, but it may be more prudent to start with less expensive cigars to develop a baseline before appreciating the finesse of this blend.
Where can I buy H. Upmann Petit Coronas?
As a premium Cuban cigar, it is available through official Habanos S.A. distributors and their authorized retailers worldwide. Outside of Cuba, this typically means specialist cigar shops that are licensed to sell Cuban products. You can also find them through reputable online retailers that operate within the legal framework of your country. Be wary of unauthorized sources, as authenticity is paramount.
What is the price of H. Upmann Petit Coronas?
The official Habanos S.A. retail price is between $12 and $18 per cigar. However, market prices can vary significantly by region due to local taxes, import duties, and supply chain logistics. You may find them priced higher in markets with heavy tobacco taxation, or closer to the lower end in duty-free or origin markets.
Is H. Upmann Petit Coronas worth aging?
Yes, absolutely. While it is released with minimal aging and is enjoyable fresh, it benefits immensely from 2–4 years of humidor rest. This period allows the inherent creaminess to integrate more fully with the cedar and earth notes, softening any remaining youthful edges and creating a more cohesive, seamless smoking experience. The floral sweetness will also evolve into a deeper, more complex perfume.
What wrapper does H. Upmann Petit Coronas use?
It uses a Cuban-seed wrapper, grown in Cuba (Vuelta Abajo). This specific wrapper, in a Colorado shade, is the primary source of the cigar's signature creamy cedar and subtle floral sweetness. It is a silky leaf with a subtle sheen that contributes to the elegant, refined character of the blend, providing a perfect canvas for the long filler beneath.
Where is H. Upmann Petit Coronas made?
It is made in Havana, Cuba, at the legendary Partagás Factory, under the supervision of Francisco Pérez Germán. It is hand-rolled totalmente a mano, using the tripa larga (long filler) method. This specific factory and the skill of its torcedores are integral to the cigar's consistently tight construction and even burn, which are hallmarks of its production quality.