H. Upmann cigars have a rich and complex history. The brand faced a series of misfortunes due to its association with German intelligence operations. In 1916, Hermann and Alberto Upmann were suspected of supporting revolts in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. When Cuba declared war on Germany in 1917, the Upmann Bank closed for over two years, and the company was on the “U.S. Enemy Trading” list with its U.S. assets seized. In 1922, the brothers were convicted of bank fraud due to shady foreign - currency trading and Mexican oil investments, bankrupting the company.
J. Frankau & Co in the U.K. bought the brand and revived it in the mid - 1920s. In 1935, it was sold to Menendez, Garcia y Cia, who produced H. Upmann until 1960. After the Castro regime nationalized the Cuban tobacco industry, Menendez y Garcia moved production first to the Canary Islands and then to the Dominican Republic. Now, Altadis U.S.A. produces H. Upmann cigars there. Cuban H. Upmann cigars are made in Havana by Habanos, S.A.