Let's cut to the chase - this Barber Pole Churchill from H. Upmann is like finding a perfectly aged bourbon in your grandpa's cellar. Priced around $220 for a box of 25, this 7x50 Dominican puro comes dressed in a Connecticut/Sumatra twist wrapper that's as eye-catching as its flavor profile. I've had mine resting at 65% RH for six months, and boy does it deliver.
Key Specifications
- Brand: H. Upmann
- Price: $219.38/box
- Size: Churchill (7" x 50 RG)
- Strength: Medium (⚡⚡⚡⚡)
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut & Sumatra-Seed
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Dominican Republic
Smoke Session Breakdown
First Third
- Cold draw: Almond butter & cedar shavings
- Initial smoke: Creamy cashew notes with white pepper retrohale
- Burn: Razor-sharp with salt-and-pepper ash
Middle Third
- Flavor shift: Burnt caramel meets espresso grind
- New elements: Cinnamon stick & wet limestone minerality
- Construction: Slight canoeing requires one touch-up
Final Third
- Peak complexity: Roasted hazelnuts & aged leather combo
- Nicotine kick: Noticeable but not overwhelming (medium-full)
- Aftertaste: Lingering baking spices for 20+ minutes
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Montecristo No.2: 6.1" x 52 - More cocoa bitterness
- Bolivar Royal Corona: 4.9" x 48 - Stronger pepper finish
- Flor de Cano Grandiosos: 6.3" x 47 - Lighter honey sweetness
- Partagás E No.1: 5.6" x 54 - Heavier coffee roast profile
Tobacco Terroir Insights
- Wrapper origin: Ecuadorian volcanic soil
- Filler blend: Olor/Piloto cross from Cibao Valley
- Aging process: 18-month barrel fermentation
Cellar Recommendations
- Prime smoking window: 3-5 years post-box date
- Ideal storage: 65% RH with Spanish cedar dividers
- Pro tip: Rotate quarterly to prevent wrapper seam stress
